The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-05-13
The Oysterman's Daughter.


10 the fact Of its being the 18th century,
and is quite content to be two or three
hundred years behind the time. Such
towns lay, Of course5off the great rail-
way tracks and out Of the tourists way.
though they are better worth visiting
than many famous cities.
For instance, no traveller dreams Of
going 10 Whitstable, and yet there is
10 place like it in all the world. An
ancient, well-tO-do; independent little
town. whose sturdy freeholders are all
bound together by ties Of blood, mar
riage and capital an incorporated com-
pany Of Oyster-dredgers, where all tie
members are equal, where all work to-
getheT, and OF which il can be proudly
said, mo one that ever belonged 10 IL
begged q loaf Of bread.u
When / was a girl on a visit 10 Can
terbury, l found out this queer cOmmu-
nifty, circled by the bright, green hills
Of hent-Snd the Island OF Sbeppey, and
facing the blue, salt waters Of the North
Sea. Gregory phanet was then fdfe-
man OF the dredging grounds, and John
Picot was his deputy. The young oys-
termen Of Whitstable greatly respected
Gregory. He was skillful IN his busi-
ness, famous local preacher in the
" eaAA al aAAAA AAAF lAAA AAE AAAA u MAN LA-
ter whose goodness and beauty were the
pride Of the happy community.
Many young fisher, trudgiug TO the
boats with his heavy nets Of buffalo
raw-hide over his shoulders, would 90 q
good bit roundabout for the chance OF
seeing Mary Ihanet at heTcOttage door
a maiden fair as she was pure and Kind
with the tall, swaying figure Of the
kentish girls, aud that bright brown
hair that looks in the sunshine Ike
braided light and gold
IL was a fine, breezy morning in Octo-
ber, and Gregory, with bis four brothers,
and his eight nepheIs, and his cousins
innumerable, had started for the oyster
fleet. Mary stood watching them
plunge slowly over the stony beach.
They went leisurely, like men who had
centuries 10 do their work in, asking
after each others families and laughing
now and then in a heavy, hearty way.
Good morning, Mary"
"Why, good morning, John. The
men are all gone"
my boat will catch theirs, Mary
there is no hurry; the stint is small to-
day, and wanted to see you before the
work began. Come down TO the beach
with me, Mary. Come, dear girl, don't
say me nay"
Mary pinned her blue shawl under
her chin and began slowly 10 pick her
way by Johns side. John had the old,
sweet story 10 tell her, but a man must
be very honestly in love when be wants
TO tell il with a load Of nets over his
shoulder and a keen wind blowing over
a sloppy beach. John Picot thought
nothing Of such things. II Mary loved
him she would have to love him
through many a rough, unIomantic
hour, and bis own love was too serious
10 take into calculation the influences
Of time and place.
$50 that is the truth, Mary, dear,
and whether you will marry me or not,
IL is you aud you only rll love as long
as l live. Look me in the face, my
girl, and tell me truly, yes or no."
She could not choose but look kindly
into a face so frank and handsome, bu
she was too good girl to play a trU,
man false, and she answered plainly;
"JOhn, there is none ike better thar
you, but / don't love you as you Low,
me. pll never deceive you that far"
'But you might learn 10 love IN tha
way, dear say that you will try
Mary"
81 think love should come wilhou
trying John"
They were at the boats by this time
and John threw in his nets and stood .
moment holding her hands and looking
earnestly into her face. There was
something in it which gave him hope
aud he pushed of 10 sea q happy mau
Alas it was the last hope be had ; the
rival whom he never was 10 conquer haC
that moment entered Gregory's cottage
Mary found him there when she went
home-a dark, slight youth, with a face
of almost feminine beauty. He brought
letter 20 Gregory, aud seemed exceed
ingly anxious for his return. When
Gregory came home, he received the
youth with amaZement, and read the
letter be brought with an annoyed and
puzzled look.
"You had better keep close and quiet,
Mr.. Remkin," be said, in rather a cool
way, land Pll see my mates about this
matter. We shall have our regular
meeting at six O'Clock"
Getting near that time, there was q
crowd Of fannel-sbirted, heavy booted
men gathered in the upstairs room oi
the "Duke Of Cumberland hostelry
1t was the Oysiermen's own "House,n ~
and none bat the corporation entered
that room. Yet, before Gregory Thauel
read his letter, he locked the door.
"Iou know Mr Remkin, mates?V
Certainly they did. He was the rich
fish merchant IN Lower Thames street.
London, whose remittaDces, three
times week, were regularly divided in
that very room-an equal share 20 every
dredger.
'His son is in danger. lie has done
wrong, and the police may want him.
The father pleads hard for his son; can
we hide him until he can be sent "a
foreign parts ?"
"If there's blood on his hands" said
old Jasper Bullyn, Eve can't hide him
neither for friends sake nor money.
sake; but if it's a matter that gold car
put right, then the free oyster-dredger.
owe Mr.. Remkin a good turn"
"He's been using money chat is none
Of his-what they call specializing with
it. His father hopes TO stop the laws
claims, mates. Do what you thins
right"
Next morning q new hand went Off Ia
sea with the dredgers-a youth who could
hardly walk in the heavy boots, and
who nearly tainted With the few hours
fatigue and exposure. From the very
first Mary Thauet was bis friend. The
young fishers scarcely noticed him, and
the old ones talked to him about his sin
M way that be did not like. To Mary
alone be poured out the story Of bis
temptations and she found excuses for
ms iall and believed most heartily in
ms sorroW and reformation. To Mary
~. '.t ti- Complaints Of fatigue
anu MS norror ol the sea. and She made
excuses Tor his idleuess and .l.f mir, eit
III tne cnlmney-corner tbs whole dsv