New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-14
AFTER SOME YEARS.
CHAPTER l.

fisherman's daughter; his name was John
Carlton, and hers Lucy Jennings. He was
tOlerably gOOdlOoking, three and twenty
years of age, of romantic disposition, and
had neither father nor mother. He first met
Lucy down at Bargate, where her father
piled his trade and her mother let lodg-
ings.
John came down to Bargate for three
weeks sea air and some good bathing. 1t
did not matter to him, SO long as the rooms
were clean and wholesome, whether they
had sea view or not: and as the price OF
the first floor in the little back street suited
his pocket, and Mrs. Jennings seemed
Obliging, if rough, John took the apart
ments.
Lucy waited on her mothers dodgers. and
the first time John saw her he was struck
with her beauty, good nature and gentle ap-
pearance. Afterward he saw her sitting I'M
der the cliffs reading most intently, quite
away from the crowd OF people that daily
gather on the sands. Day after day he
strOlled that way, of course quite accident
ally and she was always sitting in the same
place, and always reading. He tried to talk
with her, but she was too shy to do more
than answer him. Then he took TO lending
her books, finding she liked nothing SO
much as reading.
"She's almost too fond of it," said the old
fisherman one day, when John was talking
to him. 1--WE twice found her on that there
fayorite seat of hers-read. read. read-till
the tide comes up all around, and I've had
to fetch her off in a boat"
"She brought me back my books to-day,
saving she hadn't time to read Them said
John.
"Ah, her mothers been at her, poor
wench. She says she reads and neglects
her work" said the old man.
But it is pity for clever girl like Lucy
to be made into servant. Couldn't you
send her to school!"
"Lor bless you, sir, did send her to
learn reading and writing. She knows
more nor her class already. sir, and her
mother says it only makes her waste her
time: faint as if she was lady; hut she's
always worrying Inc to send her to school
again."
John pondered over what the old fisher
man said, but he could not help thinking
that it was a pity that Lucy was not well
taught Ii she were educated now she
would grow and equal in graceful beauty
many ladies. His cousins, for instance,
would not be able to approach her, either
for cleverness or good looks Two or three
days passed and Lucy was not to be found
at her old haunt, nor did she bring up his
tea, slatternly maid-of-all-work perform
ing that Office. John began to miss her.
and would have wondered where she was
voice scolding her. These seedlings had
powerful effect on John, and il was with
difficulty lie could prevent himself from
rushing down stairs, bouncing on Mrs. Jen-
Mugs and shaking her for daring to scold
beautiful Lucy.
He wandered up and down the sands,
thinking of Lucy, day after day. How he
wished she were older and in different
sphere of life, that he might make her his
wife A. last he determined to educate her.
1t was true his salary was not large, and
his rich uncle, whose heir he was to be-
considering it sufficient for single man.
would allow him nothing. 1t certainly was
sufficient for himself, but would it educate
Lucy' John thought if he would practice
strict economy it would. The old fisher
man saw no reason to object to Lucy be-
coming lady, and it was settled that Lucy
should 90 the best school in Bargate.
All this happened within three weeks.
and when John left the classic shores of
Bargate for his usual routine in London, it
seemed like dream, except for the remem-
brance of Lucy's fair face and the reality of
the school bills becoming due every quarter.
Lucy did not know that John intended to
marry her; she looked forward to going out
as a governess, which had always been the
height of her ambition; but she did know
that John had put her to school, and in her
gratitude and admiration making him a sort
of hero remembering and magnitying all the
kind things he had said to her and done Tor
her. She even magnifed his personal ap-
pearance. thinking him one of the nOblest,
handsOmest and cleverest of men, and look
ing forward to seeing him with great
eagerness.
While Lucy practiced her scales and
learnt her "Magnalls Questions" in the
little back parlOr at Bargate, John plodded
backward and forward, in all weathers,
from the airy Office to his dreary lodgings
in Charlwood street. PimlicO.
If John had no father nor mother, he had
a host of uncles, aunts and cousins, who
wondered and tried to find out why John
lived in cheap lodgings and worked so hard
that he never went out of town, even ID his
yearly holidays. Why did he not spend his
money on lavender kids and expensive
cigars. like other young men In has position!
WHY did he refuse invitations to dinners,
balls and the opera-he who was to be the
heir of rich old John Carlton, his godfather
and uncle! John did not notice their hints
nor satisfy their curiosity, but went
plodding on, neither thinking OF his health
nor good looks, and both were suffering
terribly from his solitary habits and over
work.
When nearly three years had passed,
John went down to Bargate again, NOT tell
ing them he was coming. The Old hsher,
man and his wife were very much pleased
TO see him, but Lucy scarcely knew MN,
he was so altered. John thought her ten
lines more beautiful, and she Thought MN
positively plain. Was this her hero-this
thin-haired man, who mao sueh