THE SAILOR BOY.



CAPTAIN TRUEMAN, when only a small boy, went on board of a large ocean steamer, to commence a seafaring life.

He was a bright, cheerful, active boy, and his mother loved him very much, and wanted him to become a sober, useful man. But she thought that he would be greatly tempted on shipboard, for many of the sailors were drunken and profane; so she asked him to promise her that he would never touch or taste a drop of liquor; and when he gave her his farewell kiss, he made the desired promise.

He was soon a great favorite with the captain of the ship, the weather was pleasant, and for a while everything moved along smoothly; but, by-and-by, there came a fearful storm, and all the crew, even the little sailor boy, had to work all night to keep the ship afloat.

After the storm had somewhat abated, the captain called all hands together, and gave to each a ration of whisky. He said that they had worked very hard, and that they needed it. But when he offered the cup to the boy, he refused it. The captain commanded him to take it as a medicine, but the brave lad said that he was not sick and did not need it. He reminded the captain that he had promised his mother to take good care of him. 

"And I promised her in God's name," said the boy, looking his commanding officer full in the face, "that I would never touch or taste a drop of liquor."

The captain laughed and called him a fool, and pretended that he did not care, but in truth he was very angry. Shortly afterward, although the sea was still rough, and the ship was plunging fearfully, the captain ordered the boy to go aloft. The sailors expected that he would disobey; but he did not hesitate a moment, up he went. Once or twice he lost his hold, as seen in the engraving, but regained it, and came down in safety.

He was afraid to disobey his mother, or break the promise he had made to God; but he was not afraid to climb the ropes, although the vessel was tossing, and the seabirds were screaming about the rigging. His head was steady and his arms were strong.

Not long after that, while the ship was lying in port, the captain and some of the men went ashore; the boy remained on board. The officers and men, who were left in charge of the ship, forced open the captain's room, and helped themselves to his choice liquors, and were soon dead drunk below.

After a little while, the boy, who was in another part of the ship, thought that he smelt something burning, and looking about found the captain's room on fire, for the sailors had been smoking, as well as drinking, in the room. He worked very hard, and soon succeeded in putting out the flames.

You may be sure that the captain, when he returned, was very glad and thankful; for he saw that the brave lad had not only saved the ship, but the crew, who were too drunk to save themselves. After that no liquors were kept on board of that ship.

The noble boy who had the courage to keep his promise, and never touched or tasted a drop of liquor, is now the captain of a large, fine ocean steamer, a temperance ship.




Sel.