The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-04-30
THE CANAL BOY.
~ ma. n. J, H~@''s


After Supper, however, she saw the cap
tainsseysral times as he passed her. and then
she never failed to remark upon his gentle
manly bearing. And we'll did the youthful
captain deserve her praise. for among the
hundreds who that day trod the deck Of his
noble vessel not one could compare with him
either in gentleness. dignity. or noble man
ly virtaes. Owing to his own exertions and
the kindness of friend he had received a
liberal education, but had chosen the life
Of boat captain in preference TO any one
Of the professions. This was his second
trip round the lakes, but in Sd short time
he had won the love Of his hands. and COM
manded the respect Of all who came on board.
Toward our party he was particularly
gracious. even though his lips did pale and
his hand shake nersously when ne read a
mong the registered names that OF Jennie
Johnston. Other movements he never once
lost sight. and wheh at last the sun went
down and the August moon came up over
the blue waters, he found himself very near
10 her as she sat alone with Robert May
nard in part of the boat retired from OBJ
seryation. His first impulse was TO turn a.
way, for by certain unmistakable signs he
knows their theme was the old one, but
the sound of name caught his ear and
riveted him TO the spot. Ii was Robert was
talking and the words he said were these:
"Tll tell you, Jennie. when my preference
for you began. Ii was twelve years ago,
that night Of the spelling school. when you
chose me instead of that Willie Warner,
even though you knew was as likely to spell
baker with a c. as 4"
Poor Willie" Jennie murmured, and
the sigh she uttered made the young cap
tain's fingers tingle even to their very tips.
"Poor Willie, never knew till he was
gone, one half how good he was to his sick
mother. nursing her SO tenderly and even
wearing those pants with patches on both
knees 80 that she might have the luxuries she
needed. II the choosing were TO be done a.
gain. believe ] should take him first"
Hush-sh" interposed Robert, putting
up his hand. I" thought ! heard foot
steps,"
"Nothing but the wind" answered Jen-
ME, and while with burning cheek and beat
ing heart the captain crept away, the mai
den listened to the tale Of love, which Robert
Maynard had brought her there to tell.
Higher and higher rose the moon, and as
her silyery beams fell upon Jennie's hands
they shone upon single costly diam ond.
the seal Of her engagement with one TO whom
her whole heart was not given. He did not
satisfy her quite, but from her childhood she
had been taught to think Of him as her fu-
ture husband, and she accepted him now as
such, striving hard to think that she was hap
py.
II would willingly die for you," he ex-
claimed, as he branched of into TRADE OF
words, which meant nothing,-and when
Jennie said to him. playfully, "Suppose this
very boat were on fire, and you had the choice
Of saving yourself or me, which would it
be-" he affected to be indignant as the alb
surdity Of the question.
Rou, Of course. should count my life
as nothing, in comparison with yours"
81 half wish could have q chance TO
try you" answered Jennie, as rising to her
feet she prepared to rejoin her companions,
who were msrvelliug At her protracted alb
sence.
Rash. thoughtless girl! How little she re-
allied what she said, or dreamed how near
was the fearful test.
Two hours went by, and throughout the
boat, lately 50 foil Of life, silence reigned-
1.~@-@ ny ~ 49, AiPPlt ~ tHt HafS " ~
dipping Of the mammoth wheel. II was mid
night and the weary travellers were in the
midst Of their krst sound sleep, when in the
hold below, there was q slight confusion /;
the murmur Of excited but suppressed yoic
e. in earnest consultation the hasteniog 10
and fro Of many feet, the rafting OF the W :
Ter buckets, while the still, white face Of the
captain appeared every where speaking calm
words Of courage and looking wistfuIIy over
the waters toward the long, dark line which
marked the distant shore.
Turn the boat that way, or we are lost, .
he said, As biiiow, not Of water, but fer-
Ger, deadlier, element lifted It's serpentine
head in close proximity to the main machi-
merry.
He was obeyed. and then, Oh, then, there
broke upon the startled ear Of the midnight
sleeper terrible. terrible cry, curdllng their
very blood. and msking their hearts stand still
with mortal fear.
"FiRE-FmE-Fmy How ike q yell Of
despair, il rolled from bost's-end 10 boats.
end eehoing tkro,,eh The 1otver dsek--eeho.