St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1897-05-08
QUE STOWAWAY.
ny JENNY WREN.

DUB STOWAWAY.
NJ JENNY WREN.
II was with feeling of honest, sea-
nan-iike pride / surveyed my vessel
from stem to stern as we bade good-by
20 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
hnd tried; l knew her every beam, and
had not been her captain for ten long
years without feeling her as much my
own rs the children who bounded on
her deck to meet me on my return. My
crew, most of them, had sailed with me
many q time before. Only one man was
new, and he, when presenting himself
before me, although he hardly appeared
= seafaring man, took into my service,
suppressed 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 a relief to feel the
fSANAs~AAANAe va vas OsNAs 0Au
before us in anticipation a highly sue
cessfal voyage. had just turned to go
below and look over the iog-book, when
my attention was attracted by a SEEM
ing scuffie, and loud and angry voices.
"Ah, the old story" muttered to my
self. II 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
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. I felt
sorry for him, in spite of myself. al
Though / growled out the query, fear
with an oath:
"What made you hide in my ship?
I've q good mind to throw you over
board!"
/ He opened his mouth to answer, but
mo words came, when, to my surprise,
Archer, the new man, stepped forward
and. touching his hat. respectfully said:
81 know him, sir. He wanted pas
eege to Liverpool, and had no money.
You'll find him a good worker, sir"
Swore a 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,
continued my interrupted course to
my cabin. had no cause to complain
Of him as the days slipped into weeks;
what work he had to do he did faithful
Is and well-if it was using a broom or
climbing rigging. Hard labor he was
unequal to physically, and would not
permit. it to be. imposed upon him; but
after time. seeing his willingness.
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
sured my leniency. Whatever delicacies
fell 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.
II think. sir" he said, shat Archer
has made Williams run away from
school. He is merely a boy. and last
ulknt I OSCEuCdIu Nt1C1u t0lhIAk W.
gether 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 came up. and
both looked red and confused, but pre-
tended to have heard nothing"
I told the mate to make work rs easy
for him as he could, for somehow my
own heart seemed to throb in my SYM
pathy for the boy, whose mother, a
widow, perhaps, mourned, refusing to
he comforted. Next time saw him
alone questioned him.
.4How happened it, Williams, you ran
AWAY to sea? Had you no home?"
eyes, SIR" he answered; "a good
home, but was not happy there"
AYou knew Archer well at home, did
vou not?"
ssYes, sir, quite vel" a rcd flush dye
inr his cheeks, while he hung his head
aud moved his feet uneasily.
ibid he persuade you to run away1"
ssNo. no, indeed" and a determina-
ton showed itself in his manner had
never seen before. "He knew nothing
of it. captain. heard he was to sail on
4his ship, and determined to go with
Aiz knowing I would have ON board
90 hiSnd. I did not think / should find
- many to Be kind to me-"
.Is your mother hving?"
ssYee." he said, sadly. '-She mourns
me q dead: but It il better *" !" the tears
vaein1 In hin ewes and falling on his