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THE
YOUNG SAILOR
J
OHN.
Were you at the Band of Hope Festival last night,
William'?
WILLIAM.
Yes-I was there and a gentleman from Head–
quarters spoke.
JOHN.
Did he tell you anything particular'?
WILLIAM.
Yes. He told us that one day he was sitting in a rail–
way carriage waiting for it to start, when he saw a young
sailor go along the platform to get into the same train.
JOHN.
And what about him'?
WILLIAM.
Well, the gentleman said that be observed that the
sailor was what people call "a little drunk."
ROBERT.
Ah, that was a pity, but sailors often get drunk. I wish
they would all sign the pledge.
WILLIAM.
It would have been well for this young sailor to have
done so, for the gentleman told us that they started on their
journey and were traveling at express speed, when suddenly
the train was brought to a stand still. He looked out of the
carriage window, he said, and saw one of the guards gazing
at the top of the train. He sprang out, ran up the line toward
the guard, and saw 'the young :sailor lying on top of the
carriage, and assisted the guard to lift him down and lay him
on the grass.
·
ROBERT.
What was the matter with him'?
WILLIAM.
It seems that he was tipsy, and in his excitement he
climbed out of the carriage, mounted on its top, and began to
dance a sailor's hornpipe. Whilst doing this his head came in
contact with a bridge and he was killed on the spot.
JOHN.
Poor fellow, haa be heen a Teetotaler he would have
been kept from such a dreadful death.
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