Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-10-20
A Sailors Love,

A Sailors Love.
One little act Of politeness will some
times pave the way to fortune and pre-
ierment. The following sketch illus.
trates this act:
A sailor, rough garbed, was strollirg
through the streets Of New Orleans,
then in rather damp condition from
recent rain and rise OF the tide. Turn
ing the corner OF u much freQuented and
narrow alley, he observed young lady
standing nperplexity, apparently meas
uring the depth OF ,he muddy water
between her and the opposite sidewalk,
with no very satisfied cuuutenancc.
The sailor paused, for he was great
adinirer OF beauty, aud certainly the
ialr lace that peeped out from under the
little chip hat and the auburn curls
hanging glossy aud unconfined over her
muslin dress, might attempt a curious
or All adinirlns glance. Psrplexed, the
lady put forth Que little foot, when the
gallant sailor, with impulsiveness, ex-
claimed, That pretty loot, lady, should
not DC soiled with the filth of the lane:
wait Tor q moment, only, and | will
make You 4 path"
So springing past her into q carpeu-
ters shop opposite, he bargained Tor u
plank board that stood in the doorway,
anu coming back to the smiling girl,
who WAS just coquettish enough to ac-
cept tile services of the handsome young
sailor, he bridged the narrow black
stream, and she tripped across with q
.!,t merely s...s Thank x. y9y, and . 2 raSYish
they could be.
Alas. our Young sailor was perfectly
charm. d. What else would make him
catch up and shoulder the plank, and
follow the little witch through the
strcct, to her home. Sue twice perform
ed the ceremony walking the plank and
each time thanked him with one OF her
eloquent smiles. Presently our hero
saw the Young lady trip up the marble
steps OF palace ot u house, and disap-
pear within its rosewood entrance. For
iull minute he stood looking ut the
door, and then with wonderful big
sigh turned away, disposed OF his draw
bridge, and wended his path back to his
ship.
The next day he was astonished with
ali order Of promotion from the captain.
Poor Jack was speechless with amaze
ment. He had not dreamed OF being exalt-
ed to the dignity ofa second mate sotfice
on board one OF the most splendid ships
that sailed out Of the port OF New Or
leans. lie knew he was competent; for
instead of spending his money tor
amusement, visiting theatres aud bowl
ing alleys on his return from sea, he
purchased books, and had become quite
student, but he expected years to in
teryene before his ambitious hopes
would be realized.
Ills superior officers seemed 10 look
upon him with considerable leniency,
aud gave him many o fair opportunity
TO gather maritime knowledge, and in
o year the handsome gentlemanly young
mate had acquired unusual iayor in the
eyes OF the portly commander, Captain
Hume, who had first taken the smart
little black-eyed fellow, with his neat
tarpaulin aud tidy bundle, as the cabin
boy.
One night the the young man with all
the other officers, was invited to All ell
tcrtainInent at the captains house. lie
went, and tO his astVnishinent, mount
ed the identical steps, that two years
before, the brightest vision he had new
er forgotten. Thump, thump, went his
brave heart as he was ushered into the
parlor, and, like sledge hammer it
beat again when Captain hume brouyh ht
forward his blue-eyed daughter, and
with a pleasant smile said, .'Ihe youny
lady was once indebted to your kind
ness Tor safe and dry walk home.''
Ills eyes were all ablaze, and his brown
checks flushed hOtly rs the noble cap
tain sauhtered away, leaving Grace
Hume at his side. And in all that AS
sembly was not SO handsome q couple
as the gallant sailor aud the ''prettv
ladie."
1t was only year from that time
that the second mate trod the quarqer-
deck, second only in command. and
part owner with the captain, not only in
his vessel, but in, the affections OF his
daughter, gentle Grace Hume who
had always cherished respect, to say
nothing of love, tor the bright-eyed
sailor. 2. ,..s
His homely but earnest act of polite
ness to ward his child had pleased the
captain, and though the youth know it
not, was the cause Of his first promotion.
20 that now the old man las retired
from business Henry Wells il captain,
sud GssSs Hame 10 according to polite
parlance, 'tArs. Captain Wells." In
lace the honest sailor il one of the rich
est men III the Crescent CITY, and he
owes perhaps the greater part Of his
prosperity % histscs and politeness in
crossing = street. -l &gsg asT