The Bossier banner., 1894-05-31
JOBY PAID HIS FARE.
And Won a 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 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
asound of loud, angry talking, a hasty
scufling of feet. followed by the
frightened sobbing of child.
"Hello!" 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-
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 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.
We'll" 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
sense!"
Pm Joby-Job Oliver. SIR" said the
ooy, between sobs, which he vainly en-
oeaVored to choke down. 81 live in
London by the docks, sir"
What are you doing here, then?"
IL hid away down below, and
ana they found me. wasn't doing
anything, didn't touch a thing. 1
thought they wouldn't mind. I'm not
very blg, you see, and I don't weigh
much"
de 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
~ MIN with a tremendous frown, he
made brave effort to go on with his
story.
/ haven't any mother or father, you
See, and have to earn my own living.
~, very oooy says: He's too small.
WHAT'S ne good for?' and they don't
a.. saAe me, though am strong. can
hit trunk-a little one. can run
sesands CIT very fast, but verybody says:
w mes too ragged and TOO dirty" If
eouio get jobs, you see, could get
ne new suit of clothes, but every
0oay don't want me, and"
nere fresh storm of sobs shook the
small frame.
but you haven't told me yet what
sou are doing on this shipP" said the
an effort.
1ne ship was going to America, +"
answered = the boy. Everybody is rich
- 81 america. Everybody wants you
sns asre, you see. Tom Dixey went there,
uu s,r, ne makes load of money"
mats all very well," responded the
captain, but people who go to Ameri-
pay Tor their passage, and to hide
saay SO as TO go without paying is Just
r same as stealing so m UGH money"
a., evidently the boy had never taken
aa saa' view OF the question. He looked
sI;- p a. the captains stern face with a
T,ntened r, and startled expression.
aasn ne began a hurried search in the
en- sAe's OF his ragged jacket. From
as ne drew forth two coppers, from
sAosler silver sixpence and from a