Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-08-08


not sm0ke-had been run over by
dear Jack-twice bitten by brother
Jack, and once saved from punish
ment by cousin Jack.
What cared l which knave was
being played, so long as l 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 Beanstalk,
Jack the Giant killer, or any other
absurd nonsense. All l saw was
her glorious beauty and beaming
smile, and felt that was-wcll, ]
felt convinced that had made a
deep impression. .@
1t was upon a moonlight night
that | "went over the falls," after
this fashion.
With all her frankness of man.
ner, Clara was not in the most re-
mote 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
overstepping a certain line, even
when admitting us to what men call
"good-fellowship."
Of course, in my youthful ego
tism, l blinded myself to all this (;
worshiped her, shut my eyes, and
over l went.
She was looking at the moon, and
telling me a quaint conceit about
it's inhabitants, while l was gazing
upon her sweet face, and burning
for the moment to arrive when l
could tell her how devotedly l loved
her. She pictured a lunar Arcadia,
and had mentally taken me by the
hand and wandered through its
scenes-an angel introduc-
ing the spirit Of a lunatic to his
proper world.
Now, upon my honor, beyond the
freedom of trust with which she had
rom the first moment treated me. l
;an most truly say that Clara Bell
lad never given me any reason to
believe that she was in love with
he. l was young, impetuous sail
,r; she a woman accustomed to
being honored and petted by a large
circle of friends, and who, remem-
,ering my profession, had treated
ne as a brother.
l am not fond of confessing my
'ins and weaknesses, but do this as
. warning to other nautical idiots.
"Claraw 1 tremblingly began.-
She turned from me, and endeavor-
ID to withdraw her hand, which l
lad imprisoned as L uttered her
lame. "Clara
No reply-and upon my life, al
hough I had uttered it in whis-
,er, the name seemed to mockingly
,cho back from the gloom. How
'ver, I felt her tremble.
"Clara-my dear Miss BelW Il
vas on the edge of the fallD, ~ am
lot used to describing my ordinary
ceilings, and these are too deep for
ltterance-but from the core of my
leart l love you! !" 1 was over the
)rink.
"Captain y she exclaimed. This
vas a quencher.
"Miss Bella" faltered.
"Will you do me. a favor" she
aid.
Now or never, thought I. "Pd die
,O-tO-"
"You stupid man " she laughed,
have I given you any reason why
you should thus address me9"
"Miss Bell" l humbly replied,
most sincerely do l beg pardon for
ny presumptionw
Turning her laughing face full up
N me, she said, "Captain, l am not.
'ngry with you, but beg that you
will never revert to this again un-
il we arrive at Porto Rico, and
hen you must tell dear Jack all
bout it. [ am not angry, for you.
ave shown yourself in every other
vay a true friend and gentleman.
completely forgive this weakness
N your part, and only beg you will
me that when we meet dear
Tack you will ask him it he agrees
o what you wish !"
was foundering about in a"boiP'
It the foot of the mental Niagara,
md she had by her womanly tact,
s it were. fisbed me out and land.