The Van Buren press., 1894-05-05
JOBY PAID HIS FARE.
And Won q Home and Friend
at the Game Time.

at tho Same Time.
The stout ship Falcon, leaning gall
isntly 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. and making good
progress under steady wind, paced to
and fro on his quarter deck. gruffiy
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
. sound Of loud, angry talking, hasty
scufiiing Of feet, followed by the
frightened sobbing Of child.
''Hellor' exclaimed Capt Essex,
"what is the meaning of thot 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 taste of the ropes end
first, and then--but what is that?"
1.-THE stowaway. SIR" was the re-
av,anaa ftua of ha annroa oh al
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, rs his eyes rested upon
the shivering form of the intruder.
But he maintained tho sternness 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 non
sensel"
I'm 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 IRE you doing here, then?'
FL hid away down below, and
and they found me. ! wasn't doing
anything. l didn't touch thing. ]
thought they wouldn't mind. Pm not
very big, you see, and don't weigh
much"
He broke down with q 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 brave effort TO go on with his
story.
II haven't any mother or father, yor
see, and have TO earn my own living
Everybody says: Hes too small
What's he good for?' and they don'i
take me, though | am strong. car
lift trunk-a little one. can rur
errands very fast, but everybody says
oh, he's too ragged and TOO dirty" II
could get jobs, you see l could gel
me a new suit of clothes, but every
body don't want me, and"
Here fresh storm OF sobs shook tn,
small frame
''But you haven't told me yet wha
you are doing on this ship?" said tn,
captain, preserving his severity will
an effort.
"The ship was going to America,
answered the boy. Everybody is ricl
in America. Everybody wants yOI
there, you see. Tom Dixey went There
and he makes load of money
"That's all very we'll, responded th.
captain, but people who go TO Ameri
ca pay for their pass &c. and to hid,
away SO as TO go without paying IS jus
the same as stealing SO much money.
Evidently the boy had never sazel
that view Of the question He locke.
up at the captains stern face with
frightened and startled expression
Then he began hurried search in ,h
pockets of his ragged JACKIE. Frot
one he drew forth two eoppers. frou
another a silver sixpenee and from
third a shilling. much battered. ehippe
and defaced. These he held out towar
the captain.
This is all I've got now. ] earne
the sixpencc and the two pennies-ih
shilling a gentleman gave me 1t
broken, but it is good silver, all th
same"
''And what am to do with these?
asked the captain.
ITO pay my fare" replied the bo,
"It's most enough. l think. ! vi
earn the rest soon when / get ors
there"
The good captain could maintai
his gravity no longer. A smile lgh
cd up his rugged features as he sal,
kindly:
"There, there. Joby, keep your MOI
ey, my boy. You are an honest lit
fellow, after all. You shall stay wit
me on the Falcon, and we win make
man OF you"
All day long the good ship Lahore
with the mountainous waves, leapin
and pIunging till II seemed as thoue
the groaning creaking masts mu
come out of her. But she was
stsnch, well-built craft. and had pass
safely through many verse tel
pest
With the fall Of the night the gale