The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-01-12

increasing gale; but in the far distance a
snow-white speck, in strong relief against
the black horizon, seemed to be attracting
every eye.
"'Tis she, sure enough" said a coast
guard man, examining her through his pow
erful glass. "Top-sers gone, or struck, but
- Heavens, how she travels! If she don't
round that 'ere fag-boat in half an hour. my
names not Bill Jerdine, nor her'n Cocka-
too"
Bill was true prophet. On swept the
gallant yacht in solitary grandeur. Of the
rest, the Dione alone remained in the race, a
mile or more astern, and with terrific heel,
while the Cockatoo sailed like a moving
rock.
The report Of the winning gun was inaud-
BILE in the storm, but the flash and smoke
announced the latters victory. As she
rounded the flag boat, however, a strange
thing occurred. Her distinguishing flag
the deaths head and ross-bones-which, by
custom, should have been flown till sunset,
was seen to sink half-mast hight
Being now in smooth water, she was quick
ly surrounded by boats, the excitement on
shore increasing in proportion. Very soon
the news was told, Bob Grantham, with sobs
that shook his shaggy frame, announced
! that his master lay dead on the wave-washed
deck.
He had seemed VERY weak" Bob ex-
planned, but he didn't complain muffin"
| Haitian hour since, however, he had beckoned
Bob, and, with very labored utterance,
| babe him thank the hands for the skill and
attention to duty to which he owed his vic
! tory, his last understanding to postum
nous testimony-being these: "Coom wot
may, Bob, you take her in winner Give
US your hand, old friend, and now don't We
look at the guy'ner again till you hears the
winning gun" And, by jingo," added
| Bob, fairly bursting into tears when we
run to him he was gone'
Not having been appraised of old Louisa's
fears so quickly as Mr. Earwaker, l only
reached Fountain Violet late that day The
solicitor met me on the threshold, feelingly
communicated the news, and conducted me
to the chamber of the dead. | had not seen
my poor uncle for twenty years, and was
| prepared for great change. But no; in
the calm of death those twenty years had
vanished. With his closed lips and eyes the
old man looked as young-I had almost said
as comely-as my dear mothers dead face
had been described to me.
In the evening, after melancholy meal in
the hushed house, Mr.. Earwaker suddenly
addressed me-
81 fear, my dear sir, that important bust
ness will demand my presence In London to-
morrow, or at least the following day. 1t
would, perhaps, facilitate matters were we
at once to ascertain what steps should be
taken in regard to your poor uncle's affairs.
There is reason TO suppose they will not
cause us much trouble" concluded Mr.. Ear
walker, with significant smile.
"Of that you are better judge than l." l
replied, innocently. 81 should fancy, how
ever, that my poor uncle expended his means
chiefly on his yacht"
"Quite so. At any rate, the keeping of
this old mansion must have cost him little.
The land is worth something, though the
site is somewhat bleak for building pur-
poses. 1t cannot be worth much. We can,
with your approval, proceed at once to bust
ness. Your uncle's will lies, am told, in
that cabinet, of which Louisa has found the
key. Shall we examiner"
l assented, and Mr.. Earwaker, with pro-
fessional promptitude, selected and opened
the document
In few lines it declared the dispositions
already made known, 4. C.: the yacht and con-
tents on one part, the mansion and contents
on the other; myself to have the choice.
Mr.. Earwaker folded up the paper and
looked at me inquringly.
81 know little of the value of land herea-
bouts, SIR said, after pause; "still less
of the worth of yacht; but-but this vessel,
the only object in which my poor uncle took
a cordial interest, seems somehow to com
mend itself to my choice"
Mr.. Earwaker grasped my hand.
| The notion, my young friend, does you
honor" he exclaimed, warmly. eve can
then, if you think.ft, join in q rough record
of this little arrangement, and so clear the
way for the details which | can carry out in
| London"
This was done, and now an impulse, as
| irresistible as it was unaccOuntable, sud
denly seized me and would not relax its hold.
1t urged me to go at once on board the
vessel-now virtually my own-there to pass
| the night. Mr.. Earwaker, perhaps once
more approving of the sentiment that seemed
to suggest this idea, made but faint resist
ance. Nay, he offered himself to accompany
me to the little cove and present me to the
custodians of the yacht as their new master
| Although the wind was still raging, the
night was bright and clear. We were re-
ceived on board by Bob Grantham and his
mate, both of whom, a little to my surprise,
wore pistols and carried life-preservers of
! formidable size; and, matters being eX-
planned, Mr.. Earwaker took his leave.
Wearied and conscious Of a curious depres-
sion, | soon retired to rest
| Next morning ! was aroused early. A let
ter from Mr.. Earwaker
My dear sir" he wrote, lit has just or
Cured to my mind that friend and client
of my own is seeking yacht just the size of
the Cockatoo. Like yourself, / am ignorant
of the market value of such vessels; but re-
membering that my client is rich and accus-
toned to indulge his fancies, have fixed on
price which must, think, meet your most
sanguine estimate of her value-.e3 600 VIII
you accept it? Yours, etc,
at. EARwAKER."
Much perplexed, l made a contdant of
Bob Grantham.
"Don't you ha' muffin to say ton, guv'nor,"
was Bob's counsel, given with decision.
| wrote few words declining he offer. In
half an hour received second note.
"On my own responsibility | increase my
friends offer to 5000. T. E."
Mr. Grantham, on being shown this, fell
into such commissions of laughter that he
looked like a tipsy bear
"You say, Won't do guv'nor."
A little later third note.
"Have telegraphed. Answer, 'Cdrte
Blanche" viii you take 10000, or what?
at E.n
an tell zee what, guv'nor," growled Bob.
Come along o. me-"
We descended to the hold, Bobs comrade
following. Then the two powerful fell
lows labored about the ballast till they had
laid all bare to the very bottom Within the
false keel-of immense strength-lay rows
upon rows of golden coins. sovereigns,
amounting in all to nearly $4,000, and in
weight little UNDER two tons.
This was my uncle's ballast secret. have
space but for a word more
Grace and agreed To purchase Fountain
Violet, sold at reasonable price for the BEN
eft of the bankrupt estate Of a gentleman
lately resident in Copth l.court, City-rents.
We are happy, prosperous; and | trust