The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-10-19

it don't prove that I am not a clergyman.
just think, Captain. OF my awful position.
Ny family and people will think that I
have run away with some woman. or been
murdered. OF fallen into the river I I'm
plore You 10 put me ashore before IL IL too
late"
1 noticed that though the man was UNI
steady in his legs, and looked considerable
dazed in the face. his head was clear. for
he could talk as glib as any lawyer. ! be-
gan TO think that there might be something
in his story. and 50 did Smedley. who was
Il goCd-hearted man, who had heen hope
fully pious ever since he was d boy. So
| wasn't so very much surprised when
Smedley said: My man. l don't believe
YOUR story. b1t I'm not the man 10 do any
body an injustice. The steward IS going
ashore In a few minutes. and I'll have him
so to your church and inquire il they have
missed the parson. II they say yes I'll
set you ashore. II they say no you'll
stop aboard and have a double allowance
OF work served -cHt--to you. Now.
go forrard and keep cut or my sight
until ] send for you. OH Just take In the
slack Of that port mizzen royal brace. and
then go foFTard where YOU belong
The man sid. Thank you. sir. You'H
find that my story is correct; and then
he went to The main rigging. and laid his
hand on the mizzen royal brace without 20
mflch ~ looking aioft to see II he had got
hold OF the right rope.
Nov. you hound" says Smedley. Don't
you open your mouth againgabout being A
clergyman. How did YOU know where the
mizzen royal brace was unless YOU were a
saiior2 Is Your church fun rugged. with all
the running gear OF a packet-Ship2 Get out
OF my sight before I hit you"
But, captaini" said the man. 1t Is true
that / was a sailor when / was a boy. but
that was twenty years ago. Besides. 1
often preach TO sahCrs. and I take pains
to remember all about "a ship. l assure you
that ! am a clergyman. and your steward
win find that I have told the truth"
BY this time I was so sick Of the man
that l took him by the scru6 Of the neck
and ran hin forrard. and told him that il
he didn't turn 10 cheerfully. I'd make him.
II l used up every b~elaying-pin in the ship
over his head He didn't make any an
swer. but went below. and, as I suppose.
turned in. with a view TO getting more
sober before the regular work OF the ship
should begin.
That night We chose watches. and. hav-
ing the last choice. | took the man Thomp-
son into the port watch. calculating that
I'd have considerable trouble with him be-
fore we got TO Liverpool. But he turned
TO Ike a man. and proved that he was 4
hrst-class Eailorman. The next afternoon.
as he was at the wheel. and the captain
and most of the passengers below. l said
to him; Are you ashamed by this time
OF the yarn you told the captain about
your being a clergyman"
NO. sir" said Thompson. = am never
a. hamed OF the truth. ] admit that made
a bad impression On you ana the captain
when / showed thatsI knew the running
gear. but l am glad that I did not attempt
any ceHcealment In the matter"
Then you stick to your yarn" says l.
4 said. sir" says he. that / am n
clergyman. which is perfectly true. / shall
bring an action against the captain and the
owners when l get hack To New York. and
then l shall produce my proofs. I know
that Il is too late 10 put me ashore now.
but the least the captain could do would be
TO Dut me into the cabin as a hrst-class
passenger. The time Is coming when he
viii regret having treated a clergyman with
such inhumanity."