Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-05-24
word with the Snowman, and began to
shake his numh and riQid limbs

buhho HIS uuulD auO IlBlO IlIuDS.
''This is indeed romantic, muttered
Narcissus. But he felt cold sensa-
tion creeping up his back.
The Snowman continued his task of
opening the boxes. One by one the
wax ngures stepped forth, shook them
selves aud felt their joints. When the
last box was opened, there were six
of them, besides the Snowman. Each
man drew out pistols and knives,
looked to the locks, and replaced the
weapons in convenient positions.
"Well," thought Narcissus, ''that
is the most wicked-looking gang of
cut-throats lever set eyes on. This
lie altog sther too romantic. I wish l
was home"
Bnt his thoughts were interrupted
by the sound Of the showman's voice:
"All ready" snid he, in hoarse
whisper.
"All ready" was the Whispered re-
ply.
Then, here we goI'
With cat-like tread they stole away
in the darkness.
Nnrcissus would have called out;
his tongue Glove to the roof of his
mouth. He would have risen; his
head seemed glued to his pillow. A
cold perspira ion broke out upon him.
He had realized the fact that the
Snowman and his comrades were pi-
rates.
The minutes passed on. Thy
seemed hours to him. Then he heard
an outcry; the trampling of feet on the
deck over his head; the short bark of
pistols. muttered curses, groans; then
there was wild yell of triumph; the
sound OF conversation; then he heard
at i.terva the sound of heavy bodies
dropping into the wa "Splash!
Splash! Splash!"
1t was altogeth er too romantic. Mar.
cissus tainted away
When he came to his senses he had
experienced complete revulsion of
feeling. The ocean to him was dis
tasteful. He was enamored of green
fields aud babb'ing brooks. He would
have exchanged the Atlantic can for
the smallest brook that ever ran. His
fevered fancy carried him to the
meadows around his native city; he
thought of the flowers thare; of the
smiling grain and
''Boomt'
What was that? 1t sounded like
ca mot shot.
There was cracking sound. The
side of the vessel seemed to be burst
ing in. The planks and splinters flew,
and from the midst there emerged
round-shot-a jolly, pudgy round-
shot, which came wildly skipping along
tie deck toward him. AS it neared
him it made final bound, and i'm
bedded itself in the wood right over
his head
Again Narcissus lost his senses. He
liked romance, but he was getting too
mucl of it at one time.
When Narcissus recovered con-
sciousness he found himself lying
upon the deck of the brig. There
We're irons upon his hands, irons upon
his feet. On either side of him
squatted swarthy sailor, each with
cutlass, and each watching him with
the most fattering attention.
Narcissus turned his head. Behind
him lay hts friend, the Snowman, in
the same predicament as himself
Ranged in symmetrical rows lay the
comrades of the Snowman, all ironed
and guarded. Lying near the brig
was large man of war with the Span
ish flag flying.
".Sir," said Narcissus, addressing
the Snowman, ''can You tell me what
all this means?"
Hallo!'' was the reply, "why
there's the little landlubber. I'd for
got you completely. Certainly; I'll
take great pleasure in telling you all
about i. Do you see the yards of
that ship?"
What are the yards?" asked Mar
cissus, gravely.
''Ha! ha! Well, you see those poes
that run across the masts?"
"Yes."
"Do you see man astride of one
of them at the end?"
"Yes.'
"Do you know what he is doing?"
"No."
"He's fixing a rope
"a rope! What for?"
"To hang us.
"To ha-to hang us! To hang you,
you mean.''
"No-us"
"Why-w why-what do you mean?
You are pirate; I am poet. NY
name is Brown-Narcissus Brown;
and 1 live"
"Oh, well, tell them SO, then.
T,ere's an oiGcer.''
Assuming an air of dignity tenn
pered with submission, Narcissus ad-
dressed the Office, detailing the story
of wv he came to be aboard the brig.
The officer interrupted him curtly in
Spanish, by giving an order to one of
the sailors.
''Well, said the Snowman, "do you
know what he said?''
mo"
''He said, Gag that cur"