Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-05-07
Mistellanu.
The Jack of Hearts.

ba, X to one sunny May day, when Clara
BeN came on board the bark of that
name. of which craft was proud to com
mand.
1t was my first voyage as captain,
and we we're bound for Santa Cruz, via
Porto RICO. The Clara Bell was not a
passenger ship, but regular West India
sucar 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
NAV be imagined, did my best to make
the cabin as pleasant looking as possible
bought a canary, a melodeon. and a dozen
or two of Towering plants, and prepared
nv officers for the occasion. Mr.. WInke,
nv chief mate, had a weakness for ex-
treme undress, and preferred dining with
ont the membranes of a coat and vest,
while Bill Hoffman, the second mate, had
penchapt for eating his meals standing
in the stewards pantry, or ou the break
of the poop, exposed all fresco to the hun
CRY gaze of the crew. With ladies on
board these excentricities had to be
abandoned, 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 receive
them Unfortunately but one lady made
her appearance. | say this, because, had
our charming passenger been accompanied
by her aunt, as was first intended, [ should
not have been so long 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 4 Alewife. He was a thin,
nervous New Englander, and after landing
her on deck, said 4" Captain, low me to in
troduce you to Miss Clara Bell" and
then lett the ship as though it was in
fected.
Now, my father. who is an old sea cap
tain, had come all the way from New Bed
ford to see me off, and was sitting in the
cabin when Miss Bell tripped aft. l no.
ticed that he seemed disconnected, and |
had introduced my passenger to him and
sent for the coiored stewardess whom | had
shipped for the voyage, he motioned me to
90 on deck.
The lady begged that L would take no
trouble about her, but attend to my father,
adding, " You and will have plenty OF
time to talk during the voyage"
Upon reaching the poop my father seat
ed himself by the pinnacle and thus ad-
dressed me-
Ned, you are about to take your first
voyage as master, and to take charge of a
ady passenger Now mark my words
she will set her cap at you. 1 don't mean
to say that she isn't as pretty as they
make EN-, but my son keep your weather
eye open, or she'll fool you! God bless
you lad, good by" "
Then, with the last warning shake of
the head, and a tender grasp, my father
quilted the ship.
In another hour we were running before
a fresh breeze and my passenger was-in-
visible.
Two days passed, and on the third, the
stewardess informed me, " De lady pas
senger 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. My
passenger was sitting upon the sofa. and
at the first glance all my resolutions van
ished l felt inclined to throw myself al
her feet and make complete idiot of my
self, in action as we'll as thought; but
didn't do it.
Good morning, Miss Bell"
Good morning, captain" reaching out
pretty little hand, and exhibitlng-oh
such perfect arm
| am afraid seemed very sheepish.
know felt so, and began to look out G
the stern port. The lady was quite cool
aid went on with her embroidery in ;
most preserving manner. At last L STAN
mered out
"Are you now quite well, Miss Bell p
"Oh dear me, yes, Captain; but L hav
one favor to beg of you-please don't cal
me Miss Bell; all my friends call M
Clara, and as you are to be my guardian
until we each Porto Rico, we may as wei
be friends from the start. You will kind
ly not call me Miss p
Ah, | thought, you are setting your cal
for me, just as my father predicted bu
then she did it 50 nicely, and felt so fiat
tered, that | threw paternal advice to tn
winds, and fguratlveIy speaking steppe'
past " the point Of caution and was foun
dering among the rapids ere knew
where | was-gOne.
Sc For whom are you making that orna
ment, Miss-pardon me-ClaraY' L respect
fully inquired, glancing toward sort o
band that she was embroiderng.
For my Jack, Captain.
How old is he ?" | insinuated.
"Oh, dear Jack says he is quite pupp
yet" she replied. Hes Porto Ric
poodle"
oh" l grasped, beginning to conjur
up a rival" dog?"
Yes, Captain; but why did you IL
quire in SO grave manner ?'
The words were on my lips, Clara
but fancying that detected slight ting
of sarcasm in her voice, merely re
piled, " Oh, l didn't mean anything"
I'm glad of that" answered the lady
because | want you to thoroughly under
stand me-"
She fixed her glorious eyes upon me a
she spoke, and l felt worse than ever,
saw 1t all at a glance sent to New Yor
in order to complete her education, ooope
up in genteel seminary no congeni'
society vacations spent with old Bel
who was probably her uncle, now I-fre'
dom-gallant sailor, etc.
soon got through the "raplds," an
on the fourteenth day went clean ovt
the falls
She told me all about her family-ht
father and mother, brother Jack, cous'
Jack, dear Jack and my JACK; and qul
understood why she mad named her po
die lanE hnt In our delicate pama