The Republican journal., 1873-06-05

Jack did this-drove her here-wrote
her all the news-was perfectly frantic
because she could not return sOoner-had
the distemper-was in favor of emancipa-
tion-didn't smoke-had been run over
by dear Jack-twice bitten brother Jack,
and once saved from punishment by
cousin Jack.
What cared which knave was being
played, so long as | could be near this
lovely creature and listen to the merry
rattle of her musical voice | never
troubled myself about which Jack she
was referring to; for aught | knew she
might have told me Jack and the Bean
stalk, Jack the Glant-killer, or any other
equally absurd nonsense. All saw was
her glorious beauty and beaming smile.
and felt that | was-WelI, felt convinced
that | had made a deep impression.
1t was upon moonlight night that |
event over the falls" after this fashion
With all her trankness of manner, Clara
was not in the most remote degree un-
lady-like or forward. She was what all
women should be with our sex-while ac-
cepting our respectful services without
restraint, perfectly equal, but, withal
never overstepping a certain line, even
when admitting us to what men call
'good- fellowship.
Of course, in my youthful egotism, |
blinded myself to all this; worshiped her,
shut my eyes, and-over | went.
She was looking at the moon, and tell
ing me a quaint conceit about its inhab-
itants, while | was gazing upon hel sweet
face, and burning for the moment to ar
rive when | could tell her how devotedly
| loved her. She pictured lunar Arcadia
and had mentally taken me by the hand
and wandered through its blissful scenes
an angel Introducing the split of a
lunatic to its 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 a Young. impetuous
sailor, she woman accustomed to being
petted by a large circle of friends, and
who, remembering my profession, had
treated me as a brother.
am not fond of confessing my sins
and weaknesses, but do this as q warning
to other nautical idiots.
Clara :" I trembingly began. She
turned from me, and endeavored to with
draw her hand, which | had imprisoned
as | uttered her name. "Claram
No reply-and upon my life, although
| had uttered it in a whisper, the name
seemed to mockingly echo back from the
gloom. However, felt her tremble.
"Clara-my dear Miss Bell'' 0 was on
the edge of the fall,) 81 am not used to
describing my ordinary feelings, and these
are too deep tor utterance from the
core of my heart | love you?" | was
over the brink.
Captain :" she exclaimed This was
quencher.
''Miss Bell ?" [ faltered.
"Will you do me a favor ?'A she said.
Now Or never, thought l. ''rd die to-
''You stupid mani ~ she laughed, 'shave
given you any reason why YOU should
thus address me 81
miss Bell humbly replied, ''most
sincerely do 1 beg pardon tor my pre-
SUMPTION -
Turning her laughing face full upon
me, she said, Captain, I am not angry
with you, but beg that you will never re-
vert to this again until we arrive at Porto
Rico, and then you must tell dear Jack all
about it. | am not angry. for you have
shown yourself in every other way Il true
friend and gentleman. [ completely for
give this weakness on your part, and only
beg you will promise me that when we
meet dear Jack You will ask him il he
will agree to what you wish -
| was foundering about in the ''boil''
at the foot of the mental Niagara, and she
had by her womanly tact, as it We're,
fished me out and landed me.
''But to which Jack am to confess ?"
l 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 ?''
'sTo the first Jack who comes on board
upon our arrival at Porto Rico !" replied
the lady, holding out her hand "Good-
night, Captain G-.''
escorted her to the companion way,
and then returned to my seat.
did not feel any great amount OF self
concet just then; in fact, had wave
washed 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 mass of
well, not anything like myself. (Self-
conceit rapidly returning.) In fact when
| had thought the matter over, came to
the conclusion that this charming, lovely,
divine, superb, elegant, beWitching young
lady had been making fun of me, and that
she was really in love with some narrow
cheSted, vapid ak-constituted Porto
Rican. (Sef-conceit quite recovered)
really began to pity her, and thought
that my dear, bluff old father was a second
Solo INV, h,I oh
at me9 I suppose it was-well, | know
better now
We arrived off Porto Rico about day
break the next morning, and as | gave
the word, ''Let 60 the anchor" Clara
came up and saluted me as cheerfully as
though had never confessed to her the
real state of my affections.
| couldn't help worshiping her still
quietly, of course-and her dress finished
the matter lent her my binocular, and
she rested it on my shoulder as though |
had never sgone oyer the falls"
"There he is - she cried, almost drop
ping my telescope in her excitement
''Oh, they have shaved half of his body !
and dear Jack, he is looking at me I"
Here she kissed her hand to something in
the boat, and then grasped mine, and
said, "Don't You forget Captain c. -
Six-foot brother! | thought, as the boat
swept alongside; but cousin Jack and
brother Jack were, one after another.
recognized and kissed to in pantomime; ;
and [ began to wonder which of the
knaves would he her trump card. They
were all tall, handsome, and anything
but the puny creatures of my imagination.
Jack number one, with the poodle,
climbed up the side, and, running aft,
caught Clara in his arms, while she
laughed and cried by turns, patting his
brown face and saying:
"Dear Jack oh, dear Jack!'
The poodle shifted round me as though
half afraid that | was weak, selt-con-
ceited young skipper, who ought not to
be noticed; but soon brother Jack and
cousin Jack came tearing aft, and then the
brave little woman-IMiss Clara Bell
told them all how good had been to her,
and
''To which Jack am | to confess ?" l
ruefully inquired, knowing that either
manly fellow would be a lenient Judge.