Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-26
An zncr1sHwoMANs RoMAscg.

bathers were making merry IN the water,
descending aud ascending the long line of
planks which were laid over the pebbly
| beach from the bath house TO the waters
edge.
Down the planks walked, following
party 81 weR known English, new conner,
closely wrapped in white peignoir, with
her face almost concealed by the straw hat
tied down by strip of scarlet; at the
waters edge she threw aside the peignoir,
showing fine, tall figure, and the bathing
costume, which was made after the fashion
adopted in the place-sleeveless, and only
to the knees. 1t was evidently her first
bath at Etratat, and as she stepped into
the water, she looked around with a
prndish, half-timid look-not to be won.
dered at-upon the crowd of witnesses, for,
as the beach is very steep and pebbly and
! the tides form terraces with the rocks, the
spectators lounge within few feet of the
waters edge and friends, one swimming
in deep water, the other reclining upon the
dry shingle, can, by raising their voices
little, converse with each other.
Our ne w-comer was the last of her party
to step into the water, and, as she hest
| tated, did lot notice the huge wave ap-
preaching but Jerome, the bather, did,
and Just as the wave struck, grasped her
| in his arms as the water closed over them.
| There was a shout of laughter and scram.
bling on the beach, for the tide had turned
and the water bathed the feet of several
unprepared. The wave receded, unveiling
the pair-the English lady and the bather,
handsome group in color and modelling
Jerome, tall, well-built Norman, with
clear-cut, large features and honest eyes,
shaded by the sailors beret, resembling the
Scotchman's bonnet, and wearing red
flannel shirt and black pants that, being
soaked, showed the modelling of his athletic
figure. He held my lady like child across
his arms hers were round his neck, and
her white feet, incased in pretty canvas
shoes, hanging down close together, were
pretty finish to the composition.
This all happened years ago, and Miss
Graham fingered in the village after most
OF the summer guests had departed, being
amongst the last bathers, and forming one
of the small group which still dined at the
end of the hotel table, that had been so
crowded only few weeks before.
She fingered until the herring fishing be-
gan. One morning when l had with much
effort, prom pied by curiosity, crawled out
of a warm bed just before daylight to see
the boats return, / found her on the beach
before me amongst the fishwives, who did
rot seem to think it strange that an Eng.
lish lady should be eccentric.
She was warmly dressed, and wore a
beret, which, although tied down with
veil, gave her something OF 4 sailor-like ap-
pearance not out of keeping with the place.
This morning Jerone's boat was nearest
me, or perhaps it was because Miss Graham
was nearest Jerome's boat, that | happened
to be there, and when remarked to her on
the manly appearance of jerome, and added
that there was a tradition that the inhab-
itants of those parts were descended from
the Danish Kings, was l surprised at the
warmth of her acquiescence in what had
only said for the sake of making converse
ton, and more so when saw tie smile of
recognition that passed between the two!
Jerome was a "master fisherman" he
owned his boat, was Captain, and had the
lions share of the profits. And as he
stood there, his broad back braced against
the boat, dressed in a brown beret, woven
Jersey and leather boots up to his thighs,
was every inch man, and l could imagine
him playing any heroic part except the one
he was acting-that of Romeo.
How it came about l never knew, al
though / heard several versions of the
story but they married. Yes, an English
lady married Normandy fisherman. She
was fiue-looking, young, rich, and more
| than ordinarily agreeable and intelligent.
He was, in the language of his comrades,
sun beat male, good fellow, honored by
his confreres for his frankness in speech and
for his extraordinary strength. He had
full, rich voice, richer, perhaps, as he had
pure Normandy patois.
The wedding day was a holiday in
Etretat not boat went out, but all were
! hauled upon the beach, and decorated with
| flags the church was crowded all wished
to shake hands with the bride and groom,
and set up hearty shout as tho started
on the journey in carriage from the
church steps.
They returned to Etretat and built
cottage by the sea" the prettiest enc of
| the group to the north of the Casino, And
here they seemed very happy, and if the
! bride ever regretted her own relatives, she
mad enough of his TO console her, for her
husband was related to half the village
Do you want the end of this story? 1t
is short? During the first year Of this
strangely assorted couples life, Monsieur,
wishing to adopt the manners of his new
| posltlon, went oil hunting with party OF
! gentlemen, and was wounded by the acct
dental discharge of his gun, and died
shortly afterward. His widow still mourns
his loss, comes every summer to the pretty
but lonely cottage, and heads the list of
village charities.
All the fishermen speak Of him as I'm
| bon garcon, and would be very much sur
| pr;sed and perhaps show resentment if one
should suggest that it was strange affair.
have not given with this history the
real names of the lovers. You will find
the true ones on the window in the church
at Euetat, the third on the right. 1t rep.
resents the Virgin with the child in her
arms, but on this St. Siuveur's Day
strangely reminded me of the first time l
saw Jerome and Miss Emily.
CHARLES TOWNSEND, of Sedslia, No., had
rheumatism of the worst kind A sea trip