Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-05-17
JOBY PAID HIS FARE.

JOBY PAID HIS FARE,
| The sun had set, but the lower edges
OF the wild, stormy blocking clouds
massed in the west We're still aglow
with vivid, crimson fire. In the east
the grey gloom of the coming night was
mounting up to the sky, and here and
there IL pale star already glimmered in
the dusk. A brisk wind. of what sail
ors call "a half gale" was blowing, and
the waters Of the English Channel
were breaking in short, angry waves
of deep green in the hollows and snowy
white where their crests curled and
spouted in Kissing foam. Far off to
the southwark Il dim, blush line, which
only the experienced eye of IL seaman
could have recognized as land, marked
the coast of France, while in the oppo-
site quarter the chalky headlands of
England cleaned family in the fading
twilight.
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 well away from the
dangers of the land, paced to and fro
on his quarterback, grutfiy humming
little song, the greater part of which
was lost in the thick, bushy beard,
though now and then you might have
caught some words, as 1.-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 for
ward part of the vessel. There was a
sound Of loud, angry talking, hasty
scuft1ing of feet. followed by the fright
ened sobbing Of child.
Halo" 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!
Well give him a 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 very small and
very ragged boy.
The anger in the captains face gave
place to look of establishment,
mingled with pity, as his eyes rested
upon the shivering form of the in
truder. But he maintained the stern
ness Of his tone as he addressed the
boy.
WELL" 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 nom
sense!"
I'm Joby-Job Oliver. SIR" said the
boy, between sobs, which he vainly en-
deavored to choke down. II live in
London, by the docks, SIR
What are you doing here, thcn?"
"I-I hid away down below. and-and
they found me. wasn't doing any,
thing. 1 didn't mind. I'm not very
big. and 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 a brave effort to go on with his
| story.
Il haven't any mother or father, you
see, and I have to earn my own living.
Everybody says. He's too small. What
is ho good for?' and they don't take
me; though [ am strong. l can lift q
trunk-a little one. I can run errands.
very fast; but everybody says. oh, he's
! too ragged and too dirty If l could
get jobs, you see, could get me Il new
suit Of clothes, and everybody don't
| want me, and" here fresh storm of
sobs shook the small frame
But you haven't told me vet what
you are doing Oh board this ship"
said the captain, preserving his sever
ity with an effort.
THE ship was going to A nerica,"
answered the boy. Everybody is rich
in America. Everybody wants YOU
there, you see. Tom Dixay went there.
and he makes a load of money"
'"Thats all very WELL" responded the
captain; "but people who go to America
pay for their passage, and to hide away
so as to 90 without paying, is just the
same as stealing so much money.
Don't you know that?"
Evidently the boy had never taken
that view Of the question. He looked
up ut the captains stern face with q
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, chip
ped, and defaced These he held out
toward the captain.
This is all I've got now. I 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 l to do with these ~
asked the captain.
no pay my fare" replied the boy.