Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1865-07-06

was On tne sie,n; always called EN-
rags.
Well, Jenny and I were fond of each
other, and I knew it already; so, the old
folks being agreeable, we saw good
deal OF each other Sundays and eve
nings, to say nothing of the errands she
made to the store. And [ used to wish
[ could make up my mind to it and stay
ashore; but couldn't, not II I'd died
for 1t. l heard the waves beating about
my head in dreams. [ hated the cloth
yard and the scissors so they made Inc
sick.
One night I told Jenny so. She cried
a bit; but by-and-by she owned that she
didn't hate me for it, and we talked of
the time when ! should be a captain,
and she should make every voyage with
me, and have cabin like parlor for
herself.
Then she let me kiss her. P'raps she
kissed me back; and I cut off the yellow
curl told you of with a pair of scissors
the only pleasant job l ever did with
the confounded things in all my life.
That night I ran away, and though I
blubbered like baby when [ passed my
mothers door, you could Mt have coax
to be he will be; and there are men
meant from their cradles for the water
as sartin as the fish are
I got letter from old NANNY that
cut me up, l don't deny; but I knew
she'd come around, and did MT guess
the worst-how should 1? When it first
came to me that man that sold rags
was better than a sailor it took my
breath away. That was when 1 first
went home, dye see ? Nanny, she
scolded and cried, and kissed me; but
Martha and Melinda, and brother Charles
Augustus pitched into me ferocious.-
Says they: '.Fou've disgraced your
family-we've been respectable, ginteel
folks all our lives, and now we're to
have common sailor for a brother" [
caught it-reg'lar gale; and father put
in his oar regarding disobedience.-
When that came cleared out and march
ed over to old Blush Nobody Mas at
-hame but Jenny, and she ran into my
arms. Well, we were billing and cooling,
as sweethearts mostly do, l reckon, when
old Blush came home to tea. [ meyer
heard gale O. wind roar louder than he
did when he saw me.
s'What do you want here, SIR" says
he.
Says I. '.Qon't you recollect me,
Mr.. Blush? I'm Jack Ballast.
Says he, 81 recollect you we'll enough,
and how dare you show your face here?'
Saws I, 81 came to see my Jenny"
sYour Jenny?" says he. my good
fellow, Miss Jenny Blush is no match
for common sailor before the mast;
and whatever there may have been be-
tween you when you We're entitled te
my respect, is all over now. You have
your choice of walking quietly out your.
self or of being kicked out. ]"
Any one but Jenny's father would
have been foored for that. [ just look
ed down and saw my fists shut up Of
themselves, and tried to keep EN- so.
SAYS l, cool as could, II don't near
to be before the mast all my life, sir.
expect to be captain some day"
and says old Blush, GA man with nc
advantages, brought up to the sea
might boast O that; but you NIGH
have been a partner in or irm, slr.-
You might have been a gentleman, ant
had q good business in the dry good!
line as any man alive. And you hav.
chosen to be a rowing rascal. And IL
see my daughter in her grave before X
give her to you. Sam, show this per
son out.
That was the niger just come aboart
the parlor with the coal hod. And wnel
he said that, my fists were beyond m,
control, and the last I saw Of oil