The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-06-15
YOUNG SPONTANEOUSLY.
From Tho New YORK Weekly.

W NaI oSo II community
OF L.Nerpoe!. England were much inter
ested in a cast of somnambulism. which
occurred on a vessel bound to that place
from India. lit was reported on the arrival
of the vessel. and subsequently, Il ommun
lcation on the subject was made to one OF
the local papers. Its thrilling and peculiar
character renders it wen worthy of repub-
~lication in these %lunn
AS passengers on board of this vessel
were MIR. Mills, wife. and child. MIR. Mills
had for a long time occupied a lucrative
mercantile position in Calcutta, and was
now returning to his native land to re-
main. Both himself and wife were we'll
bred English people, and it had always
been Their desire, whenever their circum-
stances would permit it, to return to Eng
land, and live ut ease in some of the pretty
rural suburbs of one of the cities. Year
after year this had pecn postponed. but at
length Mr.. Mills closed up his affairs, and
embarked his precious ones. His child
was a bright boy of - years. who had
heen born in India, but was perhaps the
most anxious of the three to land on the
shores of England. of which country he
had heard only praise.
The reader ma easily imagine the
cheerfulness and joy in the hearts of per-
sons thus situated. Hence they made a
merry party on board the ship. and were
popular with passengers, officers. and
crew. John Mills, the boy. was an especial
faNorite, and had the liberty of every part
of the vessel.
one day the wcather-heaten captain and
MIR. Mills We're on deck. looking at the boy
as he ran about. 1t was quite a calm sea.
and John gamboled over the deck as cas-
lily as if on the land.
"a pohlo 1oJ -, .oil d. a.,4,: ..N5,
Mills you ought to be a proud father
NThank you. captain" replied Mr.. Mills.
with tears of honest pride and joy stand
ing IN his eyes. II an proud. | can assure
you. But do YOU know that at times / feel
great distress about him."
"Distlcss.' repeated the captain. Why
what about. 1 should like to know? He is
in the prime of health-he is Intelligent
his prospects in life are good. What more
do YOU want"
~ will tell YOU the trouble" said Mr..
Mills, with n serious face. Ever since
John was five years of age he has been a
somnambullst. His mother and myself are
in constant apprehension that in some of
THESE spells harm may come to HIM"
Inc klnd-hearted captain at once set to
work to quiet the fears of tho father.
Hell outsrow It'll am sure he WILL
he said. II don't think anything will hap
pen. But" he added, as he looked again
upon the boy as he bounded by; but I'd
watch him, especially on board ship, for
he is too noble a lad to be exposed to lam
GER
Days passed on. The weather was ia
Norablc. and every one on board was con-
SequentlN in good spirits. The deck and
cabin were scenes of constant social inter-
changes and amusement. In fact. the
good Cd captain repeatedly declared that
in all his experience at sea he had never
had a more agreeable company, or more
satisfactory weather.
Matters were in this happy condition one
afternoon, when there came a suddcn ex-
clamation from Mrs. Mills:
where's John?"
"John-John, where are you?" shouted
ME-. Mills. springing to his feet and rush.
ing through the main cabin.
He's safe on deck, undoubtedly" said !
one.
Hes with the captain" suggested an
BY this time Mr.. Mills was on deck.
whore he soon confronted the captain.
Great heaven. captain. where's John?
the father.
~ do not know replied the captain.
b is not on deck
The faces of both men were blanched.
In an instant the ship was N an uproar,
No one had seen tho boy. With frantic |
cries the father and mother searched in
every possible place in the cabin. and the
crew searched the decks. A dreadful an
p%rehension was settling upon all. This was
the boy had fallen overheard.
AT this particular time the captain
looked aloft. Not with any idea of seeing '
the boy. but as a matter of habit and duty.
All the sails We're set and it was not easv
to see all parts of the rigging. To the can
surprise and joy he discovered John
perched on one of the upper crosstrees.
Look aloft.! Look aloft". he cried.
There's the lad on the crosstrces."
The passengers and crew at once crowd
ed near him.
My boy is asleep! oh. Heaven," was the
exclamation of the father.
Mrs. Mills fell to the deck unconscious at
the terrible danger Of her son. All were
with horror.
The ship plowed on. Every sail was
lull OF the fair and steady wind, and not a
the ropes in the blocks and the falling OF
The waves from the bow. Their sat the
BOY on the crosstrees, with enc arm round
he mast. He was evidently asleep, and
1T any instant, by suddenly awakins,
night fall to the deck or into the sea. No
'ne uttered a ~ord-not an order was
in an instant the captain him
self was seen ascending the rigging. He
up nimbly and quickly. Every eye
vas bent upon him. and then upon the
BOY.
Hearts almost ceased to beat. and tears
an uoWn the cheeks OF passengers and
sailors. Up and up went the captain. AT
he reached the place where the bow
vas seated. Cautiously he raised his
lands, and in another instant they held
he boy in their firm grasp. With a start
10 awoke, and fell back into the arms of
lis prescrver.
in 9 few moments more he was safe IN
he arms Of his weeping and yet overioyed
ather. The passengers and sailors rent
he air with cheers for the captain ana
10Y. The good ship seemed to dash for
with new speed. and reached her
'ort with all on board safe and we'll.
overeonfidence.
From the New York Tribune
Genarol T0laaoort IDor+o, U