Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-05-07


lovely creature and listen to the merry
rattle Of her musical voice! l never
troubled myself about which Jack she was
referring to; for aught I knew she might
have told me Jack and the Bean-stalk.
Jack the Giant-killer, or any other equal
ly absurd nonsense. All | saw was her
glorious beauty and beaming smile, and
felt that was-well. felt conceived that
[ had made deep impression.
| was upon a moonlight night that
q" went over the falls" after this fashion ::
With ell her frankness of manner, Clara
was not in the most remote degree unlady
like or forward. She was what all women
should be with our sex-while accepting
our respectful services without restraint,
perfectly equal, but, withal never over
stepping certain line. even when admit
ting US to what men call "good fellow
ship"
of course, in my youthful egotism 1
blinded myself to all this; worshipped
her, shut my eyes and-over l went.
she was looking at the moon. and tell
ing me quaint conceit about its inhabi-
tants, while was gazing upon her sweet
face, and burning for the moment to ar
rive when could tell her how [ loved
her. She pictured luna Arcadia, and
had mentally taken me by the hand and
wandered through it's blssful scenes-an
angel introducing the spirit of lunatic to
his proper world.
Now, upon my honor, beyond the free
dom of trust with which she had from the
first moment treated me, can most truly
say that Clara Bell had never given me
any reason to believe that she was in love
with me. | was young, impetuous sailor +;
she was woman accustomed to being hon.
ored and petted by large circle Of
friends, and who, remembering my pro-
tesslon, had treated me as brother.
| am not fond Of confessing my sins and
weaknesses, but do this as warning to
nautical idiots.
"Clara " l tremblingly began. She
turned from me, and endeavored to with
draw her hand, which | imprisoned as l
uttered her name. CLARA
No reply-and upon my life, although /
had uttered it in whisper, the name
seemed to mockingly echo back from the
gloom. However felt her tremble.
Clara-my dear Miss Bell Il was on
the edge of the talr, Il am not used tc
describing my ordinary feelings, and these
are too deep for utterance-but from the
core of my heart l love you" l was over
the brink.
Captain " she exclaimed. This was
a quencher.
Miss Bell" faltered.
"Will you do me favor ?' she said.
Now or never, thought l. " I'd die to
to"
You stupid man !" she laughed, "have
| given you any reason why you should
thus address me p
Miss Bell" l humbly replied. most
sincerely do beg pardon for my presump-
tion."
Turning her laughing face full upon me,
she said, Captain, [ am not angry with
you, but beg that you will never revert to
this again until we arrive at Porto Rico,
and theD you must tell dear Jack all about
it. l am not angry, for you have shown
yourself in every other way true friend
and gentleman. completely forgive this
weakness on your part, and only beg that
you will promise me that when We meet
dear Jack you will ask him if he will
agree to what you wish -
was fouDdering about in the boil y
at the foot of the mental Niagara, and she
had by her womanly tact, as 1t were, hshed
me out and landed me.
But to which Jack am | to confess p
| cried, beginning to treat the matter as a
joke-serious enough to me, for [ feel the
wound to this day. " Not to the poodle
surely ?"
10 the first Jack that comes Cd board
upon our arrival off Porto Rico" replied
the lady holding out her hand. 'Good
night, Captain c."
[ escorted her to the companion-way
and then returned to my seat.
l did not feel any great amount of self
concelt just then, in fact, had a wave wash
ed me off the poop at that moment,
should not have tried to return to the ship
had no doubt but that she was engaged
to some fellow-a mere mess of-well
nothing like myself (self-conceit rapidly
returnlDg) In fact, when | thought th'
matter over, l came to the conclusion tha
this charming, lovely, divine, superb. ele
CANT bewltching young lady had been
making fun Of me, and that she really was
in love with some Darrow-ehested, vapid
weak constituted Porto Rlcan, (Self-con
ceit quite recovered.)
really began to pity her, and though
that my dear bluff old father was seconG
Solomon. But why had she set her car
at me? supposed it was-well, L know
better now.
We arrived off Porto Rico about day
break the next morning, and as l gave th'
word, " Let 60 the anchor" Clara CAM
up and saluted me as cheerfully as though
| had never confessed to her the real stat
of my affections.
couldn't help worshiping her still
quietly of course-and her dress finished
the matter. l lent her my binocular, ant
she rested it on my shoulder as thougt
L never had gone over the falls"
There he is r' she cried, almost drop
ping my telescope in her excitement. 80
they have shaved half of his body. ant
dear Jack, he is looking at me.'' Here sh
kissed her hand to something in the boat
then grasped mine, and said. Don't yo'
forget, Captain G."
Six-foot brother. | thought as the boa
swept alongside, but cousin Jack an
brother Jack were, one after the other, rec
ognized and kissed to in pantomime; an
| began to wonder which Of the knave
would be her trump card. They were al
tall, handsome, and anything but the pun.
creatures of my imagination.
Jack number one; with the poodle
climbed up the side, and running af'
caught Clara in his arms while she laughe