Lost Lenore: The Adventures of a Rolling StoneReid, Mayne
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Lost Lenore: The Adventures of a Rolling Stone
Reid, Mayne
Adventure stories; Dime novels; Fiction
"Yes, that's all right. One of them tried to take it; but I wouldn't
let him. I'm sober enough for that. It's only my legs that be drunk.
My hands are all right."
Stormy's legs were indeed drunk, so much so, that Guinane and I had much
difficulty in getting him along. We were obliged to place him between
us, each supporting one of his sides. After considerable labour, we
succeeded in taking him to a house where I was acquainted. Here we put
him to bed; and, after leaving instructions with the landlord, not to
let him depart until one of us should return, we went home to our own
lodgings.
Next morning, at an early hour, I called to see Stormy; and found him
awake and waiting for me.
"You done me a good turn last night," said he, "and I shall not forget
it, as I have you."
"Why do you think you have forgotten me?" I asked.
"Because last night you called me Stormy Jack; and from that, I know you
must have seen me before. I've not been hailed by that name for several
years. Now, don't tell me who you are: for I want to find out for
myself."
"You could not have been very drunk last night," said I, "or you would
not remember what you were called?"
"Yes, would I," answered Stormy, "according as the land lay, or what
sort of drunk it was. Sometimes my mind gets drunk, and sometimes my
legs. It's not often they both get drunk together. Last night it was
the legs. Had you been a man six or seven years ago, when I was called
Stormy Jack, I should remember you: for I've got a good memory of things
that don't change much. But when I used to be called Stormy Jack, you
must have been a bit o' a tiny boy. Now, who can you be? What a stupid
memory I've got!" continued he, scratching his head. "There's no way of
teaching it manners, as I knows of. But what boy used to call me Stormy
Jack--that looked as you ought to have looked a few years ago? Ah! now
I have it. Bless my eyes, if you arn't the Rollin' Stone!"
Stormy then rushed forward, grasped my hand, and nearly crushed it
between his strong, sinewy fingers.
"Rowley, my boy!" said he, "I knew we should meet again. I've thought
of you, as I would of my own son, if I'd had one. I've looked the world
over, trying to find you. How come you to hail me by name last night?
You are an astonishing chap. I knew you would be; and some one has
larnt you manners. Ah! I suppose 'twas Nature as did it?"
I need not say, that Stormy and I, after this singular renewal of
companionship, were not likely to part in a hurry. We passed that day
together, talking over old times--Stormy giving me a history of some
events of his life, which had transpired since our parting in New
Orleans.
"On the morning I last saw you," said he, "I went to work on the ship,
as I intended; and did a hard day's work--for which I've never yet been
paid.
"When I was going home to you, I met an old shipmate; and, in course, we
went into a grog-shop to have something to drink.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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