The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-01-04
JnE GREW OF the MARY ANN.

| IL wa the dog-watoh conclave on tn
Mary Ann, whaler, from Nantucket. Sh
had been long from home and months from
any land, cruising In the Pacific, MAXIM
her way in slow, irregular fashion towsrt
the Sandwich Islands, and the hearts Of tn
men were sore for change.
Abel Macy, sitting on the spare topmasl
that lay along by the forward house,strucl
the keynote OF the common fesling,l ant
started the chorus OF talk by saying:
Wish we were up to the Islands.
Wish we were at homo while YOU'RE
about 1t,
The Islands amt SO far away.
Well, we've betn bouts far from every
things we could get for good while.
Whales, too.
Yes, whales n all. The old Mary Ann''
luck's had bad turn.
What's to the Islands. anyhow sKanakss
I'd like to see the FOLKS.
I'd like to ses-well-the baby.
Ha! hal ha!
Ny land Don't that sound about right
There she blows, blowsl Got . baby Of
my own.
Nobody supposed that whale was at
hand. but Bill Koowles's expressions were
unique, and any suggestion that struck him
with pleasure was apt to be greeted with
the same announcement which he accorded
to q whale.
I'D like to see mother, and wouldn't care
IL she Was brlngin' 10 pumpkin pie.
Guess there's folks between mother and
the baby some Of us would like to see-this
from Sam Wilbur, the Young boat steerer
Of the mates boat. Pears ~ II l could
shut my eyes and see her coming out under
the apple-tree.
Wal, you'd better shut your eyes again,
and see yourself In BY the kitchen nre.
Don't ys know the apple-trees are bare as
iightning.rod now and It's snowin' to
homes 'Tain't but three weeks to Christ
mas,
Anybody else anybodyd like to sect
Nights we'll fll the whole bill.
Yes, Santa Claus.
S'pose ye expect to see him comm along
riding on porpoise, like = picture Of Nep-
tune.
Bilrd take him for . whale an harpoon
him, Ike - not.
Comes from the arctic, don't he, same ~
the nests Maybe VEN msst some Of them
1t the Islands on their way home.
Maybe they'd take some things for us. II
we'd get 'em ready, to the women an
children for next years stockings.
There she blowt! Certain we'll have
something ready for 'sm. ''~'
The notion was approved unanimously
The mate, who had sauntered forward to
see what Was going on, stood At the corner
Of the house. Tell We, he said. Take some
number ten duck and make . pair Of stock
ings big enough TO hold the whole bust
ness.
The bost-steerer had slipped away iotf
the forecastle, and came back. II was dait
row, except for the stars. he bad bis con.
certina. IL was months since he had toucl :
cd It. The drawn notes Of "Home,
Sweet Home" began to sound.
Whist u going on for'srd3 said the cap
tain. when the uste came aft.
The mate laughed. Oh, they are getting
ready to keep Christmas with the folks at
home. Then he explained.
S uni Captain Crane Was solitary mar.
He hsd no wife, no child, no near kindred
The old Mary Ann 10 home for me. be
stid
Il, had sailed Ia her for years, and knew
Iq,t what the would do under all cond
gions, He gave hls whole mind TO bis tuF-
irsss. His one thought was whales Hi'
voyssa we're almost always very success
fai. But this voyage bad been an sxcep-
ton. Days and weeks bad passed, and the
shi, bad seemed to Wander simlsss and use-
ltss over the waste OF waters.
Christmas. sAid the captain Whats
Christmsss Ge-gsus- gimcrscks.
IL might brii K turn ri luck. said the
nate. thinking o. bis ~iie End chiltrcn.
rbr e.p,sin walked ih.iieck. and did no.
s.tm ifeiis,d 10 ke' ? % the copversstioni
but for sll thai, bs fsn 10 thiukirg OF IN
~on,ed hinge. {. VAS fofty.ysars since
be had ran Away 10 ses, And 10 all that
line Cbri,' mm hsd Lsi very few tender
assc istisns for him. Bot nov, ~ he psc-
ea and isrnsf, sld paced again bis shor,
wax, be rm. mbend bis early toyhcoo
:. bone Even from tbs, far past little
Chri.t.aa. love warmed bii heart, ard 10
splss Of himself be felt lonely.
X. passed The mate ~ be wen, below.
I've 70, . spare chest. he said. They'll