Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-12-03
how JOBY PAID his FARE.

edges Of the wild, stormy-lookin,
clouds massed in the west were still
aglow with vivid crimson fire. I,
the east the gray gloom of the com
ing night was mounting mp the sky
sn1 mere aaa ssrsaa sasss Go RalR assk. 1
brisk wind, or what sailors call ss
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 the crests curled
and spurted in kissing foam. Far
to the southwark dim, blush line,
which only the experienced eye of q
seaman could have recognized az
land, marked the coast of France,
while in the opposite quarter the
chalky headlands of England faint
ly cleaned in the fading twilight.
The stout ship Falcon, leaning
gallantly to the wind, was making
her way down the Channel, bound
for America. The sails had been
reefed, the cables coiled, and eve-
rything 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 a
steady wind, paced to and fro on
his quarter deck, grufiy humming
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 as
"The sea is the place for me, my
lads" or GA lively ship and q will
ling crew."
Capt. Essex's little song was in
terrupted by a sudden commotion
-1r1 ~ --sn..-.-ALrart of the vessel.
talking, a hasty scuffiing Of feet,
followed by the frightened sobbing
of child.
"Hallo 70 exclaimed Captain Es-
sex, "what is the meaning Of that
row ?"
"A stowaway, SIR answered one
Of the men from below.
"A stowaway on my ship p
growled the captain. Bring the
rascal here Well give him taste
of the ropes end first, and then
but what is that p
'The stowaway, SIR was the re-
sponse, as two Of the crew approach
ed, leading between them q very
small and very ragged boy.
The anger in the captains face
gave place to a lc * Of astonish-
ment, mingled with pity, as his
eye rested upon the shivering form
of the intruder. But he maintain
ed the sternness Of his tone as he
addressed the boy.
'Well,' he said, what are you do
ing here p
'N-nothing, SIR was the tremb-
ling reply.
who are you. and where did you
come from? Speak mp, now No
nonsense p
I'm Joby-Job Oliver, sir said
the boy, between the sobs, which
he vainly endeavored to choke
down. Il live in London, by the
docks. SIR
What are you doing here. then ?
T-Ihidawa down below, and
and they found me. l wasn't do
ing anything. l didn't touch @
thing. ! thoaght they wouldn't
mind. I'm not very big, you see,
and ] don't weigh much
He broke down with q gasp, and
pressed his small, grimy fists inte
his streaming eyes. Then, as tn.
captain remained silent, but con
tinued to gaze at him with tre
mendous frown, he made brave ef
fort to 60 on With his story.
i haven't any mother or father
you see, and / have to earn my owl
living. Everybody says, 'He's to-
small. What's he good for? p an,
they don't take me, though an
strong. / can lift O trunks littl
one. / can run errands, very fast
but everybody says, ooh, he's to
ragged and too dirty II coul,
get jobs, you see, | could get me
new pair of clothes. But can
get jobs, and / can't get clothes
and everybody don't want me
and fresh storm of sobs shoe
the small frame.
But you haven't told me ye
what you are doing on board thi
ship?' said the captain. preservin
hin severity with an effort.