River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-04-08
OUR ST0WAWAY.
ny JENNY WREN.

II was with a feeling of honest. sea
man-Iike pride l surveyed my vessel
from stem to stern we bade good-by
t. the shores of New York, watching
them gradually recede from our view as
uy gallant ship, with sails full set.
swep: out into the ocean. She was true
and tried; / knew her every beam, aud
had not been her captain for ten long
Years without feeling her as much my
own as the children who bounded on
her deck 10 meet me on nay return My
crew, most Of them. had sailed with me
many a 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.
und the fact that the discharge lac
brought in his pocket and showed me
with some pride, proved him honest and
trustworthy II was a relief TO feel the
excitement Of departure was over. and
before us in anticipation highly sue
cessful voyage. had just turned to 90
Ip.lOw and look over the iOg-bOok, vs. hen
my attention was attracted by a seem
ing scuffie, and loud and angry voices.
''Ah. the cid story, mUttered TO my
self. Il thought this time we had es-
caped;" for 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 a rid
TO the port whittier we were bound. Ii
vas no difficult task to force him into
~ presence. lie was a slight. delicate
little fellow. with a face white as ashes,
and trembling like a woman. l felt
sorry for him. in spite of myself. al
though / growled oft the query, fear
with an oath:
what made you hide ia my ship
I've a good mind 10 throw you over
board"
lie 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:
II know him. sir. He wanted pas
sgge to- Liverpool, and had no money.
You'll find him a good worker. sir
SWOre "a little AT them both. bat the mis-
chief was DONE there was no help for il:
and telling the mate to put him to work,
continued my interrupted course to
my cabin. had no cause to complain
Of him as the days slipped into weeks;
what work he had 10 do he did faithful
i and we!l-if il was using broom or
climbing n rigging. Hard labor he was
unequal To physically. and would not
permit IL To he imposed upon him; but
after a time. seeing his Willingness.
Lad most of his duties transferred To
the cabin. where they were lighter ard
subject To less exposure. He seemed
hound to Archer by strange ties of graft
tude. aud appeared To think he had in
sured my leniency. Whatever delicacies
fell to his share he would carry 10 him.
and IL his own work was light. was ever
anxious to help with his. Once the mate
came to me with grave face.
II think. sir" he said. that Archer
has made Williams run away from
school. He Is merely boy. and last
night I overheard them talking to-
gtther on deck. Archer was telling
him he'd better send word from the first
port that he was safe. but he need not
tell where he was; and Williams was
CRYING bitterly. Then I came up. and
both looked red aud confused. but pre-
tended 10 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
psthy for the boz. whose mother. a
widow. perhaps. mourned. refusing To
lie cOmforted. Next time ! saw him
alone questioned him.
How happened Il. Williams. YOU ran
away to sea? Had YOU no home?"
Yes. sir" he answered.; "a good
home. but was not happy there"
You knew Archer well at home. did
you not?"
Yes. sir. quite we'll rcd flush dye
ing his cheeks. while he hung his head
and moved his feet uneaSiIy.
did he persuade YOU To run away -
NO. no. indeed" and a determina-
ton showed itself in his manner had
never seen before. lie knew nothing
81 IL. captain. heard me was to sail on
this ship. and ! determined to go with
him. knowing | would have on board
one friend. did not think should find
50 many To be kind To me-"
lis your mother Iiving?'
Yes he said. SADLY '-She mournS
me as dead; but il Is better 50. the tears
rising in his eyes and falling on his
checks
said no more then. but could not
account for the strange interest. a.
spite Of myself. took in Qua STOW
away"
The third week out we had n storm
which tried our faithful ship to the ut
most. The timbers crcaked. 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.
let no man failed at his duty; his
cheek might blanch, hut his hand did
not tremblc. Once Williams. whom |
had kept on cabin duty. Ventured aloft.
end I heard Nrcher's voice ring out
above the storm:
QUICK. neIoW, This is no place for
such as YOU" Then in lower tone nv
ar alone caught: Have you forgot
ten your PROMISE / am safe. do not
fear. II there is danger | viii come to
you"
There might not be time" he an
swerCd. i'm a voice almost wUmauly I'm its
tremor; "and. oh. Ben. could not die
without YOU"
Hush. little fool" hut the words.
though harsh. were spoken in a tone so
tender they could not wound.
1T Is a strange frien iShip." thought
to myself some DAY must ferret il
cut"
All. the day ard tn hour were in
ether hands than n;ne-eyen ia thoss
which AZ last commanded the waves TO
be still and brought us out of our peril
uuinjured and without the loss of 4
single life. We had Just had prayers
and Thanksgiving. in which all. from
captain 10 cabin boy, had joined most
heartily. assembling together as one
man before Gods foOtstOOl. and had
scattered again 10 our different posts,
where the storm had left Us much 10 do,
when / again noticed Archer and Viii
Iiams standing together. the latter
hand resting almost caressingly upon
Areher's shoulder.
- ,,,v,-orfu1 the other e