Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-09-11
seIecl Calc.
L1zzIE's FORTUNE.

From the New York ledger.
benjamin llacket knew how to read and write
after a fashion. How he came by those accom-
plishments. no one was quite sure. IL was mys-
tery even to himself Besides this. ho knew all
about a ship-not because he had studied naviga-
ton in amy college whatever, but because, begin
ming as a cabin boy, be had slowly fought his way
up 90 the honorable post of captain" and own
er he was proud to say, ai thc Betscy Hack
et."
Bctsey was his wite's name, and his wife had
been a plump. goOd-natured sailors daughter,
who wore hoop rings in her lit,le brown ears and
was rather too fond Of scarlet ribbons and blue
bead necklaces TO be model of geutIlity. When
they were married she felt quite content with her
little front roomin riyer-ward street. and indeed,
was more than satisfied with the glories Of two
green paper mache parrots and bunch OF white
coral, TO say nothing of live parrot in a pewter
cage and tea tray, straight from China with
Chinese lady ia out-of-door costume upon it,
lent charm To- the establishment. But that was
when Benjamin llacket was " before the mast, B."
and She had leit him long ago, and Captain Hack
cts daughter had other notions.
They lived IA another quarter OF the city now,
and in their parlor were ornaments which pu, the
parrot Go the hlush-and Betsey's daughter called
herself Elizabeth, and had no notion OF being less
fashionable than her ncighbors and people said
Captain lacket immensely rich would leave
his laughter an heircss oi the hrst magnitude when
lac left tne world.
Pretty. and an heiress. She had plenty who
called themselves friends, of course. She was
belle IN the circle 10 which her wealth bad intro
duced her, aud perhaps her head was a lite turned
by the hattery she received. A good girl at heart,
.he was yet easily blinded by show and glitter,
and was very apt to judge people by their coats
and the houses in which they dwelt and, indeed,
had dropped more than one good soul, who, in The
humber days Of her lie, had not been held SO
lightly.
Moreover, She had grown to be not quite so
well pleased when following in Ler fathers wake
on his return from any voyage. she saw the hand
some sunburnt mate Of bis, Tom ladaway.
She had known Tom almost all her life And
once she had been very fond of him She knew.
too. that wherever he went, his first thought was
to find some dainty gilt for her ON his home-com-
Wonderfully carved fans. and ivory bracelets.
and curious ear rings, and mysterious worS-boNes,
aud birds OF rare punlge aud shells OF delicate
tints and beautiful shapes had Tom lIadaway be-
slowed upon her And there had been time
wlel she had believed that her fathers wish might
come 10 pass and Tom Hadaway become her hus-
baud; but with the elegant house in the iashiona-
hle square had risen other ideas.
So during one OF her fathers longest voyages,
she permitted Melton Melton, Esq, who had, by
slow degrees, become the beau ideal OF manly per-
icctiou, 20 slip an engagement ring upon her slen-
pa, Iu the most approved fashion.
Consequently. when Captain llacket arrived,
grand news awaited him--news that made him
pucker his face, and wrinkle his brows and growl
indignantly.
"Why didn't You ask me frst?' said the cap
tain. That puppy Lord love you, what do you
women see in a fellow like that? They amt men,
according to my reckonng-ony gals IN wrong
clothes Him."
' lie adores me. papa said Elizabeth, melting
into tears, and | should die ii you were cruel.
DO consent, papa
And how about Tom Hadaway p asked the
oapiaia
At this Lizzie curled her lip
" Il WAS not TOMS affairs she surmised.
"Tom loves you better than bis life, said the
captain. I've much as given him TO understand
that I'll make no objections Why If was girl
ia have Tom Hallway before any other fellow up
on earth I'd trust daughter in that mans hands
as | would ship. As t1r this fellow, the only
use YOU could make of him in the time OF storm
would be to throw him overheard 70 tighten the
ship, and by the Lord Harry, his weight wouldn't
make much difference Poor Tom Think it
over now Lizzle!
But Lizzie was firm aud she was the captains s
pet; and though the old man gave his consent re-
luctauuy, still be gave it at last And poor Tom
Hadaway heard the news with heavy heart, aud
sailed away to sea again with the captain.
This time the captains voyage was short
one
He returned quite unexpectedly one day with
something unpleasant evidently upon his mind.
Tie made no explanation to his daughter at first,
but sat with his hat in a very disconsolate
mood
lie was well enough he said, when Lizzie
asked him.
And after this satement, he groaned and said
" Poor LASS"
Perhaps thought Lizzie, " it is all about my
eupaurnput ON was such a tnVOrlte
She was so sure Of this that she felt nervous
about mentioning the fact that Melton was anxious
that she should name the day but she did at
last. and was surprised 10 receive for an answer:
The sooner the better, lass--the sooner the
better. Yes, yes. I'll talk to tue young fellow
when he comes.N
And so the young fellow" arriving almost on
the moment, the captain shook hands with him
warmly enough, and they sat down together very
amicably.
The whether was discussed, also other ordinary
topics and then young Melton, who was one OF
that order of eNquisites who cannot speak without
as many gasps as are emitted by dying dolphin,
began to hint at the grand subject under consider
alton.
" Had Miss Lizze--ah-mentione the object Of,
in fact, of this cali--ah---Y
I've heard that you are anxious to be spliced
as soon as possible, my lad" said the captain
land I've just told Lizzie that, as things stand to.
day, ! don't care how soon the affair Is settled.
I've got 10 leave home again, aud I'd rather leave
her under some ones care
Aud the captain groaned.
All your health--ie is yery-ah! uncertain
said Melton Melton, Esq with a thought OF the
reports of the captains will at heart. A sealar-
ing-ah, dmgerousN
My health is perfect said the captain, and
your Jack is as safe on sea as on land for that
matter. But you see, something has happened,
I've sprung leak in gale, and wreck has come
Of il. To tell tue truth, plain enough for ma
rine to understand it, I've been specializing with
out knowing what | WAS about, and I've lost every
penny possessed. TIN as poor to-day as Jobs
turkey, aud natrally am glad to see Lizzie set.
tied For | shan't have cent to give her, aud
am not young enough to make another fortune
Here the captain arose
"Seule the day between ye,n he said. "ll
leave ye together" and he rushed out OF the room
Lizzie sauk upon a sofa and burst into tears
Melton Melton, Esq, stood near her with pecu'