Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-10-30

I was on the old Happy Day;
topsail schooner plying in the lumber
trade between Buffalo and Saginaw.
was mate Of her, and had stuck by hel
SO many seasons that the idea of evel
parting company gave me twinge
under my vest.
Captain Valentine was gruff old
dog, who had received his initiation or
a whaler t sailed with him five
seasons, or until he found a grave, in
Lake Erie, and up to within few days
of his death never knew that he had
a daughter, wife, son, or kin Of any
kind in the country. In the fall, when
we went into winter quaters as well as
the vessel, the captain always made for
Detroit, but ] did not know why, He
never chose to volunteer any informa-
ton in regard to his domestic matters,
and was not the one to pump him
was therefore greatly surprised one
evening, as the Happy Day was lying
at milldock in East Saginaw, and ]
sitting on the rail smoking my pipe, to
hear sweet voice ask: SIS my father
on boards"
peered into the gloom, and I saw
lady on the wharf, having a. travelling
bag, shawl, basket, etc, to show that
she had been travelling.
"And who is your fatherg'' I asked,
jumping off my Sc at and going toward
to within a few feet of her.
"Why, excuse me, but is this not
the Happy Day, Captain Valentine?'
at is madam" | replied, ''but you
are not Captain Valentines daughter?'
Certainly l am" she replied, laugh
ing merrily at the thought that my old
captain hadn't as good right as anybody
to have handsome daughter l.. a
/ assisted her over the rail, escorted
her to the companion-way, and then
stood back while she went down to
surprise the old man, who was posting
his books. hear I'd a glad shout, bis
gruff voice asking questions, and in a
few minutes be stuck his head out and
shouted: "Here! you, matey-come
down here minute!" .s
/ went down, a good deal ashamed
of my long hair, bushy whiskers and
sailor clothes, and the old man gave me
an introduction. He was greatly pleas
ed at her advent, as I could easily see;
and while he continued his posting,
Jennie and | sat at one side of the
table and talked. Come to see her face
under the cabin lamp, saw that sine
was really hands ONE. She had very
large hazel eyes, which looked sc
honest and innocent that one could not
have helped but love the lass at first
sight. She did not speak very plainly
Of the errand that had brought hel
aboard, but as near as could find out
she was going with us to Buffalo, and
from thence to some point in New
York State to visit her friends
"Ahl matey, ifye only had such s
wife as Jennie would make ye, what 8
happy dog ye'd bel" growled the ole
man, humping the table and indulgine
in about the only smile had ever seer
him wear. 1s,. mtt T.. .,..e.a. ..ea
Jennie and were confused, and The
old man seemed to enjoy the joke i'm
mensely.
"She amt no greenhorn, matey," bt
continued, glancing admiringly at tn.
fair girl. "She sailed with me fou1
years afore ye know me, an there aim
q man in the TO castle that can hold thu
old Happy Day closer to the wind, O
send her over al head sea, better nor Thu
very little grill" a. xg. ai
] Well, we talk ID for an hour, ant
then | gave up my berth to the fai
Jennie and went toward to bunk will
l y = sty
the men. It was in September, ant
the weather was jus. turning chilly.
had never given a thought to heat
winds, black squalls and bowling gale
before; but somehow as I turned ii
that night, I worried for feag that GU
voyage down would be an, ugly one. I
+ Well, we were ready to swing on