Gilpin observer., 1913-03-06


ing for his parson. Mrs. Mayo cooked
delicacies to be pushed under the
ropes for the minister's consumption.
The parish committee, at q special
session, voted an increase of salary
and ordered a weekly service Of pray
er for the safe delivery Of their young
leader from danger.
Kexiah Coffin was, perhaps, the one
person most disturbed by her parsons
heroism. She would have gone to the
shanty Immediately had not DR.. Par
did go as far as the ropes, but there
she was warded OF by Ebenezer until
Ellery came running out and bade hsr
come no nearer. Keziah, after more
expostulation, went back to the par
sonage. She wrote to Grace and told
her the news of the San Jose, but she
said nothing Of the minister's part in
1t. Poor thing!" sighed Keziah. she's
bearin' enough already"
The sick sailor grew no better. Days
and nights passed and he raved and
moaned or lay In = stupor. Ebenezer
acted as day nurse while Ellery slept,
and. at night, the minister, being
younger. went on watch. The doctor
came frequently. but said there was
no hope. A question Of time only. and
a short time. he said.
Capen occupied his mind with specu-
lations concerning the patient.
DO you know, parson," he said.
seems II I'd seen the feller some
where's afore. Course I never have,
but when I used to go whalin' wages
l cruised from one end Of creation to
t'other, pretty nigh, and I might have
met him"
That night the sick man was much
worse. His rawlings were incessant.
The wooden clock, loaned by Mrs. Par
ker. the doctors wife. licked steadily.
although half hour slow. Ellery,
glancing at it to see II the time had
come for giving medicine, suddenly
noticed how loud its ticking sounded.
Wondering at this, he was aware there
was no other sound in the house. He
rose and looked In at the door of the
adjoining room. The patient had
ceased to rave and was lying quiet on
the bed.
The minister tiptoed over to look at
him. And. as he did SO. the man
opened his eyes.
"Halloo!" he said family. who are
your"
Ellery, startled, made no answer.
who are you" demanded re man
again. Then. with an oath. he re-
peated the question, adding: What
place IL this? This amt the fo'castle
Where am II"
You're ashore. On Cape Cod. At
Trumet."
"Trumet! Trumet!"
He was struggling to raise himself
on his elbow. Ellery was obliged to
use force to hold him down. He strug-
gled again. Then his strength and his
reason left him simultaneously and the
delirium returned. He began to shout
name. a name that caused Ellery to
stand upright and step back from the
bed, scarcely believing his ears.
All the rest of that night the man
on the bed raved and muttered. but Of
people and places and happenings
which he had not mentioned before.
And the minister, listening intently to
II he also was not losing his mind.
When the morning came. Ebenezer
Capen was awakened by a shake to
find John Ellery standing over him.
"Capen." whispered the minister.
"Capen. get up. must talk with you.
You used to be a whaler. know.
Were you acquainted in New Bed
ford?"
"Sartin. Was a time when l could
have located every stick in It. pretty
nigh. by the smell. II you'd set me
down side Of 'em blindfolded."
Did you ever know anyone
named" He finished the sentence.
Wells wanted to. Pretty decent
felier one time, but fast goer, and
went downhill like young ones sled,
when he got started. His folks had
money. that was the trouble with him.
Why. course I knew him. He mar
RED"
81 know. Now, listen"
Ellery went on talking rapidly and
with great earnestness. Ebenezer lis
tened. at first silently. then breaking
in with calculations and grunts Of as
constituent He sat up on the edge of
the bed.
Rubbish" he cried at last. why.
tain't possible! The feller's dead as
Methusalem's grandmarm. remem-
ber how it happened and"
1T wasn't true. That much know.
know, tell you"
He went on to explain why he knew.
Capen's astonishment grew.
Judas priest!" he exclaimed again.
That would explain why l thought I'd
seem There! heave ahead. I've
got to see. But it's mistake. don't
believe it."
The pair entered the sick room.
The sailor lay in stupor. His breath.
ing was rapid. but faint. Capen bent
over him and gently moved the band