Read Ebook: Captain John's Adventures; or The Story of a Fatherless Boy by Anonymous

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Ebook has 201 lines and 11861 words, and 5 pages

When John came near to the captain, his heart began to beat quickly, and he made the best bow that his country education had taught him. It would have been a hard heart that could not feel for him, as he stood with his straw hat in his hand, his brown curling hair setting off his honest countenance, which, young as it was, wore an expression of care. It is sad to see trouble clouding the brow of childhood; but He who sends affliction, will send strength to bear it, if we ask Him. Though John's father had been dead but a few weeks, he had thought more in that short time than in his whole life before. While he read God's precious promises to his mother, he learned to pray to that merciful God, and love the kind Saviour.

No doubt it was the Lord's kindness which turned the heart of the old captain toward the little fatherless boy. No sooner did he see John's modest bow and serious face than he felt an interest in him.

'Sit down on the steps, my little man, and tell me your name. I suppose you live in one of these cottages?'

John's simple story was soon told. When he mentioned his father's name, the old sailor called to his wife, 'I say, Sally, come here; this is Richard Leddam's son: many's the job your father has done for me, child. Wife, give him something to eat; I suspect the locker at home is empty.'

John's heart had been so full that he did not know how hungry he was, till Mrs. Newton set before him some bacon and bread. They smiled to see him enjoy his meal; but all at once he stopped eating, and said, 'Please, sir, let me take this to the children, they are so hungry!'

'Sally,' said the captain, 'put some more on the plate; as it's but a step, we will walk along and see poor Leddam's little ones.'

How pleased the children were when they saw their brother, and the good breakfast which he brought them! My young reader, would you know the worth of money? go feed the hungry and clothe the poor orphan.

'Have you been to school, John?' said Captain Sam.

'Father taught me to read, sir.'

'He could not have done you a better turn, my lad; but you won't be a land-lubber, hey!'

'I would like to be a real sailor, sir, like those I saw in the big ships in the bay. Henry wants to be a sailor too.'

'Ah!' said the captain, 'if you were only a little older; but we will see.'

Just then the door was opened, and Mrs Leddam returned. She was pale and sad, but her heart seemed to revive when she heard her visitor speak kindly to her. 'It is a great comfort,' she said, 'to know that there is one person in this strange place that feels for these poor children. John has been talking of you, sir, ever since we came here; he is so bent on being a sailor.'

'And a sailor he shall be,' said the captain, slapping his hands together. 'I hope you will live to see him sail his own vessel.'

When their new friends were gone, John told his mother of the message from the strange gentleman, and gave her the money he had received for catching the horse.

'You have done a better morning's work than I have,' she said.

'Did you go to many places, mother?'

'I will eat some of this good bread, my son, and then tell you.'

BE YE KIND-HEARTED.

'I went first,' said Mrs Leddam, 'to the houses where I supposed rich people lived.'

'There's handsome houses in that wide street,' interrupted John. 'I saw, through the windows, pictures hanging on the walls, and such beautiful curtains! Did you go to them?'

'I stopped at one door,' his mother replied: 'the servant was dressed as fine as a gentleman. He looked at me with contempt, and said his mistress had company. At another house, I got to see the lady. She was sitting in a velvet chair, rocking her baby, and was handsome and pleasant spoken, and asked me to sit down.'

'She gave you some work?' said John.

'Ah!' replied Mrs Leddam, sighing, 'I don't think she ever felt trouble. For a moment she seemed sorry for me; but she was so much taken up with her little girl, that she seemed to forget for a while that I was in the room, and then dismissed me hastily, telling me to call again. As I rung the bell at another fine house, the mistress came out to the door, elegantly dressed, and stepped into a carriage which was waiting. I asked her for work, and told her of my starving children. She looked cross, and said there was no end to the calls of poor people. I looked at a bright purse which she held in her hand, and thought that one of the gold pieces that shone through the silk would make me easy for a week. At last I felt faint and sick, and came home.'

'Wasn't you glad, mother,' said Henry, 'when you found us so well off?'

'Yes, my son; I felt that God had not forsaken us. And now, John, read me the chapter we had yesterday.'

