National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-03-28
THE JACK OF HEARTS.

AiL O.ANh vi hbsthlos
The Jack of Hearts! Whenever I hear
these words my thoughts wander back
to one sunny May-day, when Clara Bell
came on board the bark of that name,
of which craft was the proud com
mander.
1t was my first voyage as captain. and
we were bound for Santa Cruz ria Porto
Rico. The clara Bel was not a pas
senger ship, but regular West Indian
sugar drogher, and l was much surpris-
ed when the owners informed me that |
would have to take charge of two ladies,
who were to be landed at Porto Rico,
As may be imagined, / did my best to
make the cabin rs pleasant-looking as
possible-bought a canary, melodeon,
and dozen or two of Towering plants,
and prepared my officers for the occa-
sion. Mr. Winke, my chief mate, had
weakness for extreme undress, and
preferred dining without the incum-
brances of coat and vest, while Bill
Hoffman, the second mate, had pen
chant for eating his meals standing in
the stewards pantry, or on the break Of
the poop, exposed al .fresco to the hun
CRY gaze of the crew. With ladies on
board, these eccentricities had to be
abandoned; and when the time arrived
for our passengers to embark, Mr..
Winke and Mr. William Hoffman, ar
rayed in the tightest and most uncom-
Portable suits of navy blue, were at the
gangway to receive them. Unfortunate-
ly but one lady made her appearance.
l say this because had our charming
passenger been accompanied by her
aunt, as was first intended, | should not
have been so long deluded, blind, con-
ceited son of the sea.
The lady was introduced by one of
the owners, Mr.. John Shocks, of the
firm of Bell, Shocks, & Alewife. He
was thin, nervous New Englander, and
after landing her upon the deck, said,
Captain, low me to introduce you to
Miss Clara BellH' and then left the ship
as though it were infected.
Now my father, who is an old sea-
captain, had come all the way from New
Bedford to see me off, and was sitting
in the cabin when Miss Bell tripped aft.
l noticed that he seemed somewhat dis
concerted, and when I had introduced
my passenger to him, and sent for the
colored stewardess whom I had shipped
for the voyage, he motioned me to go on
deck.
The lady begged that I would not
trouble about her, but attend to my
father, adding, "You and 1 will have
plenty of time to talk during the voy-
age"
Upon reaching the poop my father
seated himself by the pinnacle, and
thus addressed me: "Ned, you are
about to make your first voyage as mas
ter, and to take charge of lady passen-
ger. Now mark my words: she will set
her cap at you. l don't mean to say
that she isn't about as pretty as they
make EN-, but, my son, keep your wealth
er eye open, or she'll fool you God
bless you, lad-goodby p
Then, with n last warning shake of
the head and tender grasp, my worthy
father quilted the ship.
In another hour we were running be-
fore fresh breeze, and my passenger
was--invisible.
Two days passed, and on the third
the stewardess addressed me, "De
lady passenger wants to see you, cap
tain -
l told the gorgeous female, who was
dressed in bright pink muslin gown
trimmed with blue, that I would be at
the lady's service in few moments,
and then prepared myself for the en-
counter. My passenger was sitting upon
the sofa, and at the first glance all my
resolutions vanished. | felt inclined to
throw myself at her feet, and make
complete idiot of myself in action as
well as thought, but | didn't do it.
"Good-morning, Miss Bell -
"Good-morning, captain" reaching
out her pretty hand, and exhibiting
oh such perfect arm
l am afraid that l seemed very sheep |
ish: L know l felt SO, and began to |
look out off the stern port. The lady
was quite cool, and went on with her
embroidery in most persevering man.
ner. AT last l stammered out,
Are You quite we'll now, Miss Bell?'
Oh, dear me, yes, captain but /
have one favor to beg of you-please
don't call me Mss Bell: all my friends
call me Clara, and as you are to be nv /
guardian until we reach Porto Rico, we |
may as well be friends from the first.
You will kindly not call me missl"
All, l thought, you are setting your
cap at me, just as my father predicted
but then she did it so naively, and |
felt SO fattered, that 1 threw paternal
advice to the winds, and, figuratively
speaking, stepped past " the point of
caution" and was foundering among
the "rapids ere knew where l was.
Before dinner-time was-gone.
For whom are you making that or
nament, Miss-pardon me-Clara ?" l
respectfully inquired, glancing toward
a sort of band which she was embroid-
ering.
" For my Jack, captain"
How old is hep" l insinuated.
oh, dear, Jack says that he's quite
a PUPPY yet" she replied. Hes a
Porto Rico poodle!'
OH? 1 gasped, beginning to conjure
up O rival" doc o,