The Republican journal., 1873-06-05
The Jack Of Hearts.

The Jack of Hearts.
The Jack of Hearts Whenever | 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 commander.
1t was my first voyage as captain, and
we were bound for Santa Cruz, via Porto
Rico. The Clara Bell was not passen-
ger ship, but a regular West Indian
sugar drogher, and | was much surprised
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 as pleasant as possible-bought
q canary, Il melodeon, and dozen or
two of Towering plants. and prepared my
| officers for the occasion. Mr.. Winke,
my chief mate, had a weakness for ex-
| treme undress, and preferred dining with
out the membranes of coat and vest,
while Bill Hoffman, the second mate, had
ii penchant for eating his meals standing
in the stewards pantry, or on the break
of the poop, exposed al fresco to the
hungry gaze of the crew. With ladies on
board, these eccentricies had to be aban-
doned; and when the time arrived for
our passengers to embark, Mr. Winke
and Mr. William Hoffman, arrayed in the
tightest and most uncomfortable suits Of
navy blue, were at the gangway to re-
ceive them. Unfortunately but one lady
made her appearance. l say this because
had our charming passenger been ac-
companied by her aunt, as was first in
| tended, | should not have been so long a
deluded, blind, conceited 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 land
ing her upon the deck, said, Captain,
low me to introduce you to Miss Clara
Bell" and then left the ship as though it
We're infected.
Now my father, who was 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 |
noticed that he seemed somewhat discon-
certed, and when | had introduced my
passenger to him, and sent for the colored
stewardess whom had shipped for the
voyage he motioned me TO 90 on deck
The lady begged that | would not
! trouble about her, bat attend to my father,
adding, "You and l will have plenty of
time to talk during the voyage"
| Upon reaching the poop my father
seated himself by the binnacle, and thus
addressed me: "Ned, you are about to
make your first voyage as master, and to
take charge of lady passenger. Now
mark my words: she will set her cap at
you. | don't mean to say that she isn't
about rs pretty as they make 'em, but,
my son, keep you weather eye open, or
she'll fool you! God bless you, lad
good-bye!'
Then, with last warning shake of the
head and q tender grasp, my worthy
father quilted the ship.
In another hour we were running be-
fore a fresh breeze, and my passenger
was-invisiblc.
Two days passed, and on the third the
stewardess informed me, ode lady pas
senger wants to see you, captain -
told the gorgeous female, who was
dressed in a bright pink muslin gown
trimmed with blue. that | would be at the
lady's service in a few moments, and then
prepared myself for the encounter 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 a complete idiot of
myself in action as we'll as thought; but
didn't do It.
"Good-molning, Miss Bell %
"Good-morning, captain" reaching out
her pretty little hand, and exhibiting
such 4 perfect arm
am afraid that seemed very sheepish.
| know felt so, and began to look out of
the stern port. The lady was quite cool,
and went on with her embroidery in a
persevering manner. At last | stammered
out
care you quite well now, Miss Bell ?"
sob, dear me, yes, captain; but have
one favor to beg of you-please don't call
me Miss Bell; all my friends call me
Clara, and as you are to be my guardian
| until we reach Porto Rico, we may as
well be friends from the first You will
kindly not call me missr'
| All, thought, yon are setting your cap
at me, just as my father predicted but
then she did it so naively, and l felt SO
| t1attered, that | threw paternal advice to
the winds, and, fguratively speaking,
stepped past 1.-The point of caution" and
was floundering among the 'rapids" ere
knew where I was. Before dinner-time
| was-gone.
"For whom are you making that orna-
ment. Miss-pardon me-Clara ?" / re-
specially inquired, glancing toward
| sort OF band which she was embroidering
''For my Jack, captain
.'How old is he ?" | insinuated.
"Oh, dear Jack says that he's quite
puppy yet" she replied. He's Porto Rico
poodle! ~
"Oh!" gasped, beginning to conjure
up rival-''a dog?"
Eyes, captain; but why did you inquire
in so grave a manner?"
The words were on my lips, "Clara-"
but fancying that l detected slight tinge
of sarcasm in her voice, | merely replied,
''Oh, didn't mean anything"
"T'm glad of that" answered the lady.
''because | want you to Thoroughly under
stand me-"
She fixed her glorious eyes on me as
she spoke. and-I felt worse than ever.
| saw it all at a glance; sent to New
York in order to finish her education !;
been cooped up in genteel seminary; no
congenial society; vacations spent with
old Bell, who was probably her uncle !;
now Electromagnetic sailor, etc., etc.
L soon got over the ''rapids," and on
the fourteenth day went "clean over the
| falls"
She told me all about her family-her
father and mother, brother Jack, cousin
Jack, dear Jack, and my Jack; and l
quite understood why she had named her
poodle Jack; but in our delicious game
of-whIst-h Irritation cared little about her
| playing four knaves, as thought that l