Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-09-06
From the New York Ledger,
JOHN TAGGERT'S TRIAL.
BY MRS. AMELIA E. BARR.

Twenty-Five years ago this summer,
/ spent some delightful months in that
most picturesque and charming of re-
treats-the Isle of Man, with my head
quarters at Castletown
During the summer months, when
the herring fishery was at its height,
Castletown pier In the early hours of
the morning was a most picturesque
place, with its boats, and masses of
cleaning fish, and queer fishermen
and fsherWomen too, for that matter
Irish and Scotch and Welsh and Eng
hsh and Manx
But towering, like Saul, head and
shoulders above the crowd. noticed
always young Manxman, who seemed
to be an authority on all subjects of
sale He wore the common dress Of
blue flannel, cut Ia the usual quaint,
ungraceful form, but no form of dress
could have spoiled a figure moulded In
natures noblest proportions. His bare,
brown throat supported head and
face strikingly handsome, though it was
evident from its glowing, bronzed tint,
that it had been set against the suns and
winds of heaven for many a year.
We soon found out that this man
was universally respected, and eagerly
sought after, not only by his own class,
but by leisurely visitors, to whom his
knowledge of the sea and of the coast,
and of every point OF interest within a
days pleasuring, was Invaluable.
He seemed, however, to particularly
attach himself to young Englishman,
called Philip Saville, who spent some
Of his time sketching, riding, and dining
with the officers Of the garrison; but
the most of it In an open boat out at
sea-. Indeed, people soon began to no
tice that Philip Saville and the fisher
man, John Taggert, were never very
long apart.
The summer passed, and autumn
with its occasional stormy days was up
on us. Still Saville fingered, people
said, solely because he could not bear
to part with John Taggert. had, how
ever, some doubts whether John was
the only charm; for twice when I had
been gathering blackberries in Ballabeg
woods, had come upon Saville' and a
beautiful peasant girl, named Mary
Boyd, belonging to the little hamlet on
the sands A few days after my second
meeting of them, received an invita-
ton to attend Manx fsherman's we'd
ding to be given In the great barn of
4Gwynne estate; for the brides people
had been retainers of the Gwynnes for
centuries, and the master of Gwynne
and all his family were to dance at the
bridal. Many of the officers and visit
ors Of the city were guests, and among
The rest Philip Saville. 80 It
His glance, on entering the big barn,
sought until it found Mary, and then it
followed her every movement. Itseem-
ed to specially annoy Philip that John
Taggert was on the most familiar terms
with her, and after while, as John
passed him, he said In queruloas
voice:
Il should. think, John, you would be
tired trotting round after shat little girl
YOU have done nothing else for three
hours"
John answered pleasantly:
eAnd what for would | be tired In
three hours, when it is all the days of
my life I mean to trot after her Z"
Philips face darkened yisibly, but he
made no answer. Soon after, however,
Imissed him, and looking through the
room saw Mary was also absent. 1t
was lovely September night, with a
full, yellow moon, and as many of the
visitors had left the barn for a stroll
on the frrn, dry sands, took friends
arm and joined them. We had not
walked far when we met Philip and
Mary hand III hand; and when John
sFaegert missed his love and his friend,
he walked to the barn door, and in
stantly saw them scattering together
on the moonlit sands.