The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-09

a
OF the crew could be seen sprawlng about
wherever he could find place, laboriousy scratching
away on paper which had been secured the pur-
sers the captain having directed that func-
writing, to ali and sunry personal charge Down
In the cabin the ward-room officers doing the
same thing and in the steerage quiet had
as the Youngsters gathered around the table
and wrote their letters
The officers watch the lookouts and the men
at the wheel were relieved in time to permit them
enjoy the privilege Boston, having finished his
letter and being off watch went deck sauntered
Forward He found old Jack Lang leaning the rail
abaft the after swifter of the starboard
ttvey looking at the ATLANTA captured brig hove
to short distance away.
Written your letters JACKIE? asked the boy.
Master Ned" said the old man, using the familiar
seeing they were alone the nearest people be
busy in the slow aborously writing
nanas making what sailor would call heavy weather
or 1t-Master Ned, I amt writ jest
thnkin that there amt nobody on earth that I kin
write TO- The OF woman is dead long sence got
darter that's married, but she went Kntucky an
I've lost sight of her fer years. doubt but
forgot me- My three boys, eastways they're grow
now, IS saAor-men, an God knows where they is I
don't It's the fate of him wot goes the
ships as hev heerd the Holy on the Constitution
say, to sarve all his life under the flag an hev
friends in the endin of it,
Every man the ship is your friend. Jack" said
Boston.
Ay, sir, in course. But the life a made
up of lot of long cruises friends
or enemies the may be, ship. Once off
the ship, they'd fergit me-
But won't Jack" said Boston, affectionately lay
ing his hand on his companions arm.
The old man literally thrilled pleasure at the
touch as he looked down the boy loved.
mo, guess not Master Ned he said simply, IAN
no more won't fergit amt forgot you, Master
Ned, sence fust seed ayn' floor with yer
dead nanny on the transom above ye men was
jeerin an laughn' Wen they was detailed to
take keer but didn't keer. yer
that I'd do my We, I've done it. That didn't
perwent from knockin' up some OF the men who
was most insultin pretty like So
all, you're all I've got. Sailor no home
His homes his ship, you an the ship here
don't need to write letters
i wish somebody could tell me something about
father" !" keep
more and more about them all the time wasn't far
from here that picked up, you know, and if we
hold present course the captain says we are
likely to do it, We'll run down to the very spot. Some
thing might happen
1T mougft," said the sailor.
You don't think it will, do you?"
IT don't know. I can't tell Mighty strange things
often happens on sea, an perhaps they will ag'in.
hope SO fer your sake, anyway, lad
Il hope so, too So
well, wotever happens to We, Master Ned, an
think sometimes you'll turn out to be dock king,
vaguely, impeled thereto by his admiration for his
handsome young charge, you won't fergit yer OF
friends, an turn yer back any of 'em." ..sz-z
= ~Never!''' said the boy. 'And to be moth
ing but plain American boy. If found my
he turned out to be ANYTHING else I'd almost be sorry
ever found him., he added, passionately.
That's the true blue, my little hearty!' laughed the
OLD man; there amt no dock ner king that I'm
quainted with, witch I'll admit don't VERY many
of the sort, that ekas the that say flag
at the gaff-end yonder, That's mine!''
All that have yer letters writ" called out the
boatsWain's mate of the watch after piping
ton bring them aft to the mast. Mairn five
minutes. So bear hand scribblers!"
The time had come when the writing of the mes
sages must be stopped then. There prodgious
hurry to get the letters safely in their envelopes and
those enveops properly sealed and addressed
appointed time all ready. Geisinger, with stout
mailbag stuffed to bursting messages grave
and to officials mothers fathers sweethearts wives
and children, shook hands with his captain touched
his hat to the colors, dropped lightly down into his
boat, and was rowed to the Atalana. The men
hung the rail watching while she swung her
yards and filled away.
They happy successful seamen on a
lucky and well-found ship, commanded by humane
captain, and officers who took their cues from him
could we'll be, yet, there many full hearts and
swimming eyes which they would have died than
show to their shpmaes, they upon the little
brig ripping to the westward, home And
there would have been wetter eyes fuller hearts,
and longing chances after her. if they could
have realized that the little brig last words
that to be received by those loved ones at
home from any member of the crew, two, that
noble little Ship -
(To be continued.)