The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-05-11
JOBY PAID HIS FARE.
And Won a Home and a Friend
at the Same Iims.

lanLiy To the wind, was making her
way down the ch hanncl, bound for
America The sails had been reef. l.
tine cables coiiei, and every Uhing n;tde
snug Ior the night Cap Essex.
pleased, old sailor always il
when his vessel is we'll away from the
dangers of the land. and Inaising good
progress under steady wind, paced To
and fro on his quarter deck gruffiy
humminT a little song. the greater
part of which was lost in his thick
bushy beard, though now and then
you might have caught some words,
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 sudden commotion in the
forward part OF the vessel. There was
a sound of loud, angry talking, a hasty
scufiiing of feet, followed by the
frightened sobbing of child.
"llello!" exclaimed Capt Essex,
what is the meaning of that row?'
"A stowaway, SIR" answered one of
the men from below.
"A stowaway on my shipi" growled
the captain. Bring the rascal here!
Wen give him a taste of the ropes end
first, and then-but what is thaI?"
The stowaway, SIR was the re-
sponse as two of the crew approached,
leading between them a very small
and very ragged bov-
The anger in the captains face gave
place to "A look of astonishment, min
gled with pity. as his eyes rested upon
the shiveriug form of the intruder
But ne maintained the sternness of his
tone as he addressed the boy.
Nv ELL" said he, what are you doing
here?'
N nothing. sir" was the trembling
reply.
Who are you and where did you
come from? Speak up, now! No non
scnsci'
I'm Joby-Job Oliver. sir" said the
boy. between sobs. which he vainly en-
deavored 80 choke down Il live in
London by the docks, SIR
..W hat are you doing here, then?'
II hid away down below, and
aud they found me. l wasn't doing
ANYTHING. I didn't touch a tn :
thought they wouldn't mind. I'm not
very big, you see, and l don't weigh
much"
He broke down with a gasp and
streaming eyes Then, as the captain
remained silent, but continued to gaze
at him with a tremendous frown, he
made brave effort to go on with his
story.
Il haven't any mother or father, you
see, and 1 have to earn my own living.
| Every body saws: Hes too small.
What's he good for?' and they don't
take me, though | am strong. ! can
| lift trunIf-a little one. | can run
| errands very asst, but every body says:
| Oh, he's too ragged and COO dirty If
| 1 could get jobs, you see, | could get
| me 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. Every body 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 70 to Ameri-
| ca pay for their pass ge, 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
! frightened aud startled expression.
| Then he began hurried search in the
/ pockets of his ragged jacket. From
one he drew forth two coppers. from
| another silver siXpence and from
third a shilling, much battered, chipped
| and defaced These he held out toward
the captain.
This is all I've got now l earned
the Sixpence and the two pennies-the
shilling a 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.
| ITS most enough. 1 think Will
earn the rest soon when / get over
| there" "
The good captain could maintain
| his gravity no longer. A smile light
=. up his rugged features as lie SAID,
Kindly:
There, there, Joby, keep your mon
ey. my boy You are an honest little
elbow, after all You shall stay with
the the Fal con, and we will make IL
IAN of you"
| All day long the good ship labored
with the mountainous waves, leaping