The Young Ship Builders of Elm Island 1

The Young Ship Builders of Elm Island 1

The Young Ship Builders of Elm Island

Elm Island Stories

 

Author: Elijah Kellogg

PREFACE.

 

 

THE natural progress of this series has brought us to a period in the

history of our young friends, when, instead of labors in a measure

voluntary, pursued at home, amid home comforts, they toil for exacting

masters or the public, enter into competition with others, feel the

pressure of responsibility, learn submission, and are tied down to

rigid rules and severe tasks. The manner in which they meet and sustain

these new and trying relations shows the stuff they are made of; that

the fear of God in a young heart is a shield in the hour of temptation,

the foundation of true courage, and the strongest incentive to manly

effort; that he who does the best for his employer does the best for

himself; that the boy in whose character are the germs of sterling

worth, and a true manhood, will scorn to lead a useless life, eat

the bread he has not earned, and live upon the bounty of parents and

friends.

 

 

 

 

_ELM ISLAND STORIES._

 

 

1. LION BEN OF ELM ISLAND.

 

2. CHARLIE BELL, THE WAIF OF ELM ISLAND.

 

3. THE ARK OF ELM ISLAND.

 

4. THE BOY FARMERS OF ELM ISLAND.

 

5. THE YOUNG SHIP-BUILDERS OF ELM ISLAND.

 

6. THE HARD-SCRABBLE OF ELM ISLAND.

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS.

 

 

CHAPTER PAGE

 

I. LEARNING A TRADE 9

 

II. GUNNING ON THE OUTER REEFS 21

 

III. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS 37

 

IV. THE WEST WIND 53

 

V. HAPS AND MISHAPS 71

 

VI. PARSON GOODHUE AND THE WILD GANDER 89

 

VII. CHARLIE GETS NEW IDEAS WHILE IN BOSTON 107

 

VIII. NO GIVE UP TO CHARLIE 120

 

IX. CHARLIE LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE 133

 

X. WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY 146

 

XI. POMP’S POND 152

 

XII. CHARLIE UNCONSCIOUSLY PREFIGURES THE

FUTURE 166

 

XIII. BETTER LET SLEEPING DOGS ALONE 186

 

XIV. VICTORY AT LAST 196

 

XV. THE SURPRISER SURPRISED 207

 

XVI. WHY CHARLIE DIDN’T WANT TO SELL THE WINGS OF THE MORNING 222

 

XVII. CHARLIE EXPLORING THE COAST 236

 

XVIII. CHARLIE BECOMES A FREEHOLDER 256

 

XIX. CHARLIE IN THE SHIP-YARD 272

 

XX. THE FIRST TROUBLE AND THE FIRST PRAYER 289

 

 

 

 

THE YOUNG SHIP-BUILDERS OF ELM ISLAND.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER I.

 

LEARNING A TRADE.

 

 

THE question, What shall I do in life? is, to an industrious, ambitious

boy, desirous to make the most of himself, quite a trying one.

 

Thoughts of that nature were busy at the heart of John Rhines; he now

had leisure to indulge them, as, upon his return from Elm Island, he

found that the harvesting was all secured, and the winter school not

yet commenced. The whole summer had been one continued scene of hard

work and pleasurable excitement. Missing his companions, being somewhat

lonesome and at a loss what to do with himself, he would take his gun,

wander off in the woods, and sitting down on a log, turn the matter

over in his mind. At one time he thought of going into the forest and

cutting out a farm, as Ben had done; he had often talked the matter

over with Charlie, who cherished similar ideas. Sometimes he thought

of learning a trade, but could not settle upon one that suited him,

for which, he conceived, he had a capacity. Again, he thought of being

a sailor; but he knew that both father and mother would be utterly

opposed to it. While thus debating with himself, that Providence, which

we believe has much to do with human occupations, determined the whole

matter in the easiest and most natural manner imaginable. John Rhines,

though a noble boy to work, had never manifested any mechanical ability

or inclination whatever. If he wanted anything made, he would go over

to Uncle Isaac and do some farming work for him, while he made it for

him.

 

It so happened, while he was thus at leisure, that his father sent him

down to the shop of Peter Brock with a crowbar, to have it forged over.

(The readers of the previous volume well know that Ben, when at home,

had tools made on purpose for him, which nobody else could handle.)

This was Ben’s bar. Captain Rhines had determined to make two of

it, and sent it to the shop with orders to cut it in two parts, draw

them down, and steel-point them. John, having flung down the bar and

delivered the message, was going home again, when Peter said,--

 

“Won’t you strike for me to draw this down? It’s a big piece of iron.

My apprentice, Sam Rounds, has gone home sick; besides, when I weld the

steel on, I must have somebody to take it out of the fire and hold it

for me, while I weld it.”

 

“I had rather do it than not, Peter. I want something to do, for I feel

kind of lonesome.”

 

Stripping off his jacket, he caught up the big sledge, and soon

rendered his friend efficient aid.

 

“There’s not another boy in town could swing that sledge,” said Peter.

“Do you ever expect to be as stout as Ben?”

 

“I don’t know; I should like to be.”

 

“Are you done on the island?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“They say you three boys did a great summer’s work.”

 

“We did the best we could.”

 

“I know that most of the people thought it wasn’t a very good

calculation in your brother Ben to go off and leave three boys to

plan for themselves, and that there wouldn’t be much done--at any rate

that’s the way I heard them talk while they were having their horses

shod.”

 

“That was just what made us work. If a man hires me, and then goes

hiding behind the fences, and smelling round, to see whether I am at

work or not, I don’t think much of him; but if he trusts me, puts

confidence in me, won’t I work for that man! Yes, harder than I would

for myself. But what did they say when they came home from husking?”

 

“O, the boot was on the other leg then; there never was such crops of

corn and potatoes raised in this town before on the same ground. Has

your father got his harvest in?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Well, I’ve got a lot of axes to make for the logging swamp; my

apprentice has got a fever; I must have some one to strike; I tried for

Joe Griffin, but he’s going into the woods, and Henry too; why can’t

you help me?”

 

“I don’t know how.”

 

“All I want of you is to blow and strike; you will soon learn to strike

fair; you are certainly strong enough.”

 

“Reckon I am. I can lift your load, and you on top of it.”

 

“Well, then, why can’t you help me? I’m sure I don’t know what I shall

do.”

 

“If father is willing, I’ll help you till school begins.”

 

The result was, that John, in a short time, evinced, not only a great

fondness, but also a remarkable capacity for the work, made flounder

and eel-spears, clam-forks, and mended all his father’s broken

hay-forks and other tools. John worked with Peter till school began. The day before going to school, he went to see Charlie, as passing to and from the island in winter was so difficult they seldom met.