Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-03-25

a tendency Of wandering IN lis speccl, also. II
you doubt me, asked NJ. du Chaillu, who has
killed so many OF our cousins, the gorilns.
Ned was out in his boat, ] have said float
ing over that summer sea, a gcnllo breeze drv-
ing him up norihward, his mccrschaum in
his mouth, bis hand playing with the rope,
his mind thoroughly at case for be had no
bill to pay.
And so he aoa;cd along over those Western
waters, happy, careless, full of pleasant
thoughts, but troubled with no thoughts Of
pain. Youth and health were his Would
you not wish that youth and health were
yours and mine?
The sun was going down westward, aud
drapory of crimson and gold seemed to gather
round its couch. Ned rs be smoked his pipe,
was murmuring Tom Moorcs exquisite lines
''How dear to me the hour when daylight dice,
And suubeams melt along the silent sea
For the sweet dreams of other days arise.
And memory wakes her vesper sigh for me-
When he suddenly started up with violent
gestcr that sent the lug-sa swinging round,
and nearly swampod the boat
"What the devils that3"
So cried Neil. And so possibly would you
or have cried under like circumstances.
have told you it was sunset; aud the shai-
ows of light were gathering found the waters.
Would you not have been as astoniShcd as
Ned OMallcy was, if you had seen jolly
boat excuse my naval phrascologyl floating
towards you and lovely woman standing
erect in it, her hands clasped as ifin dos.
pair, and that southoasterly wind blowing her
garments westward as if they were the sails Of
the boat ? guess you would.
"Am drcaming?' said Ned; "Or is this
the territory of that famous IIy BRASIL they
talk so much of in the fairy tales"
But then a loud cry reached his ears
"Oh help me-hclp mel"
"Tis woman by Ileavcn| exclaimed
Ned; a and she wants my help. I'm clearly
the right man in the right place"
lie touched his helm aud ran alongside IN
another minute he had grapplcd the boat aud
made all secure.
And now msam?"
She sank amid-ships as II she hal been bic
by a falling spar, and lay in deod-dead
swoon.
Ned was in a fix, promise you. There
right before him lay The loyccst girl he had
ever set bis good bright eyes upon. The mecr-
schaum was nowhere now-that is TO say 10
fell from between his tooth and lay at the bot
tom Of his yawl-do you call that class Of
boats yawls in America?-I don't know
What should he do2 Eed was a man of 20
souroes, ana ne did the right thing In the
right time. He lifted tho inscusblc girl clear
out Of the jolly-boat into his own--loosod the
grapple--and let the wrctched punt 90 adrift
a lovely girl in ones arms in a swoon--tho
eyes closed and the smooth check palc-makes
follows nerves tingIo. Ned OMallcy never
felt so queer before but he liked it. The girl
came to little sea water on her face revived
her, and then came her story.
Her father was merchant Of Boston, and
her lover was skipper Of Nantucket. It is
pretty clear that he did not carry on his WOO
ing rs we were accustomed to DO it IN our boy
ish days on the other side the Atlantic Ocean.
There We love the girls Of our choice, and they
tho darlings-loye us; and the whole case
is settled Tho priest has festival day; our
friends get jolly and happy AMI by-and-byc,
jolly, rosy-iaced little boys and girls begin to
creep round our knees. And so J. George
O'Ialloran, say, tic old island forever, aud
the sky above it,
But why that skipper Of Nantucket should
have conducted his wooing in 50 strange q
way cannot tell.
lie invited the young lady to visit bis ship.
She went-this was her s.ory-and ho gave
very nice luncheon indeed. But whilst tho
sweet girl was consuming the dainty yiands tho
schooner was floating ont at sea. Sbo had got
thirty good knots away before uermonio what
funny names You Americans give your chill
Grcnl discovered her danger.
Then the scoundrel revealed himself
"I love you," he said, 81 passionaicy love
you. Your father would have consented to our
union but you have treated me with ooldncss
and disdain. Pardon nc If have rushed 70
the last resort to make you mine. Your char
acter is compromised now; you have no re-
source except to become my wife"
90 Coward - eha ovcIaioood
"No coward" be said, "whcro am face
10 face with my eDemy-man to man; but a
coward you like, where you are concerned;
and would resort to any cowardice to make
you mine"
a DO not love you she said and Why DO
you wish to marry woman who can have no
feeling Of love for your
"Bahl" he answered "yoa must love nc.
Love breeds love. Could mortal man have
more earnest affection for woman than have
for your You will love me by-and-by."
"Ncycrl"
81 laugh at that dccison."
Never
"Tush r. he exclaimed. "a woGlan's never
is to-day her ecer comes tomorrow; and to
it she is true for eyermoro You viii love me
forever when am your husband, faithful and
.y,,e