The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-09

the foreign lands and get promoted.
Come over to the hotel and sign for
voyage"
In minute Benny had signed a
greasy looking book, received a dollar
and was told to be at the wharf at
that evening as the boat would be
there ready to take him to the Kitty
Bell. which would sail at once.
Just in time said the man he had
hired himself to sail with. tumble in
And Benny and his carpet-covered
gripsack soon were on their way
across the harbor.
A most unpleasant odor from a
small sailing vessel they approached
made the boy hope that they would
soon be out of its neighborhood; but
instead, the boat was pulled alongside
Here" exclaimed Benny, II am
not going to ship any little fishing
boat like this. I'm not going in any
ship that is not big enough to make
a voyage. You are fooling me and
/ won't CO."
'All right" replied the mate; ''stay
here and be comfortable" and while
the rest of the crew climbed aboard,
Benny stayed behind, declaring what
he would and what he would not do,
till suddenly the boat was hoisted
bodily out of the water and brought
to the deck amid the laughter of
the men.
II am going ashore right now"
declared the boy Indignantly.
Good bye, give my regards to
the folks" laughed the captain of
the oyster-boat, who had just come
up from below
ssLIara a.. tba faIio,r tha+,. -.o;,,r, +o
Japan" sang out one of the crew.
He wants to go home and drive
oxen," Knocked another. Then the
haunting chorus of a sea song be-
gam
I'VE are outward bound to the China
Seas,
With the grog just served and
fav'ring breeze.
And to all we say each lubber agrees;
Oh, no. fer ole Japanl"
The leader of the singing stood
under a lantern, and Benny did not
miss him when he flung a bucket. 1t
struck him fairly in the chest. and
there was a yell of approval of the
boys courage in attacking Spanish
Joe, the biggest man on board.
But the captain held up warning
hand.
mo scrapping, boys. He's fresh,
but all right. Here, boy, you must
not fight. Your name is down for
dredging. You will learn lot and
you better go easy or you viii get
a ropes end. Lend hand at the
anchor there. No back talk"
Thereafter Benny worked at the
back-brealxing dredging, pulling up
the heavy dredge with its load Of
shells and oysters, toiling in all sorts
of weather, generally in the hot sun
Of the late September days, and grow
ing wiser as he gained a wider view
of life and its hardships.
He tried at first to get ashore
when the boat came into harbor with
the results of the work, but he had
not much chance the first week. and
after that he concluded to wait till
he got his wages.
There was a good deal OF 10Y too
for the boat was in charge of an ex-
ceptionally fair and kindly man
though he did follow the bad example
Of others and get young men to sign
under false representations.
Does EN- good" was his excuse
and perhaps, In many cases. Il did.
One day when Aunt Mlllie was
selecting some small pie pumpkins
for a Thanksgiving dinner she was
surprised TO find Benny standing be-
side her in the barn shed. Mercy
Why, I thought you went to Japan"
she exclaimed.
mo" said the boy, as he gave
nautical hitch 10 his trousers. which
had not been again supplied with eus-
penders. IT saw enough Of japan
without going very far from Boston.
have concluded 70 let myself for
year 10 Silas Weatherhed. He wrote
me down there IN the city that he'd
give me eighteen a month and my
board. Hullo, here Il Bosei old
dog seems glad 70 see me. SENS
kinder geod % get horna."