The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-22
THE SAILOR KING.

William ", the uncle and immediate
predecessor of Queen Victoria, was usually
called the sailor king" and he possessed
in remarkable degree the open hearted
frank and generous spirit which charac-
terizes the British tar.
The prince, being at home for the Christ
mas gathering at Windsor castle, was tax
ing stroll in London by himself, Gus
tom by no means uncommon with him,
for he disliked being followed by attend
ants. It CHANGED that he made his way
over London bridge, which at that time
had series of narrow alcoves or recesses
with seats along the river or balustrade
side of the pavement.
In these hooks beggars often congregat-
ed, not only the regular professional men
dicant, with his ready whine and made up
tale of distress, but the really unfortunate,
who were certainly not cared for then as
they are now.
1t was a bitter December day, and the
ice cold wind pierced even the comfortable
wrappings of the sailor prince chilling his
young blood, but it seemed to freeze the
ragged creatures whom he passed.
1t may be that feeling the cold himself
caused him to look with awakened inter-
est at the poor, when suddenly he noticed
a middle aged, weather beaten Jack Tar
in ragged jacket and trousers, a red
nightcap on his head and his old shoes tied
on his feet by some strands of rope.
He had neither shirt nor stockings, and,
though his skin seemed to have been
bronzed and dried by the rigor both Of
heat and cold in many different climates,
he now appeared nearly perishing with
frost and hunger. An expression CLEANED
in the eyes of this miserable object and
the young prince at the same moment.
They knew each other, and as the poor
mans glance fell before the startled and
benevolent gaze of the royal MILDLY the
latter sang out in true sea breezy voice:
What Bob CleWlines, do not hail an
old shipmate in you? To be sure do, and
as prime a seaman as ever trimmed a sail
or served gun. Why, what has battered
your old hulk in this way2''
The man was dumb with conflicting
emotions, but the tears started in his eyes.
The MILDLY, also overcome, stretched out
his hand, which the other did not venture
to take.
"Come, Bob, - cried the prince, ''no sub
ordination now. We are all equals on life's
quarter deck when storm comes and tears
the rigging. Come, tip us your fin, old
boy, and, say, come along with me, and
III see a bit to the reftting of your can
vas. Come, look sharpI''
So saying the youth walked briskly on
till he came to a shop near Wellclose
square. ''Here, you, sir, want an out
and out, spick and span new rigging for
my mate here.
''who's to pay3' said the cautious
trader.
"why, I'll pay, to be sure" was the
reply
''Oh, very wellI'' he answered and re-
tired with Bob into his back room and
soon returned, bringing the seaman COM
fortably clad and two changes of under
linen done up in a bundle under his arm.
just as Bob C1ewlines appeared half
naked how T1asaed the ShoD door
''Pitch your old toys to that younker,"
said the prince. lone good turn deserves
another, Bob" And so as the shfvering
lad thankfully gathered up the ragged garb
there were two hearts made happier at the
same moment.
"And now, what's to payP" cried the
royal MILDLY.
Fifteen dollars, sir. -
With genuine sailor impetuosity the
generous youth had not calculated his
finances, and as the allowance made to
Prince William Henry was never large
and he was by no means skillful in man
aging it he was for moment perplexed
what to do, until he thought of his watch
and said, "What will you give me for
this?''
The dealer eyed it suspiciously, weighed
it in his hand and then began to deprecate
it.
''It's very pretty, but not heavy It's
just the case is all. III venture to give
you $50 for the case, sir, but I'm like to
lose by it. ="
Let's see then, you take the gold case,
and I'll keep the inside. 1t must work
like my mate for bit, without its jacket,
but I must have $25. Do as bid you,
man, and let me have the money!
Here, Bob, do you take the odd change
to keep your pocket warm till you get
aboard again.
BY this time poor Bob was crying like
a child, for he had been long sick and dis
was destitute. With honest pride he feared
that he was taking too much from his
benefactor, but the youth overcsme his re-
luctance, saying as he held the money to-
ward him:
Come, come, take in your cargo, ship
mate. It's only what I owe you. We're
you not the kindest creature in the world
to me when I was confined to my berth
with yellow feverP Do you think I have
forgotten thatP What do you take me for,
Ell? Go and get some rations, my man.
1t is said the royal MILDLY had to put
himself on a month"; short allowance Of
cash to make up the arrears incurred to
get his watch case back.
Meanwhile Bob did not forget to tell
the story, and it was deeds like this that
endeared William Henry, duke of Clarence,
to the people of England.-London News.
Exi1es In Siberia.
I am not Asiatic or a champion of AsiS,
yet can see that there are two sides to
this question, however much may scr