Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-05-31
J0BY PAID HIS FARE.
And Won q Home and q Friend
at the Same Time.

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. aud making good
progress under steady wind, paced to
and fro on his quarter deck, grufily
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,
a. "The sea Is the place for me, my
lads" or "A lively ship and a willing
crew."
Capt Essex's little song was inter
rupted by a sudden commotion in the
forward part of the vessel. There was
Il sound OF loud, angry talking, u hasty
scuffling Of feet followed by the
frightened sobbing of q child.
"Hellow exclaimed Capt Essex,
"what is the meaning of that rowP'
"A stowaway, sir" answered one OF
the men from below.
"a stowaway on my shipl" growled
the captain. Bring the rascal here!
Wen give him taste Of the ropes end
FIRST, and then-but what is that2"
"The stowaway, SIR" was the re-
sponse 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 q look OF astonishment, 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
herep"
"N.nothing, sir" was the trembling
reply.
"Who are you and where did you
come fromp Speak up, nowl No nom
sensei"
"Pm Joby--Job Oliver, sir" said the
boy, between sobs, which he vainly en-
deavored TO choke down. ~ live in
London by the docks, sir"
what are you doing here, then?"
III hid away down below, and
and they found me. wasn't doing
anything. didn't touch a thing. l
thought they wouldn't mind. I'M not
very big, you see, and I don't weigh
much"
He broke down with a gasp and
pressed his small, grimy fists into his
streaming eyes. Then, as the captain
remained silent, but continued to gaze
at him with u tremendous frown, he
made brave effort 10 60 on with his
story.
II 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 forP' and they don't
take me, though l am strong l eau
lift q trunk-a little one. can run
errands very fast, but everybody says
oh, he's too ragged and TOO dirty" II
l 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, y
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 WELL" responded the
captain, but people who go to Ameri
ca pay for their passage, and to hid,
away so as TO go without paying is just
the same az stealing so much money
Evidently the boy had never taker
that view Of the question. He looked
up at the captains stern face with {
frightened and startled expression
Then he began q hurried search In tn,
pockets Of his ragged jacket From
one he drew forth two coppers, from
another a silver sixpence and from 4
third shilling, much battered, chippet
and defnced. These he held out towarC
the captain.
, This is all I've got now. earned
the sixpence aud the two pennies-th,
. shilling gentleman gave me. IT.
broken, but 1t Is good silver, all the
same"
"And what am 10 do with theseP'
} asked the captain.
, "To pay my fare" replied the boy
, "Its most enough, | think / will
, earn the rest soon when l get ovel
, there"
: The good captain could maintain
bis gravity no longer A smile light
ed up his rugged features Rs ne said
kindly;
, "There, there Joby, keep your mon
, ey, my boy. You are an honest littl
fellow, after ALL You shall stay witt
; me on the FAl con, and we viii make
man of you"
All day long the good ship labore'
r with the mountainous waves, leapini
and plunging till it seemed as though
; the groaning, creaking masts mus
| come out of her. But she was
, stanch, well-built craft, and had passed
, safely through many a worse tenn
noat