Port of Errors Read Online Free Page A

bedding, unwilling to eat until her friends were released.
    Grim approached her as she lay alone. “Why are you crying?”
    Emily sat up with tears swelling in her eyes. “You did this to them. I know you did. You told Ms. Riley, didn’t you?”
    “They deserved it,” he replied, smiling with satisfaction.
    Grim’s sister, Elizabeth, meandered innocently in. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” snapped Grim, glaring back at Emily. He slammed the door on his way out shouting, “nothing!”
    As Davy lay weeping under his covers, Joseph took the rag that he kept in his pants pocket and wiped away the tears from Davy’s eyes. It was the same cloth that Joseph had used to wipe away Davy’s tears the night his father left him, almost five years ago.
    The next morning was Sunday. Father Whittaker took a good look at the boys’ busted fingers. He bandaged them with some old rags, using small wooden sticks as splints. Their fingers never did properly heal.
    As soon as Father Whittaker left their quarters, Davy approached Grim, who had a big smirk on his face. Without saying a word Davy slugged him in the jaw with his injured fist. “Don’t you ever do that again. I’m not afraid of anyone, least of all you. And if you ever chance to hurt me or my friends again, not even Mistress Riley could stop me from walloping you good!”
    As Davy stood dominantly over Grim, Elizabeth wept for her big brother, the only family she had left. Upset and angry, she clinched her fists, biting down on her lip in silent rage. She truly detested Davy.
    Davy promptly departed the room, wandering down the hall and out of sight, doubling over in agony as he held his fist tight to his belly. Placing his mouth to his arm, he muffled his cry, yelling out in pain and tearing slightly.
    Later that night, Mistress Riley brought the boys a small piece of bread and a cup of water to share between the three of them. “It’ll do you good to confess the evils of your thievery,” she strongly advised. “You’re sure to be damned. Mark my words. Only Purgatory awaits such sinners unless they confess.”
    Charley took Mistress Riley’s hasty words to heart and went to Father Whittaker to confess for fear of Hellfire. Following a lengthy confession and meaningful discussion, Charley did feel better, but Father Whittaker could sense he may be ready for a more lasting commitment.
    “Will you accept the Good Lord into your life, me son?” asked the father.
    “If I do, can I go to heaven, Father?”
    Father Whittaker laughed, “Of course you may, me lad.”
    “There’s more to lose if I don’t, right?”
    “Ah, to be sure. ‘Tis true.”
    “Done,” said Charley, stretching out his hand to seal the deal. Father Whittaker simply placed his hand in Charley’s. When he let go, Charley found that the Father had placed a piece of jewelry with in the palm of his hand. It was a small silver cross, which hung from a frayed old string.
    “That there symbol tells me and the good Lord above that you’ll live the rest o’ yur days in a manner befitting a saved soul. Wear it at all times and let it be a reminder to you all yur days.”
    Charley’s eyes lit up. “Wow! – My very own symbol from God! Thank you! Thank you very much Father!” He then ran to tell Davy and Joseph everything that Father Whittaker had told him. Both Davy and Joseph expressed how proud of him they were. From that day forward Charley was never seen without his beloved cross.
    Father Whittaker taught many of the children how to read and study the Holy Bible. Most of the children grew in faith. Davy did believe, but eventually became skeptical. He was satisfied only with things he could see and feel. Joseph became further converted to Father’s Anglican Faith. The priest’s faith was peculiar considering his Irish Catholic heritage.
    Emily was also a girl of strong faith. It was amazing that she took to Davy the way she did, considering his lack of any faith. As time passed, Emily