The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-07-17
SHE NRtBuHE.
LUCY'S CHOICE.

of spars, harpoons, blubber-spades and
knives, empty oil-barrels, barrels OF
water and of salt junk, boxes of hard
tack, and other stores, lay around or
were being rapidly slowed aboard. There
were supplies for years, as 1T seemed.
And all would be needed, for the Polly
was bound for the arctic seas, where
amidst snow and ice, she vas TO cruise
for whales and trust 10 Providence for
luck. All day long the toilers labored, as
they had for many days before. but the
task was nearly done, And when, night
descended upon the town, her Captain
turned to go. leaving the greasy tub that
held his fortune, to the careful watch, he
rubbed his hands, and said to me that
in three days we should bid the old town
good-by for many long month.
Captain John Hoskins was an old
friend of my fathers. aud many trip
had they taken together in former days;
but my fathers last voyage was over,
and after growing gray amidst wild scenes
of stormy sea. and crashing ice-bergs he
had laid him down peacefully at last, his
perils ended, his rest that should have
no end begun. l, Abner Skidmore, in
herited the Captains affections, and in
my turn had become his shipmate. His
home and my mother ST was her only
child-were almost close together, SO
close that the little patches belonging to
each, and where grew the few light crops
possible to be raised in that sterile re-
gion, nearly touched. 1t was not an ac-
tualy lonely spot, but there were few
neighbors, and my mother was glad
enough that her sister and sisters hus-
band lived with her. They have moth
ing to do with the story, however. As
was her household during my fathers
long absences and now mine. so was the
Captains. He was a WidoWer, and be,
too, had but one child, girl, Lucy, of
whom [ have much to tell She is
well, she was then-just eighteen. |
thought her an angel. That pretty Lucy,
with her blue eyes and rosy cheeks and
golden hair and delicately rounded figure,
could not be other than the best as we'll
as the loveliest of God S creatures. Well,
for that matter, | think so still for |
was in love, as may be imagined. and am
not cured of that complaint yet. Did
she know it? How could l tell? Her
fathers laughing eyes would often rest
upon US when we were together, and |
fancIe6 that he would not frown upon
match between US; nay, | felt SO sure
my secret that | could at such times
hardly meet his glance without blush.
On that April evening, in fact [ thought
rather bitterly that | had been an abso-
lutte fool Here was | to leave her in
three days, not to return perhaps for
two and perhaps for more than two years,
and had never yet found courage to
speak plainly to my dear one or to her
father. | dare say | showed something
of this uneasy, mortified feeling as we
came in sight Of the two cottages, for the
Captain turned half round and looked at
me with a sort OF inquiIing wonder.
Then and there | made up my mind.
Captain Hoskins,'' said |, abruptly,
I want to speak to you.
Why, speak away, lad. Something
particular, [ suppose, to be called speak
ing, and different from conversing, which /
we've been doing more or less all day"
and he laughed hearty.
Yes; something that I've thought
of for years. IfLucy-'
Ay! the winds in that quarter, is
it, my lad? Well. I've not been blind,
however, heave ahead
What you say makes it easier for (
me, and am very grateful. May | hope (
that if she likes me we'll enough you will
not object to our marrying some day?
There. Sir, it's all out, and I'm glad of
it, for | have been miserable long enough
keeping my secret.
Abner," replied the Captain, so
far as | am concerned, you have my
goodwill, and best wishes. But how do
you think she feels about it? You say if
she likes you enough-you mean loves
you enough, of course? p
''If l dared | would say that, ]
answered but am not sure of it.
&c You've never asked her p
Never. How could | without getting
your permission ?"
"Quite right, lad young people
ought to have some regard to the opinion
OF the old folks. Though. for that mat
ter, when Lucy's mother, poor dear, and
l had our first talk | doubt whether her
father-but that's no matter you have
acted ike the honest young friend | Lave
known you for. When will you speak to
her? It's as well to sail with an easy
mind, dye see"
Tonight" l replied, manfully. But
though there was no uncertainty in my
tone, l was not altogether easy as to the
result. There was a neighboring family
named Strong Jacob, the eldest son,
was. like ourselves, whaler, and Gne,
handsome, open-hearted fellow as any
one could wish to see. He was very
frequent visitor, mot only at the Captain 5
house, but at my mothers; and | knew
that he admired Lucy, to say the least
There might be possibility that he was
more favored than [; and certainly she
seemed to be as well disposed to one as
to the other, though l was sure of her
father. How is girl to judge between
a silent lover and one that compliments
and pays court to her? At all events,
not another sun should rise before |
knew my fate-Hot the best frame of
mind in which to seek it. you will say.
When the Captain and | reached his
house Jacob was there; and it looked I.
rather squally for Lucy to run out at one
door Of the parlor when we walked in st /
another. Jacobs face, too, was not so 4