National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-02-21
A VISIT FROM THE FLYING DUTCH.
MAN.
Come sit thee down by me love.
Come sit thee down by me,
And | will tell thee many tale
OF the dangers of the sea"

VI INC uallseIh Oh tue sea.
Along the great but dirty thorough
fare of Thames street, past the Custom
House and the Tower, towards the Docks,
were plodding stalwart seafaring man
and sweetheart. Elizabeth Rubb was
the daughter of a merchant captain,
whose vessel was now lying in St. Kath-
arines Docks; and her promised hus-
band was the second mate of the same
ship. This Christmas eve was the eve
also Of their wedding day, and the young
couple were going on board the Uon0ra
to pass few hours with the buff old
seaman, the father in esSc of the one
and in posse of the other.
" II fathers in one of his good moods,
Bob, said the bride elect, "my but
sha'nt We have some nice yarnsl"
Gay, ny, LASS returned the mate.
"Ne 'er better man than the skipper
to spin yarns.
Yes, l know that, Bob and 1 do
love one of fathers tales that make your
blood run cold, and the hair rise on
your head"
Strange fancies for girls to have,
lass. But then, You women are queer
creatures.
The young couple entered the dock
gates, and after considerable amount
OF scrambllng over the decks OF inter
vening vessels, and without losing their
way IN the labyrinth of masts and spars,
which would have bewildered lands
man, at last reached the Honora. On
the deck they were received by the old
ha r..
cap, and his bull-like throat enveloped
IN dozen wraps-first welcomed his
daughter with a resounding kiss, and
then remarked cit were goin' to be an
uncommon dirty night.
Well, father" said his daughter,
then We'll go below at once"
Ay, my hearties, come below" said
the lovial old fellow. GA warm well
come makes amends for poor cheer"
what the captain would have termed
good cheer ;" is not related but when
the young couple descended the COM
panlon-ladder, and entered his cabin,
Miss Rudd remarked to her swain, "that
she dld not think fathers good cheer
was amiss. The cabin itself looked
snug enough. 1t might have been term
ed furnished" so stocked was it with
charts, maps, compasses, quadrants,
telescopes, and other sailor like sur
roundings. Three small chests served
the pNrpose of seats, and in the centre
was an enormous one, spread with all
sorts OF things. A large piece of cold
speed beef, n smoked Norway goose,
feindeers tongue, an English barn-door
io~i tthls was intended as special COM
Piiment to the bride elect, and huge
slab of cold and somewhat heavy plum
pudding, did not seem to denote that
the captains "locker" was in a state
mat threatened starvation. A large
pewter pot of porter, procured from the
OhVe Branch on shore, completed the
preparations for the feast. A portable
nrazler of great size, containing glow
ing hre, gave an air of considerable
shugness and comfort to the homely
scene.
La sakes, fatherr' cried Betsy, "why,
heres feast for a feet!'
inst snack. my dear, justa snack,
replied the old man, affecting lofty in
difference, but evidently expecting to
pe complimented, and as evidently
gratified by his guests appreciation of
,he .e good things provided for them
besides, TALKS amt married every day,
my girl, and this here's the last spread
as ~ have to give We long while"
ana Tor moment the old tar looked a
little downcast.
There, father, there, cheer up!" said
MS daughter, herself little moved, ait
ain as II l were going to leave ye alto.
gether. Bob and mes to live with ye,
ye know, and you'll both see me every
voyage, and I shall keep things 'taut
Ior We both while you're away. A sailors
vile mustn't be particular it amt as if
were going to leave We altogether"
No more it amt lass" said the old
man, frightening up; "and now here's
lots of meat and soft old tommy, let's
fall to-"
And "fall to they did; and if the
banquet was wanting in the refnements
OF rich mans luxurious table, it was
none the less, but rather the more,
u earthly enjoyed.
Lhe remains of the viands removed,
ana the spirits and pipes alone left on
1Me ,l' large chest which served for table,
!, ,Liizabeth Rudd looked meaningly at
ner lover, and then coaxingly on her
,na,tIher, n,I as she took his pipe and herself
niied 1t and lighted it for him.
Now, father, dear, as we're all SO
=, NJ one of your nice yarns
AN! lass, said the old captain, af-
,Jschng reluctance; "my yarn-spinning
days are over"
>, oh, nonsense, fatheri" exclaimed
.he young woman, well knowing that
'ne Old man required as much pressing