The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-03-04

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along the shore in fishing boats. After having
satisfied himself that everything was in readi-
ness for immediate action, the lieutenant set
about decorating his hut as best he could.
With halfa-dozen signal flags and some ever
green's, with the aid of couple of nimble- fin
gered blue jackets, he made the little plain
whitewashed room look quite bright and cheer
full After the midday meal, he arranged his
liquor, unpacked a welcome hamper from home,
started Jim the cook at his work, and by six
o'clock was in full uniform, awaiting the arrival
of his guests.
He had not long to wait, for as the clock struck
the hour, the Rev. Mr.. Carey and DR.. Windle ar
rived. From slight incoherency in their speech,
and more than slight aroma Of alcohol which
they introduced with them, the lieutenant di-
vined that they had been somewhat anticipating
the festivities of the evening by potations on
private scale.
"What night for run!" said the parson.
"Aye," remarked the doctor, GIVE known runs
on worse nights than this. Dye call to mind
when Porter"
Here he was interrupted by violent kick from
the parson, which did not pass unnoticed by
Charlwood. Old Van der Meulen and his daugh-
| ter were not long after in arriving The old man
was in excellent spirits and shook hands with
the doctor and the parson as if he had not seen
them for years. Dolly was beautiful Never had
the lieutenant been so fascinated with her; the
keen air had impaired bright fresh color to her
cheeks, and she was becomngy and for Tregan-
Mon, luxuriously dressed. Charlwood merely
pressed her hand, but old Van der Meulen sung
out "Salute her, man, sal pte her! Dip your col
ors; I'll warrant that although you're kings
ship and she's stranger, she'll hoist hers" So
he kissed Dolly, bashfully, as if it was for the
first time, and Dolly hoisted her bright colors
accordingly.
Two brawny tars brought in the dinner. The
little room soon rang with jest and laughter.
The parsons puns were outrageous, the doctors
yarns of old days side-splitting; old Van der
Meulen retailed some of the choicest of his varied
experiences, whilst Dolly laughed, and blushed,
and seemed thoroughly to enjoy herself When
the plum pudding had disappeared, the table
was cleared clean glasses and pipes produced,
and the chairs drawn round the fire.
"Excoose me one moment" said the old Dutch
man before he sat down, and he went out, pres
emily returning with two little casks under his
arms. Now, my vary good lewtenant dake
the liberty to offer you present This is genu-
inc right Hollands-schnapps of de first quality
You must not ask if it has paid duty. / can't
get any more, much tanks to you and your fine
fellows, but dat is no reason why you should not
try it."
So one of the casks were broached, and glasses
filled. The lieutenant arose.
Before you drink, Miss Van der Meulen and
T Ill
I'm not going to make speech but I'll simply
ask you to drink, The King, and God bless
him.
This was drunk with much enthusiasm, the
parson and doctor in particular cheering till the
tears ran down their cheeks. Even Dolly drank
her glass of claret without leaving dreg, pro-
ceeding which made her cough and caused much
merriment. Then the Dutchman gave vigor-
Gus sea-song and chorus which he had picked up
in the Southern Seas, which was none the less
effective for being delivered in broken English.
Then the Rev. Mr.. Carey made long speech
about the fair sex, and asked the gentlemen to
drink Miss Dolly Van der Meulen"
"And her husband that is to be whoever he is"
added the old Dutchman, speech which made
Dolly and Charlwood look silly and turn red,
anu cduSeu hearty DufSt vi cutHuSldSlu 1utu
the lieutenant gave old Kentish plough song,
and the doctor proposed the ieutenant's health.
So the fun went on till the clock doomed twelve,
when the doctor and the clergyman, after having
found their legs with much difficulty, declared
that it was time to CO. The lieutenant, observ-
ing that they might mistake the path over the
cliff edge for the right one, offered them an es
cort, but they sturdily refused so, with much
handshaking and renewal of good Wishes they
went out into the night.
So Dolly, the lieutenant, and the old Dutch
man were left together The first cask had been
emptied- principally by the two departed guests
and Van der Meulen broached the second, say
ing:
"Now, mine lewtenant, de oder cask was good |
but tink you will find this better. I would not
open it before those two barrels of men, for they
had drunk just enough not to know good drink
from bad. 1t is vat you call putting pearls be-
fore pigs to put good Neerwinden Schnapps
before dem." And he filled the lieutenant's |
glass to the brim "Take it off, said the old |
man, it is not strong, although it is so good"
Charlwood declined, but took good sip He |
had scarcely put the glass down before the room
swan before his eyes, the figures of Dolly and
her father seemed to reel like two indistinct dark
masses of cloud; he just saw the old Dutchman
standing up looking at him with a diabolica