The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11
A North Sea Adventure
BY LUCILLE vIRDEN. Montgomery, Aya.

Elliott. his older sons, who had turned out so we'll
 Mrs' Thornton was a society woman. and was deeply disappointed fin Law renee. who though the handsomest of ner sons was shy and positively awk- ward and embarrassed among people. fl complete failure In society
 Lawrence tried to reason to himself why 1t all was, but he could find no soiutlon to the problem. He was not conceited, he knew, and, above all tnihsS. ne ionged to associate with peo- pie. But some how he could not do it. In some unexplicable way he seemed to antagonize every one. For this reason ms southern home had become unbear aole 10 hlm, so that, in desperation he hao lett, and came to New York in search or work. He could no longer pear to be dependent upon his father ana ne plainly saw that he could never become a lawyer. But 1t was the same olo story In New York, no help seemed 10 De needed anywhere. For a month. ne .ruaged about the city until, 'hally his money nearly gone, he be- ca,ne desperate and decided that if he dld not find work of some sort in the next day. he would kill himself. rather than beg.
 
 Thornton had heard of the "Manetho" that was bound for the Klondyke, and srasplng at this last straw, he had taken passage with the lowest class as IL LOOK his last cent to pay his way. It was Tn half-hearted manner that he undertook this last venture. He ex pected 1t to fail as every thing else did As he gazed at the. deep blue depths be- low him this morning, he longed to he swallowed up by them, and to end all the sorrow there.
 The "Manetho piled on. and. lucki- ly, owing to the season of the wear cape Horn was passed in safety. and all breathed a sigh of relief as inc fynansa raeane stretched ht out in blue, peaceful ter or delay. the great ship steamed by Chill, the Isthmus, Mexico, Califor- mia and the Canadian shores In one days journey Alaska would be in sight.
 That night Lawrence Thornton walk ed the deck long time. In the last lew days new hopes had gathered in ms ms heart. He had listened to the min CTS tales of fabulous wealth obtained Tn the Alaskan mines. If he could only | snow his father and mother that he was able to do something-if he could minute at the saloon window. Several men were lounging around. Two play ed billiards at a table in one end of .r 1ne room But the sight that caught Ihorntons attention was the figure of an old man crouched in one corner Ills hoary head was dropped forward. and bowed low on his breast. Thorn ton wondered that so old a man, for he looked to be seventy or more. should attempt that long and perilous jonrney. As he stood at the window thinking about 1t, one of the men at the billiard table threw down his cue and said to his friend
 Let's stop playing. old fellow. I'm tired" and with this he sauntered over to where the old man was sitting.
 Look here. old sailor" he exclaimed. Cant you tell us d story of your young days. You had some stirrins adventures. no doubt.
 The other men in the room came for ward, and joined in the entreaty. They had been on ship many weeks, almost every form of amusement had been ex- hausted and here was chance for something to while away the time.
 The old man at last raised his head.