The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-04-09
OUR STOWAWAY.
by JENNY WREN.

from stem TO stern as we babe good-by
to the shores of New York, watching
Them gradually recede from our view as
my gallant ship, with sails full set,
swept out into the ocean. She was true
and tried; knew her every beam, and
had not been her captain for ten long
years without feeling her as much my
own as the children who bounded on
her deck to meet me on my return. My
crew, most of them, had sailed with me
many time before. Only one man was
new, and he, when presenting himself
before me, although he hardly appeared
seafaring man. took into my service,
impressed by his bright, honest face,
and the fact that the discharge he
brought in his pocket and showed me
with some pride. proved him honest and
trustworthy. 1t was relief to feel the
excitement of departure was over, and
before us in anticipation highly sue
cessful voyage. | had just turned to go
below and look over the log-book, when
my attention was attracted by a SEEM
Ing scuff1e, and loud and angry voices.
'Ah, the old story" muttered to my
self. Il thought this time we had es-
caped;" for l quickly perceived the man
the mate was dragging toward me did
not belong to the crew, but had hidden
himself away in the hold, to steal ride
TO the port whittier we were bound. 1t
was no difficult task to force him into
my presence. He was slight, delicate
little fellow, with face white as ashes,
and trembling like "a woman. l felt
sorry for him, in spite of myself, al
though l growled out the query, l fear
with an oath:
"What made you hide in my ship?
I've a good mind to throw you over
board!"
He opened his mouth to answer, but
no words came, when. TO my surprise,
Archer, the new man, stepped forward
and, touching his hat, respectfully said:
81 know him. sir. He wanted a pas
sage to Liverpool, and had no money.
You'll find him good worker, sir" [
swore little at them both, but the mis-
chief was done, there was no help for it;
and telling the mate to put him to work,
my cabin. | had no cause to complain
of him as the days slipped into weeks;
what work he had to do he did faithful
ly and well-if it was using broom or
climbing a rigging. Hard labor he was
unequal to physically, and l would not
permit it to be imposed upon him; but
after time, seeing his willingness, I
had most of his duties transferred to
the cabin, where they were lighter and
subject to less exposure. He seemed
bound to Archer by strange ties of graft
tude, and appeared to think he had in
red my leniency. Whatever deicacies
to his share he would carry to him,
and if his own work was light. was ever
anxious to help with his. Once the mate
came to me with grave face.
81 think, sir" he said, that Archer
has made Williams run away from
school. He is merely a boy, and last
night overheard them talking to-
gether on deck. Archer was telling
him he'd better send word from the first
port that 3e was Hafe, but he need not
tell where he was; and Williams was
crying bitterly. Then came up, and
both looked red and confused, but pre-
tended to have heard nothing"
told the mate to make work as easy
for him as he could, for somehow my
own heart seemed to throb in my SYM
pathy for the boy, whose mother, q
widow, perhaps, mourned, refusing to
be comforted. Next time l saw him
alone questioned him.
"How happened it, Williams, you ran
away to sea? Had you no home?"
Eyes, SIR" he answered.; "a good
home, but was not happy there"
"You knew Archer well at home. did
you not?"
Eyes, sir, quite WE'LL" red flush dye
ing his cheeks, while he hung his head
and moved his feet uneasily.
''Did he persuade you to run away?"
mo, no, indeed" and a determine
ton showed itself in his manner had
never seen before. He knew nothing
of it, captain. heard he was to sail on
this ship, and l determined to go with
him, knowing / would have on board
one friend. did not think l should find
so many to be kind to me-"
sis your mother iving?"
EYES," he said, sadly. "She mourns
me as dead; but it is better So" the tears
rising in his eyes and falling on his
cheeks.
I said no more then, but could not
account for the strange interest, in
spite of myself, / took in our "stow-
away"
The third week out we had storm
which tried our faithful ship to the ut
most. The timbers creaked, the cordage
strained, but still she rode the waves
and breasted the pillows, mountain
high though they were. Many an hon
est heart beat faster at the memory of
young wives and little children whose
voices should call them in vain. and
whom they should never meet again
this side, perhaps, the great portals.
Yet no man failed at his duty; his
cheek might blanch, but his hand did
not tremble. Once Williams, whom
had kept on cabin duty, ventured aloft,
end | heard Archer's voice ring out
above the storm:
"Quick, below! This is no place for
such as you!" Then in lower tone my
ear alone caught: Have you forgot
ten your promise? L am safe; do not
fear. If there is danger will come to
you."
There might not be time" he an
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