The Bessemer indicator., 1894-06-09
JOBY PAID HIS FARE.


The sun had set, but the lower edges
of the wild, stormy looking clouds
massed In the west were still aglow
with vivid, crimson fira In the east
the grey gloom Of the coming night was
mounting up to tho sky, and here and
there 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 OF to
the southwark dim, blush line, which
only the experienced eye of a seaman
could have recognized us land. marked
the coast Of France, while in tho oppo-
site quarter the chalky headlands Of
England CLEANED family in the fading
twilight. a, sH..S-sS,.
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. us IN old sailor always Is
when his vessel Is well away from the
dangers of the land, paced to and fro
on his quarter deck, grufiiy humming
q little song, the greater part Of which
was lost in the thick, bushy beard
though now and then you might havc
caught some words, AZ "The sea is the
place for me, my lads" or "a lively
ship and n willing crew"
Capt. Essex's little song was inter.
rupted by sudden commotion In the for
ward part of the vessel. There was q
sound Of loud, angry talking, q hayty
scuning Of feet. followed by the fright
ened sobbing Of child.
"Hallor exclaimed Capt. Essex,
"what is the meaning Of that row?"
"A stowaway, SIR" answered one Of
tho men from below.
IA stowaway on my shipw growled
tho captain: Bring the rascal here!
end first, and then-but what is thatr'
The stowaway, SIR" was the re-
sponss, as two of the crew approached,
| leading between them q very small and
very ragged boy.
The anger In the captains face gave
place to look Of astonlshmcnt,
mingled with pity, as his eyes rested
upon the shivering form OF tho In
truder. But he maintained the stern.
ness Of his tone as he addressed the
boy.
hereT
"N-nothlng, sir" was the trembling
re9s,y; 9S,,, ~. ro,, ~, n,,... ~, u,u
1 M
scnse!"
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, thenT
III hid away down below, and-and
they found me. / wasn't doing any
thing. didn't mind. I'm not very
big, and I 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
Mt him with tremendous frown, he
made brave effort to go on with his
story.
81 haven't any mother or father. you
see, and ! have to earn my own living.
Everybody says, He's too small. What
Is he good forr and they don't take
mo; though am strong. can lift q
trunk-n little one. can run errands,
very fast; but everybody says, oh, he's
too ragged and too dirty II could
get Jobs. you see, could get me a 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 yet what
you are doing on bourd this shIpr'
said the captain, preserving his sever
Try with an effort.
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 America
pay for their passage, and to hide away
80 as to 60 without paying, is just the
same as stealing 30 much money
Don't you know that?"
Evidently the boy had never taker
that view of the question. He looked
up at the captains stern face with q
frightened and startled expression
Then he began hurried search In the
pockets Of his ragged jncket- From
one he drew forth two coppers, from
another a silver hxpence, and from
third q shilling, much battered, chip
ped, and defaced. These he held out
toward the captain.
"This is all I've got now. earned
the sixpence md the two pennies; the
shilling a gentleman gave me. It'i
broken, but 1t 10 good silver, all The
same"
And what am to do with theser
asked the captain.
ITO pay my fare" replied the boy
ITS most enough, ! think. I will
earn the rest soon, when get ovel
there"
The good captain could maintain hil
gravity no longer. A smile lighted ur
his rugged features, as he said, kindly
There, there. Joby, keep your money
my boy. You are mn honest little fei
low, after all. You shall stay with mi
on the Falcon, and We win make 4 mar
Of you. How will that suit youY
Joby was delighted. Of course. Ths
sailors, who are wonderfully handy q
such thinss, devised q suit Of eiothiss
for his small body. He speedily b.
came great favofite with the ersw
Of the Falcon. proving himssaf to b
active and Intelligent, and, what h fal
better absolutely honest and truthful
1hc captain had svuwn yssy fpad d
1ooyl ala6 ~ III Joby-wsll u was ~
~ eeeoss ever1eo4y A toa1l kasx
.! T >! J -