The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-04-01

l
and sprang on TO the raft, where he
lashed himself and the little fellow.
Soon afterward the wreck sank. Next
it was clear, and the mate and
the boy were picked up by a small iron
bark bound to japan. The bark, how
ever, got out Of her course. and was
driven ashore on q small island, not far
from the Philippines. The island was
inhabited by friendly natives, who took
care of the stranded crew, but nearly
three years passed before any vessel
touched at the island. They were final
ly taken off by q man-of-war, which ,
landed them at Bombay. There the
mate was taken sick and sent to the hos /,
pital, and while In hospital he was Wis.
tied by Mr.. Bradley. Mr.. Bradley, who
had once been befriended by the boys
father, said that the bark he was on
was about to sail for New York, and he
undertook to deliver the little fellow
to his friends. But now the poor boy
was again on his way to the other side
of the world.
"While Mr.. Bradley was finishing his
account of how he came by the boy,
Capt. Harris came in from the after
cabin and said that the little fellow
was sleeping nicely. Mr.. Bradley be.
gan to tell the captain about how the
boy was wrecked the first time. Then
the captain rose up, paleand trembling,
and asked the name Of the ship. When
Mr.. Bradley gave the name of the ship
that was run down, and said that the
boys father was Capt. Wilson, the skip
per staggered back, and then rushed
intothe after cabin asif he had gone mad.
Wecouldn't make out what was the mat
ter with him. An hour later went into
the after cabin for something, and
saw the captain leaning over the boy
who was fast asleep. The captain
looked up, and noticed that his eyes
were red, as if he had been crying hard.
Thinks I: Well, well, you are an old
maid of a captain, indeed
"The next morning we were becalmed.
Near by us lay big clipper ship, which,
toward noon, sent boat to us. The
officer in charge of the clippers boat
said that they were bound for New
York, but were short-handed, and he
told Mr.. Bradley that he and the other
men from the lost barque were well
come to come on board and work their
passage to the United States. Mr..
Bradley jumped at the chance, and when
his men were all ready to leave our
ship, he looked around for the boy.
We found the little fellow in the cabin,
where he was being petted by Capt
Harris. The captain made great out
cry when Mr.. Bradley said that the
boy would have to go with him. Our
skipper begged hard for the youngster
but Mr.. Bradley said that he would
have to take him to his friends. Mr.
Bradley was about to lead the youngsteI
out Of the cabin, when Capt. Harris
fell on his knees and put his arms
around .he boy. Then he looked uI
to Mr.. Bradley and said:
"'You must not take him. am hi
father!'
ellis fatheri' replied Mr.. Bradley
What do you mean? Why, knew Capt
Wilson myself. He was at least tel
years older than you, and was larg
man into the bargain. Come, let M
have the boy!'
"'No, no. cried Capt. Harris, press
ing the little fellow still closer to him
I may not be his father, but am his
"'Don't say you're his mother
sneered Mr.. Bradley.
eyes, I am his mother!' was the re
; ply.
"And with that Capt. Harris pulle'
off the heavy black beard mentioned
, There was no doubt about it. The car
tain had a woman's face, and not q bad
, looking one, either. Mr.. Bradley start
ed back in astonishment, and cried:
"'You don't mean to say you ar
} Capt. Wilson's widow?'
; ""That's exactly what am.' said ou
: skipper, rising to her feet and putin
: her beard back into place. After m
/. husbands ship had been struck by th
, steamer, I was lifted on board of tn
! other vessel by two of the men. M
& husband and child were given up fo
! lost, although begged the people t
> return and search the wreck for then
They would have done it, but the steam
I, err could not find the wreck in the fol
: and it was supposed that she had four
> dered Immediately after we left he,
t l went home to my friends. My hui
E band had left very little money, and
: found that I should have to work for
D living. I didn't care to hire out as
), housekeeper. had learned navigatio
D thoroughly from my husband, and VIZ
we'll fitted to take charge of a ship.
:. went to a ship owner who was an ol
= friend of my husbands, and told hi
d just how things stood. He though
e that under the circumstances couldn
h do better than dress up as a man and G
s 10 sea as captain. He found me a shi
e and I've been skipper ever since. Al
n now no one is going to take my be
e away from me-
d "'That they ain't,' said good-hearts
r Mr.. Bradley, who then kissed the be
\. and shook hands with us all. In ti'