Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-02

. white teeth. 1.-the figure and a smiling.
roguish mouth"
Uucle Joseph seemed TO be talking to
himself. not to me, and | thought be
started when exclaimed, "Why. Jane
might have sat for that picture You
describe her exactly as she was when |
saw her last. just before she left home for
ST. MarY's Hail."
80 she might, Frank, but | was not
thinking Of her then. The doctors
i daughter was not bit romantic, and her
name was Just plain Ellen Jones. But
boys will be boys. II was not week
before found that John was as much in
love as | was, and he was soon paying
marked attentions to the young lady. ]
knew at once, from long experience. that
my chance was gone and indeed it was
only boyish fancy with me. after all,
for | vas to young to think OF marrying.
Zone day we had an adventure which
| often think OF now when look at that
picture there. Two OF the fishermen had
bought new boats, about the same sizs,
but different somewhat 10 rig and model,
and there was much talk about their re-
spective sailing qualities. A still breeze
was blowing and some ugly clouds were
gathering 10 seaward. but John proposed
tha, we should try the boats for short
sail, and with the owners consent We
pushed off 10 round the outer buoy and
back as test Of speed. The boats had
each single spritsail. but | ielt sure that
Johns carried too much canvass and
would not behave well in gale. We
soon got them on the wind, and were
sailing pretty evenly together when !
heard the muttefing OF distant thunder.
A moment more and the sails were flap
ping heavily, everything was still as
death but the white caps were plain
enough to what had been the leeward
short time before. We were q good
mile from shore, and called out to John
TO look out for flaws. and put my boat
upon a homeward tack. Without s mo-
ment's warning the gale burst upon US,
and as my own boat bowed gracefully TO
The wind and threw the water from her
bows, saw JohD's mast quiyer and bend
as large sea swept over the gunwale
and drenched him from head 10 foot. Let
go your, sheet = shouted. 'and luff her
up into the wind But instead Of doing
so, be hauled powerfully upon the SWELL
ing sail. put his helm hard down, and the
next moment the boat was tossing bottom
up, and John was struggling in the seeth-
ing waters. had no fears for his life,
Tor he was powerful and skilllul swim.
mer, and this was not the first upset for
either OF us; but | never was so deeply
impressed before by Johns lad seaman
ship. lie gained the boat without diff
Guilty, he cambered on TO The upturned
bottom, so that had time TO let 60 my
sheet and double-reef my sail. | then
bore down on him and took him aboard,
and the two of US had little trouble in
Fighting his boat and towing her ashore.
| have mentioned the incident only be-
cause / always connect it in my mind
with what happened years aiterward.
"Six months after this our father died,
aud John wished 10 be married at once.
But + len, although she could not hide
her attachment 10 him, steadily refused
to engage herself on account OF her in
valid mother, whose only and devoted
attendant she was. Fickleness was not
one of my brothers faults, and he was
true and steady in his love for the gill
how true and steady Inever knew until l
learned it from himself in my ships cabin
on the broad Atlantic. found myself
with lew thousand pounds and care
less guardian, from whom II was not
difficult 10 get the money into my own
hands. Ia few weeks left home for
Liverpool, aud have never seen my ma
tive town since that day."
Uncle Joseph paused to light fresh
cigar, and then opened The cabinet and
filled the two glasses again. II was the
only time ever knew him TO do such
thing.
"0f course looked naturally TO the
water, and saw lor the first time pros
pect of gratifying my boyish longing for
the sea. My funds were sufficient to en-
able me 10 purchase a pretty staunch
little barque and part interest in her cargo
of Wedgwood and Sheffield ware, and |
sailed in her as a passenger for Naples
and market. 1t was foolish venture,
but my friends cared Just enough abont
me to assist me in carrying out my plans.
while none gave me serious advice. II
turned out we'll however. and my profits
were quite large. Two other voyages.
one to New York and the other to Val
paraiso, turned out equally well, and
meantime was using my opportunities
to study navigation practically under the
direction of my master, an old and able
seaman. My ambition was to command
my own ship aud carry my own cargo.
common thing In those day, when the
merchant marine Of England was gen.
orally officersd by men who were the
peers in every respect of those who held
her naval commissions. had some pru
dence, however, and therefore chartered