The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-10-18
SWEPT OVERHEARD.
BY A DETROIT REPORTER.

| was Oh the Old Happy DhY. "A
topsail schooner plying in the lumber
trade between Bntialo and Saginaw.
| WAS mate Of her. and had stuck by
her 50 many seasons chat the idea Of
ever parting company gave me a
twinge under my vest.
Captain Valentine wa; 4 grnf Old
dog. who had receivedl,i1 in.tiatinn
on i whaler. sailed with him five
sea sons, or until he touhd 4 grave in
Lake Erie. and np to within few
days of his death | never knew that he
had il daughter. wife, son, or kin OF
any kind IN the country. IN the fall.
when we went into winter quarters as
well rs the vessel, the captain always
made for letloit. but d5l not know
why. He never chose 20 volunteer
any information in rrga,d to his do
nestle matters, and was rot the one
to pump him.
was therefore greatly surprised one
evening. "a tie Happy lEy was lying
at Il mil!-dock in East Saginaw, AID |
sitting on the rail smoking M pipe,
to hear a sweet vclcc ask: rs my
father on board"
pcered into the gloom, and saw
a lady on the wharf. having travel
iag bag, shawl. basket. etr., to show
that She had been travelling.
"tNd who is your iatlltr." IaSkcd.
jumping otfmy seat and g)ing forward
to within Il few feet OF her,
why. excuse me, but i this not
the Happy Day. Captain Yaleutine:"
1T is madam, replied, "hut you
arenot Captain Nalentine' slaughter"
Certainly Lam, she repIied.laugh-
itg mernly at tie thought that my
old captain hadn't as good right rs
anybody to have i handsome daughter.
| assisted her over the raiI, escorted
her to the cnmpaIion-Way, and then
stood back Willie She Went down to
surprise the old ur,n, who was posting
his books. heard glad shout, his
gr1ltf voi.e asking questions. and in a
few minutes he stuck his head ont and
shouted: Here. You, matey-cOme
down here minute!
Went down, good deal ashamed
Of my long hair, busy whiskers and
sailors clothes, and the old man gave
me an introduction. He was greatly
pleased at heradvent. as | could easily
see; and while he continued his post
ing, Jennie and set ut one side OF the
table and talked. Come to see her
face under the cabin lamp. saw that
she was really handsome. She had
very large hazel eyes, which lookedSt
honest and innocent that one could
not have helped but love the lass at
first. She did not speak very plainly
of the erranl that mad brought her
aboard. but as nparaS could find ont.
she was going with Us to Buffalo, and
from thence TO some point in New
York State to visit her friends.
"Ah. natey. if We only lad such
Il witeas Jennie would make yr. what
4 happy dog ye'd be-" growled the
old man. tlmmp ng the table and III
dulging in about the only smile | had
ever seen him wear.
Jennie and | were confused. and the
o,d man seemed to enjoy the joke I'M
mcnsely.
"She aint 10 glrenhorn, matey," he
continued, g'ancing atlmiringly at the
fair girl. "She sailed with me four
Years atore We knew me. an there aint
Il man in the 70 castle that cnl hold
the old Happy Day closer to the wind,
or send her ov.ra head sea. better nor
this very little girl! !"
Wei, we taxed for m hour. and
then gave up my berth to the fair
Jennie and Went forward to bank
with the men. 1t was in September.
and the weather was Just turning
chilly. had never given a thought
to head winds, black squalls aud howl
ing gales before; hut somehow. as |
turned III that night. | worried for fear
that our voyage down would be an
ugly one.
"Well, we We're ready TO swing ont
and take tug next day at noon. and
we dropped down to the bar at the
mouth of the river and took on the
balance Of our cargo. We had all dry
lumber this time, and it was all piled
mp five or six feet high on deck. We
had hardly finished loading when II
gale Sprng up, and how it did blow !!
We sent our biz anchor down, but the
Happy Day strained and pounded so
heavily that We ut length slipped the
cable and got her back into the river !;
and we did not show a spar out for
nearly thirty hours. Having a pre-
sentiment, perhaps of what was in
store for the schooner and her crew,
Captain Valentine endeavOred to per-
SlMde his daughter to 60 to BAY City
and back TO Detroit, where she could
come aboard as the vessel passed down.
She only laughed at him.
'Why, father. that all came for"
she replied, shaking her saucy head ut
him. Il want to see the big white
caps jump again, aud to feel the