The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-10-10
MI celia ne GUS.
From APpleton's Journal.
JOE GORTON'S PASSENG Err.

The day was drawing toward its close :;
chill and raw. Lake Village, was almost al
ways gusty, but just now the wind was hay
ing its own way more than usual, and any
passer through the long, bleak street, hap
pening to glance in at the window of the
little watersde tavern, might we'll have
beentempted by the bright fire and good
company inside the bar.
They were the usual afternoon loafers,
with the exception of one small, wiry-look-
ing man, stranger, who had stopped to
take a glass of something hot, and who, at
the moment, was evidently the centre ofth
general interest.
"But what is it you know, anyhow, stran-
ger2" asked one OF the group Come,
now, among friends
"Never you mind" answered the man
addressed, 81 know enough to shut up John
Sawyer pretty spell, if not to make him
swing, and know how to tell it when the
right time comes, don't you be afraid for
that. The days getting on" he added, alb
ruptly, rising and turning toward the Win
dow, "and your duck-pond there don't
look over-agreeable just now. "Who's a
good boatman hereabouts for if Pm split,
| cant SWIM"
"Joe Gorton's your man," was the an
swer; che couldn't tip over if he tried
couldn't joe"
"Why don't you wait till tomorrow
stranger, if you're afeared o. the weather
and them clouds over there do look kinder
pesky," said the landlord of the Lakeside
House, turning practical eye on the gray
mingling outlines of the lake and sky.
"Well, fact u.s." said the other, "I'm &C
quanted over in Milham, and, if it's all
the same to you''-with wink-"Id rath-
er be there than here so, if you'll hunt up
this Joe notwithstanding, I'll be obliged
The landlord, resenting the wink and
the implied insinuation, opened the door
and called out, rather sulkily, to some one
in the next room: "Margy, run down to
the water and tell Joe there's passenger
here"
In another minute the house door closed
and tall, slight girls figure; with a shawl
over its head, might have been seen hurry.
ing down to the water-side.
Joe Gorton, busy about his boat, heard his
name called, and, looking up, saw the girl
Marcy. The sharp wind had blown out
stray locks of her crisp, black hair from
under the red shawl, but the hectic in the
cheeks, and the feversh brightness in the
dilated eyes, were not at all the winds
work. She came close to the young boat
man who raised himself up, facing her.
"Joe," she said, "There's passenger
waiting up to the house )" she laid hel
hand on his arm, and glanced cautiously
around before adding in II whisper: "Joe
if once that man reaches the other side, it,,
all up with father"
"What's that, Marcy ?" said the boat
man, looking wonderingly at her.
81 tell you heard it; he'll bring it home
to him, he says SO, he's come purpose
It's fathers chance clean gone if you taxi
him across"
"Do you mean I should refuse to TAKE
him Marcy ?" said Joe, slowly.
"What good would that do 2" said til,
girl impatiently. "Kelly or some of ZEN
would take him fast enough; what's faith
er's life against farce No, it's you mus
take him, Joe, and then, if any thing hap
pens," sinking her voice to q meaning whis
per, nobody but you and mes the wiser.
Joe started back.
II can't help it ~ cried the girl passion
ately, twisting her fingers in the shawl
fringe so that it snapped "he's my father
and never was better but for the drink
you know yourself, everybody says so-and
if you could hear that man up there laugh
ing and Boosting he'll hang him Joe
you'd find it hard to keep your hands OF
of him; but don't ask you to so much II
touch finger to him, only, ifthe boat turn
over, he can't swim. 1 heard him say SO
and then fathers saved, and nobodys tn
wiser, for the best boatman that ever wa
might have an accident on squally eve
ming like this"
"There, there, Marcy, be still, poor CIR
you don't know what you're saying" inter
posed Joe.
Eyes l do" said she passionately "neve
you think that, Joe Gorton. tell you
lays with you to save father or to kill hin
yes and me too, for if they hang him II
never live over the day, and that swear
so you choose between us. Hank 2" sh
turned to listen. II can't stay" She press
ed her hand hard on his shoulder, lookin
up piteously in his face. "Joc, if ever 20
cared for me, save that poor old man
And before he could answer she was gon'
leaving him looking after her like one in
dream.