Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-03-17

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TAD THREW HIMSELF on ALL EoCRs.
upon the would-be robber. regardless
Of personal safety. etc But. instead.
resorting TO a device not unknown 10
play 9ul youth in moments Of extreme
ailarity, he threw himself on all fours
directly in front OF the flying feet of the
fraudulent feloni
Utterng a wild whoop Of dismav. Mr..
Jones plunged with outstretched arms
over Tad's PROSTATE body and struck
the wharf with such startling sudden
ness that the tin case flew from his
fingers and was Immediately seized by
Tad, who had scrambled to his feet in
twinkling, though only n second OF
two sooner than the active Jones HIM
self. who, taking to his heels with the
speed POLITICALLY attributed to the
startled fawn. was quickly lost 20 sight
among the surrounding drays and ex-
press-wagons.
Without his hat, and in a very bewil-
dered frame Of mind. Captain Jethro
Flarg rolled heavily around the corner
of the pile Of cotton bales. Following
him at suitable intervals came breath
less Polly, astonished G. Washington
johnson and the remainder OF the
sMary J's'' crew. including the chief
mate-all comprehended in the lengthy
person of Ephraim X. Small. otherwise
known as "Eph."
Tad's honest face shone with pleas
urable excitement rs he handed the tin
box to Captain Flagg. and began brush
ing his dusty knees, while Polly Flagg
smiled her appreciation
MY lad." said Captain Flagg. Plac-
ing his big hand Oh Tad's shoulder, ''it'H
nigh eight bells-come along and have
some dinner Wen talk over matters
aboard the vessel"
An invitation of this sort-particu-
larly under all the circumstances. was
not to be refused, and Tad, recovering
the sachel from It's hiding-place among
the cotton bales, accompanied Cap
tain Flagg ON board of the MARY
j." where mutual explanations fol-
lowed, while George Washington was
bringing the dinner into the small
cabin.
In contributing his own share, Tad
insensibly told the most Of his simple
story, after which Polly Flagg. with
sparkling eyes, related her morning adj
venture and Tad's connection there
with; hearing which, Captain Jethrc
| graveIy shook hands with Tad across
the table, without speaking Indeed.
he finished his dinner in like silence,
and. after pushing his chair back sal
staring so hard at the youth that Tad
began to feel very hot and uncomforta-
BILE.
MY lad" suddenly said the Captain,
(which way might you be cal'lHtin' tc
steer2 Is IL bout ship. and put bach
to Philadelphy. or" continued tht
speaker. rising to fanciful heights. - Il
it dead before the wind TO whatever
port promises the best freights and big
gest profts9" With dim comprehen-
sion Of Captain Flagg's meaning. Tad,
conscious Of n slight choking in hi,
throat, replied sadly that he didn't
know-he had no mother. no friends,
no home, and Il didn't matter much
where he went or what became Of him.
Polly's eyes shone sympathetically. and
the Captains voice was quite husky
when, "A little later. he replied TO Tad !
respondent answer.
1T mayn't matter much TO you.
Tad" he said, very tenderly and rev.
erently. "but 1t matters c'nsider' BILE To
Him that's watchin' you from up aloft,
for IL He hadn't some sort Of slilin'
orders for you, He never'd "a sOt you
adrift on this here sea Of life. Now.
my lad," Captain Flagg continued.
impressively, ''only for your overhaul
in and runnin' down that privateerin'
chap under false colors. I'd have lost
the ships papers. and nigh forty dol
lars in clean cash. 10 say nothin' Of the
good turn you did Polly here. this
mornin', which amt like to forget.
And. summin' II all up" said the Cap
tain. patting blushing Tad ON the
shoulder. 1--WE made up my mind 10
give you
mo. sir" interrupted Tad. with n
decisive shake Of the head. II didn't
want any thing for what I've done
ITO give you--a chance aboard the
MARY J.,"-'to be-e-e-e u gallant
sail-yer bo-o-o-o-y.' Trolling out the
concluding words. which were n re-
miniscence Of some old sea-song. in n
deep voice, that might have come from
his cavernous boots. tho Captain leaned
back in his chair. and bcamed
benevolently upon TaG who did not
Ieem quite as much overcome by the
magnitude Of the offer as one might at
irst suppose.
I'm ever so much obliged, Capt'n
Flagg," faltcred Tad. conscious that
Polly was waiting for his answer. with
look Of pleased expectancy in her
bright face. but I'm afraid'-
That you'll be sea-slckp Oh. that's
nothing-you'll get right overit. broke
n Polly. with impetuous assurances.
And so well assured did bothfIthcr and
laughter seem to feel that Tad would
Jump at the proffered honor. that Tad's
half-uttered refusal died awiS on his
Ups.
"All right. sir. III do my best" said
Fad. sturdily; and, slapping him iovial-
" on tho back. Captain Flagg de-
dared that nobody could do more than
bat, -