'Which, mother? where Jesus fed the five thousand?'

'Yes; I love to hear that part which speaks of women and children: surely He will take care of us helpless ones.'

It has been said, and whoever feels sorrow may know it to be true, 'A dark hour makes Jesus bright.' Before I close this chapter, let me ask my young reader to remember the words at the beginning, and try to put them in practice.

You may not always have money to give to the poor, but you can be kind and thoughtful. A few kind words will often cheer the sad heart of the widow or orphan.

Would you be like Jesus, And show His gentle mind? Then in all your actions Remember to be kind.

THE SPANISH SAILOR.

Mrs Leddam's prospects began from this time to brighten, through the kindness of Captain Sam, and of the gentleman whose horse John had caught.

The captain interested a friend in John's behalf, who owned a small schooner which was called a lighter, and was used to convey the cargoes of large vessels to the city. He consented to take the little boy, and make a man of him, as he said. John was obliged to work hard in all kinds of weather; but the thought of his mother, and trust in God, reconciled him to every hardship. Captain Morgan, his master, was a kind man, and inclined to be religious. When the work of the day was over, they used to sit in the little cabin of the 'Sally,' for so the vessel was named, and, while the captain smoked his pipe, John read to him in his Bible.

Now, this little boy was doing good all this time, though he did not think that such a child as he was could be of service to any one. The captain had hired a Spanish sailor to assist him, and to take charge of the boat when he was absent. This Antonio was a strange-looking creature. His skin was very dark, and his hair hung in black locks over his face. Although he seemed stern, and could look very fierce with his large bright eyes, yet beneath his sailor jacket there beat a warm, kind heart. John soon won the good-will of the Spaniard by his obedient and pleasant manners, and as the little boy became attached to his new friend, he felt anxious to do him good.

One night, when the captain was away, Antonio brought the fishing net that he was netting into the cabin where John was alone. After they had conversed awhile, John opened the Bible, and proposed to read aloud. Antonio knew nothing of religion, except making the sign of the cross when he was sick or sad; but still he called himself a Roman Catholic, and did not want to hear the Bible read.

'Just let me read this part,' said John. 'Listen, Mr Antonio; it is about fishermen.' So, before he could speak, John began to read in Luke of the calling of Peter, and the miraculous draught of fishes. Antonio became interested, and after that he made one of the little party in the cabin, and listened with profit to the word of God.

One fine morning they were lying near a small island; the bay was smooth as a mirror, and the trees were reflected, leaf for leaf, in its bosom. Now and then a fish would rise to the surface of the water, take a breath of air, and dive down again. John amused himself in observing some wild ducks swimming in the shallow water, watching for prey with fixed eyes and grave looks, and he smiled to see their disappointment when the little fish were too cunning or too nimble for them. He was interrupted by Antonio coming out of the cabin, dressed in his best clothes.

'Why, Mr Antonio, where are you going?'

'Nowhere,' he replied. 'This is my saint's day.'

'What's that?' inquired John.

'Oh, I am named after San Antonio, and this is his day.'

'Well,' said John, 'I have looked through the New Testament, and have never found such a saint there.'

'Why,' said Antonio, 'he was not alive at that time.'

'Who made him a saint then?'

Now, as the sailor had not troubled his head about the matter, he was puzzled to find an answer. At last he honestly confessed he did not know.

'Suppose he is a saint,' said John, 'what good can he do you?'

'Oh,' he answered, 'he can pray for me, and help me when I am in danger.'

John felt serious when he heard this, and said, 'In that chapter we read last Sunday, the Lord Jesus says, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." There is nothing said about coming to St Antonio, or St Anyone; but, "Come to me." I would rather trust to the Saviour. Would not you?' and as he spoke, he looked affectionately in his friend's face.

Antonio did not reply; but he thought of what had been said, and at night he requested John to read that chapter to him again.

But time did not always pass so smoothly with our young friend. Many an hour did he spend drenched with rain and shivering with cold. Often, too, in helping to unload the vessels, he had to endure rude usage from the rough sailors and coal porters. Sometimes his heart was almost broken; but Antonio took his part, and comforted him by his kindness.

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