Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-10-11

| honor In him TO escort MS puSSeHSe
round the sights of the port Ever
day, therefore, while the vessel RI
manned In dock he and his frien
would set out to. see the sights, att
since these, to the sailor, meant oftel
the red lamps of the tavcrns, thei
Journey would always end In one o
the innumeruble places which entertain
those engaged in or attached to mari
time pursuits. once settled In one O
these places the captain would refus'
to stir: and there he would sit so Ions
as he had money in his pocket, burning
himself up with rum and calling OF
the crowd who came and went betweef
the swinging doors to live merrly, b!
which he apparently meant to drink
deeply.
"Then his companion, freed from this
old man of the sea, would wander
about the port. finding his wa, always
ut nightfall TO the place where old
| David Ferguson watched by his fire
| Seated on a pile of timber he would
observe the gloomy looks of his COM
panions, and with commiseration for
their misfortunes would talk much OF
America and freedom. of unequal mar
riage laws, of the shackles of English
men, of freedom again and always of
America, and once more America, I'M
til the circle of outcasts, who had
nothing to gain or lose IL an empire
fell. would sit half through the night In
pity for themselves and their mis-
managed country. Happening to pass
one night and seeing the close inter
est Of the men, ! stayed for minute
to listen. The speaker was describing
some ideal state which existed in
America. but not until he named the
state did 1t occur to me what the man
was after. In Utah. were his words.
why, the fellows n Mormon said to
myself, and just then old Ferguson, who
had been leaning out of his shed, his
eyes fixed on the fire, his mouth so con-
tracted that it seemed to have disap-
ing the closest attention, bent down
to reach coal for his fire, at the same
time asking some question of the Nor
mon which did not hear
LAS old as he likes to JOHN replied
the man. AS | came away an old man
left the circle and Joined me. He's
got deal to say for himself that theer,'
he observed.
"Is none of it worth much?' | asked.
"'Eh. | don't know. | pay no atten
ton. l just sits me down and warns
myself as always, and then l comes
away and leaves him to his talking. But
he's plenty to say l laughed and babe
the old man good night. and went on
home, thinking no more of the matter. |
For nearly two months, it seems,
the vessel remained in dock undergo |
ing repairs, and at the end of that time !
the bibulous captain and his friend dis |
appeared, and were never heard OF
again to my knowledge. Their place
at the Rovers' Return was filed at
once by other dodgers. and In a short
time almost every one had forgotten
them.
ut was about month later that the
singular incident occurred which l am
about to relate to you. Returning to
my house one night, stood for mo.
ment or two at the top of a street look
ing down upon the river, which, with
its lights and signals, had the appear.
ance of vast illumination. Straight
DOWN the hill dipped the double row of
street lamps. displaying whirliglg of
figures In the dark space between. In
front of me. upon a blurred eXpanse
which knew for the opposite bank of
the river, was a multitude Of tiny.
.winkling stars, and stationary or
moving vaguely about on the darkness,
ike men searching with lanterns, were
he red lights of passing steamers. On
either side of the river long rows of
amps flung steady CLEAN upon that
liquid street; high above them swung
he enormous lantern of the tower, and
ar down the great waterway the sig
lal light flashed against the sky swift
Y, mechanically, showing the entrance
o ships in the channel. Here and
here on the dim surface OF the river
roubled blots of light were floating I
ike lamps washed out to sea. Behind
ne, turning suddenly, | saw the moon,
great yellow moon, rising behind the 1
hlmneys and adding its share to the
eneral illumination. 1t was as If the I
treets and the heavens were SO many
lazing ways lighting the wanderers of {
wo worlds to the rim of the great cup ;
f the sea in whose uncertain surface
hey might discern the phantom shapes 1
nd figures of futurity.
Suddenly, as l turned to go down I
he hill, became aware of two figures {
dvancing toward me, an old woman. {
areheaded and making a moaning {
ound as she walked, and with her, as q
seemed guard upon her, small G
man. l recognized them /
5 the landlady Of the Royers' Return i
nd her son, and as they came nearer l l
ould hear that the moaning sound +
hich came from the old woman was S
reality the rapid utterance of words. L
'ithout looking at anything round her Il
lie cried: Let me go after my old lad, d
tell you! I'll not stop here and him b
l the other side of the world. Oh, my b
,or lad. I'll follow YOU'LL find you Il
II come to the worlds II
Id after your b
Here the hunchback caught her by e
e arm and endeavored to distract her V
tention. Come back home, mother 81