Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-19

or fishing line without hook or any
other matter that is in no ways COM
pletc. Is il not so? % said Dick Fitz-
gerald, casting his eyes towards a
rock upon the strand, which, though
it could not speak, stood up as firm,
and looked as bold, as ever Kerry
witness did. But what was his aston
ishment, at beholding, just a, the foot
Of that rock, beautiful young crea-
turc combng her hair, which was OF
a sea-graen color; and now the salt
water shining on it, appeared, in the
morning light, like melted butter upon
cabbage. Dick guessed at sncc that
that she was Merrow, although no
had never seen one before, for he
spied the coAuleea driuih, or little en-
c'lantcd cap, which the sea people
used for diving down into the ocean,
lying upon the strand, near her; and
| ho had heard, that if once he could
possess himself Of the cap, she would
Dsc the power ofgoing away into the
water; so he seized it with speed, ard
she, hearing the noise, turned her
head about, as natural as any christian.
! When the Merrow saw that her little
diving-cap was gone, the salt tears
| doubly salt from hcr-came trickling
down her checks, and she began a low
mournful cry with just the tender
! voice OF newborn infant. Dick, al.
fhoush he knew well enough what she
was crying for, determined to keep
the coa,1sen driu.h, let her cry never
so much, to see what would come of
it. Yet he coull not help plying Of
her; ard when the dumb thing look
cd up in his face, and hcr checks all
moist with tears, twas enoughto make
any one feel, let alone Dick, who had
ever and always. like most Of his
coun'rymcn, "A most tender heart Of
his own. 6 DON'T cry, my darling,'
said Dick Fitzgerald but the Mer-
row, like any bold child, only cried
the more for that. Dick sat himself
down by her side, and took hold of
her hand, by way Of comforting her.
Twas in no particular an ugly hand,
only there vas small web between
the fingers, as there is in ducks foot !,
but twas as thin and as white as the
skin between egg and shell. "What's
your name, my darling ?" says Dick,
thinking to make her convcrsant with
him; but he got no answer; and he
was certain sure now, either that she
could not speak, or did not understand
him; he therefore squeezed her hand
in his, as the only way he had Of talk
ing to her. It's the universal language;
and there's not woman in the world,
be she fish or lady, that does not un-
dcrstand it. The Merrow did not
seem much displeased at this mode Of
conversation; and making an end Of
her whining all at once" Man," says
she, looking up in Dick Fitzgcrald's
face, Man, will you eat me ?" "By
all the red petticoats and checked
aprons between Dinglc and Tralcc,"
cried Dick, jumping up in amazement,
"Fd as soon eat myself, my jewel =
Is it ! eat you, my pet Now, twas
some ugly Unlocking thief of fish
put that notion into your own pretty
head, with the nice green hair down
rpon it, that is so clcanly combed out
this morninsr' Man. said the
sIcrrow, "what will you do with me,
if you won't cat me ~ Dicks
thoughts were running On n wife ; he
saw, ut the first glimpse, that she was
handsome; but since she spoke TOO
like any real woman, he was fairly in
love with her. Twas the neat way
she called him man. that settled the
matter entirely. "Fish," says Dick,
trying to speak to her after her own
, short fashion; "Gsh," says he,
"herc's my word, fresh and fasting,
for yoa this blessed morning, that III
make you mistress Fitzgerald before
all the world and that's what I'll
do" "Ncver say the word twice."
says she /" Pm ready and willing TO
be yours, Mister Fitzgerald; but stop,
if you please, till twist up my hair"
II was some time before she had set
tied it entirely to her liking for she
guessed, | suppose, that she wasgoing
among strangers, where she would be
looked at. When that was done, the
Merow pnt her comb into her pock-
ct, and then bent down her head and
whispered some words TO the water
that was close 10 the foot Of the rock.