The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-04-26
JOBY PAID HIS FARE.
And Won Home and a Friend
at the Same Time.

The stout ship Falcon, leaning gal
lantly to the wind, was making her
way down the channel, bound for
America The sails had been reefed,
the cables coiled, and everything made
snug for the night. Capt Essex,
pleased, as an old sailor always is
when his vessel is we'll away from the
dangers of the land, and making good
progress under a steady wind, paced to
and fro on his quarter deck, gruffly
humming little song, the greater
part of which was lost in his thick,
bushy beard, though now and then
you might have caught some words,
as THE sea is the place for me, my
lads" or "A lively ship and willing
crew"
Capt Essex's little song was inter-
rupted by sudden commotion in the
forward part of the vessel There was
sound of loud, angry talking, hasty
scuffling of feet, followed by the
frightened sobbing of child.
"Hellol" exclaimed Capt Essex,
''what is the meaning of that row?'
"a stowaway, SIR" answered one of
the men from below.
"a stowaway on my ship!" growled
the captain Bring the rascal here!
Wen give him taste of the ropes end
first, and then-but what is that?"
The stowaway, SIR was the re-
Spouse as two Of the crew approached,
leading between them a very small
and very ragged boy.
The anger in the captains face gave
place to look of establishment, min
gled with pity, as his eyes rested upon
the shivering form of the intruder.
But he maintained the sternness of his
tone as he addressed the boy.
"Well," said he, what are you doing
here2"
"N.nothing, SIR" was the trembling
reply.
who are you and where did you
come from? Speak up, now! No nom
sense"
I'm Joby-Job Oliver, sir" said the
boy, between sobs, which he vainly en-
deavored to choke down. 81 live in
London by the docks, sir"
What are you doing here, then?"
II hid away down below, and
and they found me. wasn't doing
anything l didn't touch thing. 1
thought they wouldn't mind. Pm not
very big, you see, and l don't weigh
much"
He broke down with gasp and
pressed his small, grimy fists into his
streaming eyes. Then, as the captain
remained silent, but continued to gaze
at him with tremendous frown, he
made brave effort to go on with his
story.
Il haven't any mother or father, you
see, and have to earn my own living.
Every body says: He's too small.
What's he good for?' and they don't
take me, though l am strong. can
lift trunk-a little one. | can run
errands very fast, but every body says:
oh, he's too ragged and COO dirty" If
could get jobs, you see, could get
me a new suit of clothes, but every
body don't want me, and"
Here fresh storm of sobs shook the
small frame.
But you haven't told me yet what
you are doing on this ship" said the
captain, preserving his severity with
an effort.
THE ship was going to America"
answered the boy. Everybody is rich
in America. Everybody wants you
there, you see. Tom Dixey went there,
and he makes load of money"
That's all very we'll, responded the
captain, but people who go to Ameri-
ca pay for their passage, and to hide
away so as TO go without paying is just
the same as stealing so much money"
Evidently the boy had never taken
that view of the question. He looked
up at the captains stern face with a
frightened and startled expression.
Then he began hurried search in the
pockets of his ragged jacket. From
one he drew forth two coppers, from
another a silver sixpence and from a
third shilling, much battered, Clipped
and defaced. These he held out toward
the captain.
This is all I've got now. earned
the sixpence and the two pennies-the
shilling gentleman gave me. It's
broken, but it is good silver, all the
same"
And what am to do with theseY'
asked the captain.
"To pay my fare" replied the boy.
ats most enough, l think. l will
earn the rest soon when l get over
there"
The good captain could maintain
bis gravity - longer. A smile light