The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-10-28
The Secrets Of Dolly's Chair.
coNcnuDED.


| the young man, and turned the
quid in his cheek, then carelessly
asked
"Dld you know that fool Wilson has
tumbled down the cliff steps and dis
abled himself, at least for this voy-
age Y'
"Your first mateY Hullo, skipper
Is that what you meanY Will you give
me the berth p''
"Hold hard, lad What are you
squeezing my old flipper for, and what's
your rage for Halifax just nowY Is the
English lass that was here last winter
up there, or have you quarreled with
your uncle, or"
"Never mind why 1 want to get to
Halifax replied the young man, rap
idly, selling upon this version of his
eagerness to ship in the Dolphin. " But
saying do, will you give me Wilson'S
place 2"
"Why, yes, Belknap, and be glad to
get you; for I've seen you handle boat
round the harbor here and up on the
fishing ground often enough to know
that you're worth having aboard, even
If you But look here there's the gal.
She's got to have the after cabin, and
her meals are to be separate, and no one
knows all the fine airs she'll put on
Maybe you couldn't stand it, and don't
know as 1 can. The little she-Tory !"
But John Belknap did not seem in the
least disturbed even at this prospect,an
no other objections coming up, tie bar
gain was soon concluded, the young
mans name set down upon the schoon-
er's books as mate, Uice Thomas WIZ
son, discharged, and he at once entered
upon his duties. One of the first of
them was to receive and place the last
articles of Miss Dolly's luggage, includ-
ing the arm chair, which he was about
to have slowed in the hold, when the
young lady herself came off, attended by
her father. AT sight of the first mate
standing beside the open hatchway,
reeving line around the chair, Miss
Dolly showed signs of some embarrass-
ment, whether arising from the sudden
appearance of her old friend and school
fellow or from his employment, no one
can say.
"Oh, John-but the chair is for my
cabin. And are you helping Captain
Peters get readyY" stammered she, and
the mate, hardly less disturbed, replied,
in much the same style:
Certainly, Dolly-of course, Mistress
Cathcart; it will be as you direct, sure
ly; and-yes, of course; am mate of the
Dolphin, you know"
You mate of the Dolohias Since
when, John Belknap ?" asked Dolly's
father, severely.
"To-day, Sir. I was looking for a
voyage,and wanting to go upon my own
business to Halifax; and as Wilson is
disabled, took the place." replied Bel
knap, a little more coherently ,and meet
ing as best he might the piercing regard
fixed upon him by the major from be-
meath his shaggy gray eyebrows. AT last
the veteran slowly spoke:
{" You have a right to your own bust
ness, as you say, John Belknap, and L
have known you boy and man for an
honest, honorable, and true-hearted fell
low, until this foul breath of treason
swept through the land, tainting you
among the rest with its poison. But, for
all that,I give this girl into your charge,
to guard her with all respect and modest
courtesy to her journeys end, remem-
bering that her lonely and unprotected
state should be her best defense from
even an idle word or look. Will you
accept the charge, and give me your
hand upon it, John 2"
Indeed will, Major Catheart, and
you may demand account of her when 1
return as strictly as you will. 1 shall
not be ashamed to give it,"
AS the young man spoke he held out
his hand. The elder grasped it heartily
and for moment the two gazed steadily
into each others eyes. Then John
turned to resume his duties, asking;
Did you say, Mistress Dolly, that
you wish this chair in the cabin p'
IF you please, Sir,' replied the girl,
demurely; and presently the great
clumsy structure was wedged in be-
tween the table and the tHHnsom at the
stern end of the little schooner, taking
up much more than its share of room
and greatly disgusting Captain Peters
by its presence the first time he came
below. There was little to say, how