Evening star., 1897-06-05
A YOUTHS ADVENTURES.
Which, Whether Truth or Fiction.
Are InterestinR.

Are interesting.
From the London News
When riding in the tram car through the
widest parts Of Peckham Rye writes a
contributor 20 the London News, with a
friend-we were bound on a journalistic err
rand-a bronzed young man of marine ap-
pearance jumped into the car, and at once
recognized my companion. Before we had
gone very far i was deep In one OF the odd
est family histories. This new arrival, IL
seems, when a boy OF fourteen, had been
possessed by the fear of consumption. that
fell disease having carried or his brother
and threatening his father and mother
Accordingly. he read every book that he
could lay his hands on dealing with the
subject. and, as the result of his reading,
ran away to Bournemouth TO he near the
pines. Having no funds. he engaged him.
self to a local fshmonger. carrying his
masters fish to the various customers.
When the days work was done. he shoul-
dered hammock which he had brought
with him and camped among some of those
pines for which that southern health resort
is famous.
One night n gentleman. sauntering along
smoking a cigar, noticed him. and. being
emazed at this ''ai fresco" bed. entered
into conversation with him. why. I
know who you are exclaimed the con-
sumptive youth at last. You're Mr.. Louis
Island" How do You know" said the
gentleman. Because ] deliver you fish.
You live at Skerryvore." SO l do" re-
piled Stevenson. for he IL was. sure enough
But you don't talk like a hshmonger's
boy"
mo more I do." replied the boy. and then
poured his strange secret into the novelist's
ear, which was sympathetic enough. you
may be sure. The result of this odd meet
ing was an invitation to breakfast. ''Oh,
and L did eat, said the young man-he
told the story SO loudly that the whole
train laughed. And the servants couldn't
make IL out at ALL to see the distinguished
author entertaining the fshmonger's boy.
Then he went to Paris. and l never saw
him again for long while" The pines not
proving strong enough. the strange youth
was seized with yearning for the scent
OF the eucalyptus. and persuaded his friends
to send him TO sea- When he reached Sgd
ney he sold his outfit and ran away into
the bush, and lived in the open with euca-
iyptus galore. Thence. after many adven-
lures, he sailed for the south seas, and
abode by reef and palm for many a long
Year. One day, when cruising as super
cargo among the Gilbert Islands U think a
European swell in beautiful white ducks, a
great red sash and a spreading panama hat
with a peacock's feather in it. came aboard
the schooner. Good morning, Mr.. Steven
son.. said the supercago. Mr.. Stevenson
looked. and wondered who knew him in
these far-on seas. Il don't know you," he
said. shaking his head. But / know you.
Don't you remember the fshmongers boy
who ate such big breakfast at Skerry-
vore?" $50 1 do Well. the world is small,
indeed" And no doubt the two had pegs
and tiffin (or whatever they call such things
in the islands) together. What a strange.
small world II is, indeed. Well one sue
cumbed to the dread dsease-the other is
as hearty a fellow as ever I saw. 1t was a
quaint. grim fancy to go lodging phthsis
all over the world!