Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-11-11
A STORMY WOOING.

AdllOu al InS oSSDSo "h4Sh "SAS NSAAS
enacted at the vessels side.
He was second mate of the Duchesse,
and this was his first voyage ON her.
The steamer, as he had seen when a DAY
out of port, was unseaworthy, and the
owners had put her in charge of an in
competent captain and an insubordinate
crew had been shipped.
A storm had come up, OFT the jersey
coast, and the captain had from the first
shown either ignorance of willful disre-
gard of danger, in heading directly for
land, when, with plenty of sea room, he
might have run before the gale to the
southwark.
VanAnden did not know what he after
wards learned, that the Duchesse was in
sured tor more than her value; but he
did know that the captain was acting un-
wisely.
He veutured to demonstrate, but
Capital Butler replied with brutal
oath, and an aamonition to ''mind
his own business that silenced Van
Anden.
He devoted himself 20 keeping the crew
at work properly, and feeling tree from
responsibility, watched the approaching
danger with clear conscience but hea-
Wy heart.
There were eleven passengers on board,
three of whom " ere ladies, and he trem-
bled for their safety.
For himself he did not care much.
He had little to tie him to life: and al
though he was not romantic and had no
foolish desire for death. yet he had
schooled himself to expect 1t at any
time in the discharge of his duties as
sailor.
And now it looked as though death
was staring HIM in the face. The steamer
had sprung leak, the men had aban-
doned the pumps and there were breakers
ahead
At this juncture Captain Butler showed
the white feather. Careless of his pas
sengers, he had called the crew to the
fong boat, and had given orders to
launch it.
It seemed madness to get into small
boat in such sea, but 1t was equally
dangerous to stay on the steamer, and the
crew gathered around him, Wild with
selfish terror. In moment the boat was
loosened from its fastenings and the
cowardly captain was the first to jump
into her. Enough of the crew to fill the
boat followed him, and instantly pushed
away, leaving the steamer to her tate,
and going to meet an almost equally
certnin death.
Van Anden stood with sheer on his
lip, wetching the proceedings. He could
although there had been little discipline
e. h. bal
just passed. But now the captain had
deserted the ship, and the command
devolved upon the first officer, whom he
knew to be brave man, although not a
slzi1lful seaman.
sWhere is MIR. Dyer9" he shouted 10 a
sailor who was left behind in the rush
that was made for the long-boat.
washed overheard, SIR" said the
man.
The command then devolved upon him.
He looked araund with fresh sense of
responsibility. There was yet one chance
of saving the passengers, and one OF
these passengers was woman he would
have died to save, even under other
circumstances.
This was Mary Dantorth. She was a
magnificent beauty, and, as Van Anden
had long known by report, was an in
dependent woman, living her life in
proud defiance of Mrs. Grundy, and re-
lying SUCCESSFULLY on her unsnlIied name
and immense fortune to keep scandal at
distance.
She was fond of travelling, and trav-
eled great deal alone.
She stood now apart little from the
rest of the passengers, her proud head
lifted as if in defiance of fate, looking
death in the face without tremor.
Van Anden had fallen in love with he1
the first time he had ever seen her, which
was on this voyage.
She had looked at him once or twice
with admiration for his manly beauty
but he had not even spoken to her, an6
he did not suppose that she knew Of his
existence.
Yet he loved her, although it was the
kind of love that poet gives to a sta1
that he knows is out of his reach.
'All this passed through his mind a
he stood locking at the captains deser,
ton, and he saw his own scorn reflected
in her eyes.
Then he began calculating the chances
The steamer, he knew, would sink Ii {
few minutes more.
There were eight men of the crew lief
on deck, and among them three of TIT
best sailors that had shipped. The pas
sengers were all on deck gathered in
group.
Van Anden looked around to see j
there were any boats fit for service. On
ly one remained.
"Stand by to lower the yawl!" shouted
he, in a voice that rose above the storm.
The three good men answered in ont
breath, "Aye, aye, sirp' and jumped t.
the side of the vessel. They recognized
voice of authority.
The other five, melted by their exam
pie. followed. Van Anden was there al
soon as the rest, and turning to one of tn,
sailors he shouted:
"Fetch life-preservers for the passen
gersl'
The man demurred.
s'To-wi:h the passengers" b,
answered; "let's save ourselvesl"
Without an instants hesitation, Val
Anden knocked him flat on the deck.
Selling a Delaying pin, he stood OF
the defensive for an instant, not know
ing how the others would act.
"Pm in command now" said he, s'ant
you've got to obey orders"
Then turning to man he knew h
could rely on, he said: "Go and fetcl
sfhe life -preservers.
They were soon brought, and first see
ing that each passenger was provides
with one, Van Anden had the yawl low
cred.
He knew that the boat ought not i
have fifteen passengers, and there wer
twenty souls In all on the steamer.
~ Turning to the passengers, he said:
zone at time, now. Ladies first
And himself experimenting, he say
them lowered to the yawl which the tw
sailors below were barely able to kee
in position.
He put Miss Danforth into the yav