[THE SURPRISING EXPERIENCE OF BEN BUTTLES.]
BY FRANK H. CONVERSE.
Part Second.
Ben Buttles was a real mother boy; that is, he was in his sixteenth year, yet did not think himself too old to love and obey his mother, or care for her comfort. It is always a bad sign when a boy begins to outgrow one or both of his parents.
So, immediately after his arrival in Savannah, Ben borrowed the mate's writing materials, and wrote to Mrs. Buttles, to relieve the anxiety he knew she must be feeling, despite his telegram.
Ben's educational advantages had been limited, though I am glad to say he made the most of such as he had had. Hence I trust that better-educated boys will excuse the mistakes they may see in his letter. Poor Ben had never seen such a book as The Polite Letter-Writer in his whole life. But he had read the late Captain Buttles's old log-books over and over again, and looking upon them admiringly as specimens of high literary art, he had, perhaps without knowing it, imitated their short and pithy sentences in this almost the first letter he had ever written. And I am not sure that most business men, particularly editors, would object if some of their correspondents could tell their story as clearly in as few words. This is a copy of the epistle:
"Savanar, October 29, 187-.
"My Dear Mother,—I take My pen in hand To ashure you I am safe, et ceterer. tell Jim Studley i cort a hollibut nigh the braking shole I gess would way 200. Then got under way for Home about 6 pm with Thretning wether. It come on to Blow with hevy sqwalls from n,n,w to n. a terble cross sea Runnin. carried away my Starbord ore and had to lay to a Drag. at 11 pm Colided with brig calipso laying to Making a complete reck Of the Dory. got Abord the Brig by the Main chanils Arriving at savanar Oct 28. Thay are verry Kind. Capn adams who cent the Tellygraft says there is nothing Bound north and to stay abord til We are loded for boston. he will pay me saylor wages when i Go back. The mate has gave Me a starch shirt, a hat Shoose and socks. And the sekond mate a soot of Blue close wich Is a little wore. And flanils. i was never Drest so Nice. I am Looking for a good paing job Ashore while i am hear. perhaps i can Make a Big strik and Bring home the munny to pay up the Morgige. I must Now close with love to All inquiring frends Yore duttifle sun
"Ben B."
Having mailed this remarkable document, Ben strolled through the streets, enjoying the novelty as only a boy can who has never been ten miles from home in his whole life.