The Van Buren press., 1873-05-27
MISC ANY.
The Jack of Hearts.

| The Jack of Hearts Whenever
hear these words, my thoughts wande
back to one sunny May day, whom Glars
Bell came on board the bark Of tha
name, Of which craft | was the prouc
commander
1t was my first voyage as captain, and
we were bound for Santa Cruz cia Porte
Rico The Clara Bell was not passen
ger ship, but regular West Indian su
gar droghsr, 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, l did my best to make
the cabin as pleasant looking as possible
bought canary, . melodeen, and a
dozen or two Towering plants, and pre-
pared my officers for the occasion. Mr..
Winke, my chief mate, had weakness
for extreme undress, and preferred dining
without the incumbrRnces of coat and
vest, whilo Bill Hoffman. the second
mate, had penchant for eating his meals
standing in the stewards pantry, or on
the break of tao poop. exposed al fresco
to the hungry gaze o. the crew. With
ladies on beard, these eoccntrcites had
to be abandoned; AID when the time ar
rived for our passcn,,ffsto embark Mr.
Wiuke9miird. ass" 1oGr afrat
sIs ssa s,slss ns UP hSSs In ss you L. =, isS y
wayts reosa them K Unfsre"'iately ,bu,
one lady made shet appearance | say
this, because had or charming passcn
ger been accompanied by her aunt, as was
first intended, should not have been so
long doluded, blind, conceited son OF
the sea.
The ally was introduced by one OF the
owners, Mr.. John Shocks, of the firm OF
Bell, Shocks & Alcwife. He was thin.
nervous New Englander. aad 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 was infected.
Now my father, who is an old sea cap.
tain, 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 dscon.
certed, and when l had introduced my
passenger to him, and sent for the color.
ed stewardess whom had shipped for
the voyage, he motoned me to 90 on
deck
Tho lady begged that would not
trouble about her, but attend TO my faith
er, adding: "You and l will have
plenty of time to talk during the voy
age.
Upon reaching the poop my father
seated himself by the binnaele, and thus
me: Ned, you are about to
make your first voyage as Master, and to
take charge Of a lady passenger. Now
mark my words she will set her cap at
you. / don't mean to say that she isn't
about as pretty as they make 'em, but,
my son, keep your westher eye open, or
she'll fool you! God bless you, lad
good byW
Then, with a last warning shake of the
head and tender grasp, my worthy faith.
er quilted the ship.
la another hour we were running be
fore fresh breeze, and my passenger
was-invisiblc. Two days passed, and
on the third the stewardess informed me,
=" DE lady passenger wants to see you,
captain "
| told the gorgeous female, who was
dressed in bright pink muslin gown,
trimmed with blue, that | would be at
the lady's service in few moments, and
then prepared myself for the encounter
Ny passenger was sitting upon the sofa,
and at the FIRST glance all my resolution
vanished. felt inclined to throw my
self at her feet, and make a complete idi.
OF of myself in action as well as thoughts,
but didn't do it,
"Good morning, Miss Belw
Good morning, captain, reaching
GU. her pretty little hand, and exhibiting
oh such a perfect arm
am afraid that ] seemed very sheep.
ish. know felt so, and began to look
out Of the stern port. The lady was
quite cool, and went on with her intro
ductory in most persevsring manner
At last stammersd out:
"Are you quite well now, Miss Bell ?"
.Oh, dear me. yes, captain; but have
one favor to beg of you. Please don't
call mo Miss Bell all my friends call me
Clara, and as you are to be my guardian
until we reach Porto Rico, we may as
we'll be friends from the first. You will
kindly not call me Miss. "
All, thought, you are setting your
sap at me, just as my father predicted !;
but then, she did il so naivsly, and felt
80 fatssrsd that / threw parental advice
to the winds, aHd fgurativsly speaking.
stepped past the point Of caution, and
was floundsring amoag the "rapids "