Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-03-23

son ana OfucFcu rim lOr shelter IntO tEo
roundhousc, for the seas were now flying
over them.
cit was sad work burying the poor dcaa
fellows, for 30 bodies washed up, and sad
der to SEQ the pale, weeping, widowed
mother who c&mc to the funeral of her
little SON
"But these things passed and left ua
with Tom He had tHkcn up his abode in
tho roundhousc, which had been hauled up
above tho high water mark, and hero he
stuck.
"1Ic turned out mild, harmless man
and was u great friend Of all our children
The villagers took him under their charge,
fitted up his strange dwelling and kept
him provided with such simple food rs
they themselves used ! helped of course.
Presently we learned that he had
strange ways. AT night, and especially at
the full of the moon and in wild storms,
he would wander along the sand dimes,
now and again winding his call--tho call
for All hands - tccU-wt-it-it it-it il tilt
it tcccc--whrr Then he would
lift his deep voice, All hands, ahoyr
Gle bccailc an attcndcr at the little
Methodist chapel, and in moments Of OK
citemcnt-thc only times when he dtlhe-
como cxcitcd-woud dcclam against tho
church, as also he would sometimes do in
his talks with me But We wcro good
friends for all that. More than once
asked him about his nightly ramblcs.
I'm waiting the captain, he would
reply. Hon come up from yonder ono
| day, and he'll ask me, Tom, hen say,
where is Master CharlcsY And who but
me can tell him? l shall say: He's gone
on ahead. your honor. The Lord High
Admiral Christ called him, and he could
not wait for us The captain wouldn't be-
licvc no one else. Cause Why lie gave
the lad into my charge. But when he secs
me he'll know that ais well, and he Il
know the old Iiquo's roundhousc. Dye
scc?'
God seems very tender to such as he
| Not soul round here would have harmed
| the old man. Even tho lads, the widest
| never leased him
cone moonlit night something prompt
| ed me to go down to the beach and soc
| Tom. He WAS not in his house, so / wan
| dcrcd along the sand dunes and presently
saw him standing motionlcss on a little
| hillock.
"Hc took no notice of my approach, hut
| stood staring out to sen. ] spoke asking,
as many times before l had asked why h.
even more than his usual socmnity:
I've been called, sir, and thoy told
me to get ready, for I should soon have t,
| meet my commander.
Who are they | asked.
Those that sleep down there, he an.
swcrcd, pointing to where the ship had
| gone to pieces, 'those and the others up iii
tho churchynrd Wien l riped all hands
| tonight | heard them answer. And so |
| know that the captain will soon be com
| ing, and he II want 10 know where Muster
| Charles is. Then hc'n went the hands
| turned up To muster, and II have to be
| here TO cali EN-.
- You don't know the discipline Of %
| ship-o' war sir. When tho commander in
| chief calls, we must all answer togcthcr
smartly. All I'm soY"y for is that them
| lollics won't have no huglcr to blow the
assembly for en-. Poor chap, he lost the
number of Lis mess with the rest. And
| yet | don't know. Perhaps he'll have his
buglo rondy-maybc. Anyway they IL hear
me wind my call.
THE following night one of the villae-
ers, who had been to see Tom, called and
| told me | was wanted down on the beach
! by the old man.
"A gale WAS rising and walled mourn
fully in the air As walked down the
moon rosc As on that terrible night of tho
wreck it was fun.
Tho old man was waiting and was cvi
dontly in state Of excitement. He gave
me no greeting, but began muttcring,
They are calling mc,'
:" You wanted me, Tom I asked at
| length.
"'Ycs, sir, said he. Now that the time
has come | feel afraid 20 meet the com
mander alone, and somehow | felt Iwnuld
rather have you than the minister You re
a gentleman and know what is due to an
officer and Il gentleman, and don't think
| Christmas ilas Chat was his ministcr) is
| quite used 20 the quality.
"Ihc moon had risen, but wac now be-
| hind u low bank Of clouds. The breakers
were moaning. 1t was evident that a
| storm WAS approaching. 1t was nearly low
water, and a long stretch Of beach and
| reef lay between us and the sea.
| II held back u hit. He paced forward
! by himself, mounting ono of the sandy
| hillocks. Then he stood. black against the
Frightening SKY Suddenly his shrill call
rang ont; then his hoarsc shout, All
| hands, ahoyu
1t sent u cold shuddcr down my back
They're muttering, he whispered as
came up to him. Look But | saw
nothing, DON'T you SEQ ein, sir: he
said, pointing seward, with staring eyes.
Just then the moon emerged from the
| cloud which had oVerahaduwod her ana
struck the lire of breakers, which, CLINT
| ing in her beams, looked now like row
Of champing, white NAMED chargers at a
| halt
Captain, I'm here waiting ordcrsn
" The old man ; Voice rang out like a
| trumpet. He started, then again pointed
| seward
And What had come over me? Had
! his intense spirit compelled me alsoy
shook with establishment. In trembling
wonder stared, There, advancing like Il
| wreath Of mist across the dunes. came II
! figure in naval uniform. London Tom
seemed to BE- talking to him.
Yes, your honor! All present and
sober Pipe down: Ay, ay, sir
He wound II call on his whistle, one
sharp twit, followed by long whirring
vote, then fell backward into my arms
| lead "--Chumbers' journal.
"A Cheerful Giver.
Fond Mother Go her precious son, aged
! IL years Willie, what would you like to
! give your cousin Harry for his birthday?
| Willie (Who has his own opinion of
| Cousin Harry, aged l6)-I know what I'd
like to give him, but amt big enough