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

II tell you, Dave Pearson, you shall Eev-
er call me 1ife ~
And as these words were uttered, Dave
Pearson gave vent to little chuckle, took
huge quid from capacious box, and
gazed thoughtfully from his cottage window
upon the craft that was floating past upon
the Metetecunk river
l, the writer of this sketch, was spending
a few weeks in New jersey, Wild shoot
ing along the shores of Squan, Barnegat,
and in and about Little Egg Harbor Bay.
Dave Pearson had been my mentor and
boatman. On our return one evening from
q long and unusually successful day s sport,
which had put Dave in an unconsciouSly
good humor, he related to me the following
story of his courtship; how he came to do
so was in this wise;
We had had our supper. and, with Jest a
drop of so thing to keep out the cold, we
sat down to spend the evening, [ with my
pipe, anu Dave with his inevitable tobacco
box, as he never, under any circumstances,
used the ''divine weed, as somebody calls
it, in any other shape than chew. Just
as his wife was leaving the room with the
remains of our meal, and TO wash the dish
es in the kitchen, I-being an honored
guest, was assigned the parlor-casualiy
remarked, That's a hard working wife of
yours, Dave. "
"Yes," said Dave, gravely stroking his
L E,xl l., IA
countenance; ''aud jest as good as she is
hard-working. Do you know l came near
not marrying her once p
You don't tell me How was that,
Dave?''
well, as you re pretty good sort of a
fellow, and as the old woman won't get
through fixing up for some time, | don't
mind telling you; but be careful never to
mention word to her, as she kind o dis
likes to hear about it. u
l readily gave the promise, and Dave
again having resort to his box, placed both
arms upon the table, and commenced.
When | was a young fellow it was
along among the '40's, them did what
most young fellows dol fell in love. And,
of course, like all young fellows in the same
condition, at one time | was as happy as
they say clam is at high water, and at an
other, as miserable as a sick rooster on a
wet day.
- But that's neither here nor there; the
gal l was in love with was named Esther
Hettrick. That's her, and Dave jerkeG his
head in the direction of the kitchen.
| nodded understandingly.
well, you see, l was mighty poor in
those days, that is, [ was nothing but a
hired hand but if l was mighty poor, |
was working mighty hard, aud saving every
penny could earn, so as to be able to buy
boat of my own, and furnish little cabin
on shore, in order to make myself master Of
the one, and make Esther mistress of the
other.
"And you succeeded, | have no doubt,
l said
Hold on, boss-not so fast If I'm tell
ing this story, L have to tell it in my OWE
way"
l mumbled something about sorrow, an6
Dave continued:
''Oli Obadiah Hettrick-he was Esther,
father-was pretty cute chap, for fish
erman; had boat OF his own, a snug farm,
besides comfortable SUN in the bank.
Lor' bless you! | never dreamed of owpin'
as much as old Obey did but | tell YOU,
sir, time makes great many changes. -
Dave, as he said this glanced complacent
ly round the room.
Now, Obadiah was not bad sort of ;
fellow; one of the easy going sort OF folks
you know; but his wife, Abigail she was :
stingerr'
Ruled the roost, eh -
Dave gave me wink that expressed vol
umes, and resumed
She was down on me, she was; could
never abide me near the house, and | dc
verify believe she thought me one of the
wickedest chaps in all Ocean county. But
didn't mind that much, for Esther had
told me, over and over again, that she loved
me, and the old man, Obadiah, had said
Veil, Dave, when you've got a boat o.