Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-06-24
Striking
0he
Commodore.


Of Philadelphia lay the q gun ship
Ariel, just arrived under the command
of Commodore Paul Jones. There were
in the city many persons who had never
seen that remarkable man, among them
Ben Wilson. a trim, powerful, young
jack tar of 25. who had lately married
| Susan Gray, Il humble but beautiful
damsel of IS. There had been another
suitor, also a sailor, named Thomas
Wright. who hated Wilson because Su-
san had preferred him and who, being of
cruel, malicious disposition, longed to
| do him some injury.
Ben shipped aboard the Ariel that he
might serve under the renowned hero.
Learning that Ben shipped, Wright, who,
like the former, had never seen Jones,
also became one of the Ariels crew. Nei-
ther, however. could yet get sight Of
the commodore, who was absent-would
not be back for week.
In a few days Wright was chosen to
act in place of the boatswain's mate. who
blowing on the call, ETC., now being to
punish with the colt-a coil of rope from
two to three feet long-and also with the
cat O nine tails, usually termed the
"cat," such of the sailors as offended"
against the rules of the ship, he ardently
hoped that he might yet have chance
to fog with his cruel lash the man he
hated for winning pretty Susan.
One day some of the crew were grant
ed permission to go ashore. They were
ordered to return to the ship at o'clock
The boatswain's mate, Wright. and Ben
Wilson were among them.
Unfortunately Ben drank, and in a
state of partial intoxication he visited a
few minutes before 8 o'clock, when he
should have repaired to the boat, the
Dolphin, tavern not 20 yards from the
landing.
1t was dark night. but by the bright
light streaming through the windows Of
the house Ben could see a middle sized,
broad shouldered man, enveloped in
shaggy overcoat, watching him with
mingled expression of stern disapproval
and amusement ON his broad, weather
beaten face.
"Hold there, my man." said this per-
son, laying hand on his shoulder.
whats your name. and what ship do
you belong to?'
"My name? Why, now, my name Is
Ben Wilson, and my ship is the Ariel,
but blast me If / know what business
1t is of yours"
"It is time you went to the boat. You
will get yourself into trouble if you don't
go in time. Bear hand.'
"Aye. aye. all we'll; but l amt ready
yet, do you seeT'
"Come. you must gow and the hand ON
Wilson's shoulder pressed it heavily.
"Let go of me-" cried Ben angrily, but
the other, half smiling, gripped him yet
more firmly.
Then Ben made a blow at him, which
the man parried. when a struggle ensued.
Ben fought his best, but the man at
length succeeded in grasping him round
the arms from behind, in which position
Wilson was literally carried to within a
few fathoms Of the boat, when, seeing
number of the sailors approaching, the
stranger released his hold and, laughing.
made off in the darkness.
TITS lucky you came when you did"
said tile cockswain. "We wouldn't have
waited for you many seconds longer"
81 wouldn't have been here if old Nick
or somebody like him hadn't brought
me-" was the reply.
Just then the boatswain's mate
Wright, who had been an unseen witness
of the struggle toward its termination,
but who in the gloom had not been able
to obtain a good view of the strangers
face, made his appearance, coming in the
same direction in which the man had
vanished.
''It was l." he whispered to the cock
swain, who brought Wilson. He attack
ed me near the Dolphin because l re-
quested him to go to the boat. had to
let him loose when l got him most here,
and run, as you saw, for l was afraid he
would stab me-"
The boats crew was soon aboard, when
Wright lost no time in reporting that he
had been attacked and struck by Wilson.
This the latter denied, of course, saying
1t was a citizen and stranger with
whom he had had his combat, but he
was not believed.
The court martial was held the next
day, when Jones arrived on board, Will
son being still kept in the brig, whence
he could not see the commodore. There
was a singular expression In the face Of
Paul Jones when the court martial was
ended. and the sentence Of the prisoner
100 lashes on the bare back with the cat
was pronounced.
The next morning was appointed for \
the execution of the sentence. When the
time came, the master at arms brought
up the prisoner. and took off his irons
On one of the gratings. placed just for
ward Of the gangway. he was made to
stand, his feet being fastened with worm
ing and his hands secured, wide apart, to
the bulwarks. Along came Wright.
scarcely able to conceal his exuitation as
he drew the cat from its sheath and low
ingly stroked the strings.
go on, boatswain's mate" said the
captain.
Wright lifted the laDh on high, but at
that moment the voice of Paul Jones,
who now appeared. doomed like thunder
on his startled ear:
Hold! Avast, you rascal"
And he stepped round so that Wilson
could see him. The young sailor looked
up at him with start. then colored.
then turned pale.
Commodore" he stammered, IL |
my God, sir!-l was little in liquor on
that night. but recognize your face. 1t |
was you who took hold of me, there by |
the Dolphin tavern, and carried me al |
most to the boat. God knows l would |
not have struck at you had known who |
It was"
Enough" answered the latter. 81 |
forgive you"
Then he turned on Wright.
"Tbe court martial was a farce" con-
tinued Paul Jones. 81 wanted to see if |
this Wright would really have the heart
to carry out his falsehood. Now cut loose
that man Wilson and put Wright in his
place. Give him round dozen, then let
him be broken and put in the after
guard"
AS to Wilson. never after that. greatly
to the joy of his pretty wife Susan.
would he touch another drop of alcohol.
New York News.