Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-07-26

that was anything but satisfactory, and that
was in the shape of Abner Sandford. Not
that Abner was bad sort of fellow: for
l half believed then, aud know now, that
he was a good, strong, generous hearted fell
low, and as brave as steel But what |
didn't like, was his visiting the house of
old Obadiah, and always being made vel.
come by Esther's mother, while l was
scowled at if l came within forty rod of the
gate"
"Ah !" said, filling another pipe; "a
slight twinge of jealousy, perceive?'
Well" replied Dave, with a comical
grin, Il guess that's what you may call it.
And, such being the case, it is not to be
wondered at that Esther and myself had
many spat about this Abner. | well re-
member the time when we had quite Sc
we're quarrel-that is, for sweethcarts-about
this selt-same Abner. 1t was on Squan
Beach; | was sitting on a boat, mending
net, when Esther came along, looking just
as splck and span as a newly painted schoon-
err; and | thought | never saw her looking
prettier in all my life. But, somehow or
other, there's a something in the mending
of nets that makes man think, and lad
been brooding over Abner, till was gloomy
and savage as meat-axe. Dear Dave,
Esther said, L am so glad to see you'll I've
been to Martha Swain's with some eggs
you know, she is SO sick so | thought
would come round this way home, and see
you. -
Which, Of course, frightened and clear
ed you immediate y?'
Il kind o think it did little but then
you see, when man is determined not to
be pleased, it is pretty hard to please him.
| answered gruffiy that Martha Swain was
nothing to NE and maybe if she wasn't
sort o relation of Abner Sanford's, she
wouldn't be thought so much o.. | knew
it was lie when l said it, and Esther col,
ored up little; but | went on, getting
more and more excited as continued, till
finally told her she thought IN ore Of Abner
than she did of me-"
''All true lovers are FOOLS | said, sen
tentiously. Having never been in love my
self, OF course / was well qualified to Judge.
Il guess you are about right there, sir.
When | said Abner was thought more of
than me, she gave me such a look, and
went off proud as any queen; not that |
have ever seen queen, but you know what
| mean.
| nodded assent.
''Of course we made it up again, and
went on loving one another. more, if posi-
Bile than ever before. Between you and me,
and here Dave lowered his voice to an i'm
pressib!e whisper, this falling out and MA
king up.again is one of the chief pleasures
of love making"
There's no accounting for tastes, re-
marked |.
well, TO make long story short, l at
last saved money enough to buy boat, and
became owner of the Sparkling Foam and
what was more, everything having been set
tied, was to be married to Esther in two
months from that time"
80 the old lady. Mrs Hettrick, had
come round ?"
NOt MUCH. one saw tnat Things
couldn't be helped, so she kind o put the
best face on the matter, more especially as
Esther generally had her own way in the
long run; but you had better believe there
was no love lost between us. And it's my
private opinion-in fact, know it to have
been so now-she led Obadiah deuce of a
life, for ever having given me kindly word
of encouragement or advice"
But that didn't trouble you much -
Il don't know about that You see,
am sort o straight up and down fellow, |
am, and when don't like anybody, L must
show it. tried hard to be civil and polite
to the old woman, but just streak o uali-
ness would show itself now and then.
Esther often spoke to me about it, and beg
ged me to be kinder to her mother, remind
ing me that il was her mother | was cross
to, and that cruel word hurt her more
than it did her mother.
And your promise was never withheld, -
remarked.
Right you are, my boy. Just about
this time l had to run up to York with q
cargo, so, bidding good bye to Esther, and
promising to return in few days, 1 sailed
and | sailed, as the song says. You know
the old saying about men undertaking to dc
thing, and God putting a stop toit: wei
it was so in my case. When got to York
and had unloaded, got chance to run W
to Newburg with another cargo. Money
being what l wanted, and this giving m.
the opportunity of making some, accept
ed it. | lost no time you can bet your bot
tom dollar on that; but by the time | haC
returned to York-with load of bricks
this time-it was quite four weeks before
again entered the Manasquan Inlet
And during this time your true love wa
wandering by the sad sea waves all alone. ;
Dave paid no attention to my remark, bu
continued
''As soon as 1 fixed my boat all snug. an,
had anchored her securely, L made my wal
as quickly as possible to Esther house, in
tending to tell her of the good fortune hat
had since had been away, and be- happ,
over it together. As walked up the road
[ saw Esther standing at the gate, and NJ,