The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-08-17

Margaret; and he had felt secure of her
favor until Harry Craige came. John
Hammersley favored the sailors suit
heartily, and after Margaret had given
her grief its full sway for three months
she was hidden to "mope" no longer,
but cheer up, as there was just as
So, with her sorrow as deep as at first,
her heart true as steel, the girl had to
be present when Hall came to the cot
tage, and listen to his rough wooing.
Again and again she refused his pres
ents, his compliments, his offers to
escort her here or there. But the man
! would not be driven away. Encouraged
by the uncle's liking, he persisted, in
spite of Margaret's GOODNESS. It was not
in the girls nature to be discourteous
or unkind, and her general manner was
accepted as far greater encourage
ment than sne ever intended it to be.
The winter was long agony to her. Her
uncle urged Halls claims at every avail
able opportunity, and the sailor himself
was persistent in his attentions. And
while her days were busy, her evenings
YEARLY spent in uncongenial society,
Margaret's nights were restless and
memory haunted. Where was her lover
hidden? Where was the dark story of
crime written that carried him from her.
She never doubted him, and she kept
his memory bright in her heart. She
did not hope ever to meet him on earth
again, for she was sure that if he lived
he would return to her, but no other
1ovo uoY,ld oxyar obl;toro%o b;o fro,,o bov
heart.
A whole year wore away, and Hall
had urged his suit vehemently in the
preceding days, and Margaret realized
with sad heart, that her steady refu-
sal of his suit was alternating heruncle's
affections. He could not understand
this constancy. Why should Margaret
live alone because one man was false or
unfortunate? So he urged, as they sat
in the parlor of the little cottage and
Margaret listened with dropping head,
and hands folded wearily.
Il can not marry, UNCLE" she said,
gently but firmly; II can not forget
the only man ever loved"
The garden gate changed, step
crunched the gravel, and, without
knocking, a man in rough sailors
dress, bearded and bronzed, stood in
the doorway. One look, and with a
cry Margaret sped to the open arms of
Harry Craige.
John Hammersly only stared, till a
CHEEKY voice said:
You see I am sailor-a man after
your own heart"
"Bless my eyes! where did you come
fromP'
"Off the Sea Gull"
"Whaling?'
"Yes.'S
"But what possessed you to go off in
that way?''
"I will tell you. Sit here beside me,
Margaret. was shanghaid. Do you
know what that means, my pearlp
Your uncle does. Twas drugged, car
ried aboard the Sea Gull, and recover
ed my senses when we were out of sight
of land, bound for a years whaling
crnise.'
"But who" began John Hammers
ley.
civilian Hail. was the stern an
swer. "He told me, Margaret, a week
before our wedding-day Of q friend of
his, a captain of an East Indian vessel,
who had some curiosities that would
please you, and rare shawls and fabrics
| to show me, also. l never thought of
treachery, and when he sent me q note
to meet his friend in the village, Idrove
off. Hslf-way on my trip | met Hall,
and took him up. We drove to small
tavern, and while we waited I drank q
glass of wine with Hall. A numbness
soon seized me, my head grew dizzy,
and knew no more until awoke on
board whaling vessel in the dress of a
common sailor"
"The scoundrel!" muttered John
Hammersley.
81 raised a pretty fuss at first, -
Harry continued, "but it was useless.
Nobody believed I could pay the sum I
offered if they would carry me to Bra
shaw, and l concluded to make the
best of the situation. So, Mr.. Ham
mersley, 1 applied my energies to sea-
manship, and they tell me aboard the
Sea Gull that make very tidy sailor. -
"You are brave lad,'' was the
warm reply, "and I'm heartily glad
you're back and I'm heartily glad Of
another thing-and that is that Mar
garet's true love has baffied Halls lit
tie game. Old as am, he had better
keep out of reach of my arm!''
Apparently the baff1ed schemer
thought so himself, for he was never
more seen in Brashaw. Two there
were who little cared. The two were
married few weeks later, and Uncle
John threatened to find wife himself
but at last accounts he had failed to dc
so, preferring to wait till Margaret's
eldest daughter becomes old enough te
take her mothers place as housekeepel