"Jonathan"
by
Jaime Anthony
by
Jaime Anthony
A long time ago, there was an old man that lived by the sea. Everyday, the old man would take a long walk from his home to the lighthouse at the other end of the island.
This old man's name was Walter. Walter was lively person, but his life was so lonely. He had the only house on the west end of the island, and all of his relatives had died or lived far away. His only good friend was Rabbit, his scruffy Golden Retriever.
Rabbit and Walter walked to the lighthouse every day. The gloomy building was always open, so the pair could walk to the very top level. There, tens of boxes laid on the floor. In them, old sailor's logs, maps, and pictures were hidden away.
One night, walter and Rabbit were making their way back down the winding stairs when they heard a voice. It was crying for help, and was coming from outside. Rabbit scurried down the stairs, with Walter right behind him.
An old man stood at the door, his whiskers and beard in knots, and his little hair tucked under a sailor's hat.
"Please let me stay the night. My boat ran into a rock, and the rain is coming down so hard." He pleaded.
Sure enough, a heavy downpour had begun, and lightning rattled through the sky.
"Well, it's not really my place, but it looks like my dog and I will be staying here as well. When did the rain start?"
Walter responded. The old sailor stepped in and took off his jacket and shoes.
"Thank you! The rain started about two hours ago. My name is Jonathan Ulyesses Hanson. I am the captain of the S.S. Johanna.""Make yourself at home." Walter watched in amazement as Jonathan uncovered his medallion-covered shirt.
He led the man up to the attic, where they stayed and talked. Jonathan told of his travels, but Walter sensed something strange. Meanwhile, Rabbit was whining at Jonathan in a lowe, quiet tone.
" Can you believe the battles that are going on for the War?" He asked.Walter was thoroughly confused. "What war?"
Now wars were going on. "The one in Germany , you know, the WAR."
"You must mean World War II. That was ages ago!"
"Nonsense. It is still going on!"
"What year do YOU think it is?" Walter asked.
" It's 1947."
"Mr. Hanson. It is 1996. Are you not aware of this?"
Suddenly, a lightbulb clicked in Walter's head. He knew he had heard of Jonathan Ulyesses Hanson! Rummaging through the boxes, he found the booklet. A picture of a young man labeled Jonathan Ulyesses Hanson was in the yellowed newspaper article. It read " Our county of Hampton is deeply saddened by the death of Captain Jonathan Hanson. He passed away May 16, 1954." The picture definitley matched up with Jonathan's face.
"Jonathan," Walter hesitantly said,"You are dead.""Nonsense, silly man. I am very much alive!"
Walter and Jonathan talked all night. Finaly, Jonathan accepted that he was dead, early in the morning. When Walter woke up at dawn, Jonathan was gone. Outside there was a note. It read:
Walter, thank you for helping realized who I am. I have gone back to my home- the sea.
Jonathan U. Hanson
Feeling strange, walter and Rabit walked back to the old house and there they stayed, until the next walk to the lighthouse.
