The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-07-28
months ago. when she had determined


OF Capt Mereen's death and the singu.
lar disposition of his worldly substance.
"This is strange story" said Capt.
Polly, "and / must think It over before
| say anything about it. And now.
Wonderment, did you come out to take
Pet over the bar 2"
al didn't come fur that" said the
old man." inspired by the grog, "but
though I'm not pilot by trade, I've
| been over this bar back ards and for.
ards as often as any man Twin. If any
of the regular pilots had been in the town,
/ suppose they'd come, but they re-
away, and here stand ready for the
| job"
"A1l right" said Capt. Polly, "you
shall take us over.
I was not at all satisfied with this de.
cision. When he came aboard, Won.
derment had supposed that Capt. Alba
was in command, and knowing the chan-
mel he would scarcely need pilot.
took Capt. Polly aside, and explained
! the matter to her.
1t will soon be high water" she said,
"and [ don't want to wait outside twelve
hours more. There is nobody else here,
and [ am certain old Wonderment would
not offer to pilot US if he did not kno Y
the bar. He can't help knowing it he
has lived here all his life"
It was not long after this that the sails
were set to fresh southeastern breeze,
and we were steadily moving along to-
ward the narrow entrance to the harbor.
Wonderment stood leaning against the
foremost, his feet wide apart, and his
frequent orders were passed to the man
at the Wheel We had now almost
reached the bar. Ga either side of US
stretched long expanse of sandy beach,
with gentle surf rolling up on it.
Hard-a-port | Starbu'dI Hard
starbu'd D-p shouted Wonderment.
And then there was CRATE and grind,
and the vessel stopped We were
aground on the north beach.
The next day after this l was sitting
with Polly in the parlor of little house
in the town where she had taken lodg-
ings. Capt. Polly was much troubled,
but kept upa good heart and blamed only
herself for trusting Wonderment.
felt anxious to help her in every
way that [ could, and l was now discuss
ing with her what was best to be done.
The Coppering Pet was high and firm
upon the north beach. Every effort had
been made by the crew and the inhabit-
ants of the town to get her off, but all
were unavailing. It had been decided
to send to more northern port for a
steam-tug, and in the meantime Polly
and her woman Sarah had taken lodg-
ings in the town.
Two weeks elapsed, during which the
Coppering Pet remained firm upon the
beach. The tug had arrived, but it had
been found too small to move the vessel.
Another and larger one had been sent
for, and in the meantime the cargo was
being taken out and removed to tho
town in lighters.
During this time I saw much of Polly.
and became indeed her most trusted adj
wiser. She had no relatives in the town.
and turned to me as if l had been an
old friend.
One day l told her my love. Polly
listened to me very quietly. ct am glad
you told me this, she said, ''after you
knew how poor am, but cannot con-
sent to drag you down."
"Polly," cried, "this has ceased to
be question of poverty or riches. ALI
ask is this-do you love me ?"
Hooked into her eyes, and then I took
her In my arms. Tue matter was set
tied.
In the course of another week the
larger tugboat had arrived, and during
three high tides it hauled and pulled at
the stranded Pet, but was unable to
move her. Her Captain had been paid
with portion of her cargo, sold at q
sacrifice in the town, and he had gone
away.
When everything had been done, and
Polly's affairs had been placed in the
hands of responsible business man of
the town, Polly and were married.
1t was not necessary for us to stay at
this place any longer. The Pet would be
disposed of TO the best advantage. and
the crew would remain in the town I'm.
til money should come in to pay them
off,
1t was our last day in the old town.
and as we were walking along the water
front OF the town we saw little boat
approaching with man in it, rowing
violently.
It's old Wonderment," said Polly.
And we stood to await his coming. He
ran his boat ashore, and when he landed
and saw us he was SO excited that he
could scarcely speak.
"She's off, " he gasped, "the Copper
ing Pets atioat There was the highest
tide this forenoon we've had fur seven
year, and the men working on board
have got her off the beach. She's
anchored now just inside the bar"
" The Coppering Pet aAoat I" cried
Polly, grasping me by both hands.
while her eyes sparkled with delight.
Wherever we go we'll go in her :"
And go in her we did.
On lovely afternoon, late in sum-
mer, we sailed out of the harbor. Owing
to bis repeated and earnest requests,
Wonderment was with us, but this time
he did not pilot us over the bar. We
sailed, and we sailed over summer seas
and were very happy.
One beautiful moonlight evening we
we're sitting on deck, old Wonderment
near by. Well, said Polly, 81 think.
Tor poor people, we are about as happy
and Independent as anybody could be. !"
If you're poor" said the old man,
"it's your own fault. Your father left
you everythin' he was worth, and all
you had to do was to take it,"
"If he had left me anything in reg
ular way, ; sGd Polly, quietly, 81 should
have been glad to have it. But l will
never dig in his grave to see what can
iad. am glad that every temptation
of the !he kind is left far behind us.
"'Tain't so very lar behind, either, y
said Wonderment "As sou was actin
through agents, made myself your
agent in this thing, and here's the box. !"
And he dramatically arose and pointed
to small iron box on which he had
been sitting.
Polly sprang to her feet, her eyes
ablaze. Wonderment, she cried,
"throw that box overheard |"
Gail right" said the old man and
over the taffrail it went with a splash.
Breathing hard, but saying nothing,
Polly entered the cabin. Half an hour
afterward stood on deck with the old
man.