The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-05-09

Fanny did not relish his look at all. She
much preferred Dan, young salt
from her own wild coast, who was off
the estate and was to be our other sail
or. 1t was about him that Clarke first
spoke.
{" | brought over a steady man that l
have known for years, and can be depen
ded upon. A man with some religion
in him, which," he added, smiling, is
not usual among us sailogs. l could go
on excellently well with him."
&C, we have got Dau," said Fanny.
We could not do without Dan !"
"Of course it is with you, madam !;
but is right to tell you this Dan came off
to us last night when we had moored,
and l could see plainly he had been
drinking"
Fanny colored up, "you must have
been mistaken. We all know Dan from
child. He never was drunk in his
life. We can't have any one else"
Clarke bowed. Then we gave him
all sorts OF directions, and let him go.
don't like that man at all, for all
his good character" said Fanny wisely.
And then to 60 and slander poor Dan ! )
81 don't relish him extravagantly,
but character, my dear, is everything
aboard ship" said l.
Aboard ship" said she, laughing,
that sounds charming
We were to sail in two days, aud GER
tainly we almost at once found the meT
its of our skipper; for by his quiet fore
thought and measured energy he did
wonders; got in stores, the yacht fitted,
and what not.
You see, my DEAR" L said, "those
are the sterling qualities that pass show.
Dan is little too impulsivc, and not
half SO practical. A word now about
Dan.
Dan was a sort Of foster brother Of
Fanny's, that used to row her on the At
lantic, no less itup daring little skiffs,
with sails and all complete, 10 make a
bold voyage across to a distant island.
He was a han dsom e, strong, bold, dash
ing young fellow, only one and twenty,
and could swim like fish. He always
called her Miss Fanny, though correct
ed again aud again. the only mystery
was that of the drink, which puzzled us,
for we had never even heard a suspicion
of such thing. Fanny shook her
head.
"I could explain it," she said
All said I, you don't know,
dear. These sea towns, young fellows
fall into temptations"
We were to go on a coasting cruise
First to Falmouth, then to Cowes, and
finally on to Cherbourg leave the
yacht under shelter of the famou;
breakwater (" she will be very snug
there" we both said, speaking of hel
costly, as if she were baby), and We
ourselves would run up to Paris. W.
could not have too much of tn sea
Two sailors only and boy, and myself
as good as another, and Fanny very
nearly-she only wanted strength-a;
good as a fourth. Early at six o clock
on fine morning we went down by thai
pleasant little strip Of sea,coast rail way
that winds like a ribbon from Dublin tC
to Kingstown, found fresh breeze, g
tblue sea, and "The Lively Jenny >
f1ttering her sails impatiently, as if
they were the laces and lappots Of heI
cap. We took up our mOorngs in a
moment, and flew out steadily to sea.
We were in great delight with our
new house" She sailed charmingly,
lay ever on her side in the true yacht
attitude, and made the water hiss as she
shot through it. We were as compact,
as snug, aud even elegant as could be
conceived. Below were two charming
little rooms, perfect boudoirs, one little
saloon for dining. 1t was full of " lock-
ers " and pigeon holes for keeping all
sorts Of things; and it was with peculiar
delight that we discovered, as you went
down stairs a sort Of sliding panel on
each side, which unclosed and discover
ed a shelf, known to the men as the
" sail roOn,," only think but which, on
an emergency, could be turned into an
elegant and commodious sleeping apart,
ment. Dinner on the swing table was
the most charming Of meals, and full Of
slippery excitement.
Ga the morning of the second day,
when there was not much of breeze, [
noticed our skipper seated Gu the after ,
portion Of the bowsprit, reading. 1t was
'Fanny called my attention to this, Dan
was walking up and down contemptuOus-
ly. From curiosity, | went up to see
what book it was, and found it to be
"The Confessions of b. Drudge, ESQ,
with some Of mis- Letters"
Why, who Oh earth is Rudge? l
asked.
Clarke stood up respectfully.
" "Rudge, sir" said he, was a com.
mon fireman on an engine, who took to
drinking and was reclaimed. He tells
the whole story there ; and afterwards
he became not only au apostle Of tenn
perance, but minister, preaching and
winning souls to Christ"