News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-03-23

| come OF II all.
We were soon out at sea, and, as we
approached the vessel, I saw that
Wonderment had not been mistaken.
Her name, the ''Coppering Pet" was
painted in fresh white letters on hel
bow. AS she lay to, before moderate
breeze, we were soon on board.
When we reached the deck Wonder.
ment asked for the Captain.
"All right, sir, said a sailor, "she is
coming"
She! The old man and I opened
wide our eyes, but none too wide fo1
the sight we saw. Up short compan-
ion-way there stepped a young woman,
who with quick and sea-trained step
came toward US. She wore close-ftting
dress of blue and broad straw hat.
''Why, if this isn't Wonderment -
/ she exclaimed, advancing toward the
old man with outstretched hands.
"I'm real glad to see you, Polly"
said Wonderment, "you're looking
finely. And how's-"
"He is not living" said Polly, very
quietly. 81 am so glad you came on
board. This Is your friend, I sup
pose"
Wonderment introduced me.
"Come into the cabin" she said,
"and I will tell you everything that has
happened"
When some refreshments had been
brought, Polly told her story. 1t was
not very long one. Her husband had
died about three years after they first
sailed away in the Coppering Pet This
happened when they were in the Japa-
nese seas. She would have sold the YES
sci and returned to her home, but she
found it was not easy to make suitable
arrangements of this kind; and then,
before any plan could be carried out,
she heard of her fathers death. When
she recovered from this new shock she
did not want to come home, and if she
sold her vessel, she felt that she had no
abiding place in this world, so she de-
termined to keep the Coppering Pet,
the only home she had and having
competent mate and good crew, and
being accompanied by middle-aged
Scotchwoman, who acted as both maid
and companion, she had sailed and
traded in those Eastern waters until
few months ago, when she determined
to see once more her native town.
While Captain Polly was speaking 1
had watched her closely. She was really
very handsome woman, and her face
was but little sunburned.
"And now," she said, 81 want to hear
everything that has happened here"
Thereupon Wonderment told the story
of Captain Mereen's death and the singu-
lar disposition of his worldly subs tance. |
''This is a strange story" said Cap
tain Polly, "and must think it over
before say anything about it. And
low, Wondermept, did you come out to
AXE Pet over the bar ?"
81 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 backs ard and for'ard as often
as any man ivin'. If any of the regular
pilots had been in town, suppose
they'd a come, but they're away, and
here I stand ready for the job"
"All right" said Captain Polly; 'you
shall take US over"
was not at all satisfied with this de-
cision. When he came aboard, Won
derment had supposed that Captain
Alba was in command, and knowing the
channel he would scarcely need pilot.
I took Captain Polly aside and explained
the matter to her.
cit will soon be high water" she |
said, "and 1 don't want to wait outside |
twelve hours more. There is nobody |
else here, and am certain old Wonder
ment would not offer to pilot us if he
did not know the bar. He can't help |
knowing it; he has lived here all his
life."
1t was not long after this that the
sails were set to fresh southeastern |
breeze, and we were steadily moving |
along toward the narrow entrance to the |
harbor. Wonderment stood leaning |
against the foremast, his feet wide apart,
and his frequent orders were passed to
the man at the wheel. We had now
almost reached the bar. On either side |
of US stretched long expanse of sandy |
beach, with a gentle surf rolling up
on it.
"Hard "a port? Starbu'd Hard
starbu'd! Starbu'd D-p shouted
And there was CRATE |
and grind, and the vessel stopped
We were aground on the north beach,"
The next day after this was sitting
with Polly in the parlor of little house
in the town where she had taken
lodgings. Captain Polly was much
troubled, but kept up a good heart and
blamed only herself for trusting Wonder
ment.
felt anxious to help her in every
way that / could, and I was now dis
cussing 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 inhabitants of the town to get her |
off, but all were unavailing. 1t had |
been decided to send to more northern |
port for a steamtug, and in the mean
time Polly and her woman Sarah had
taken lodgings in the town.
Two weeks elapsed, during which the
Pet remained firm upon the
beach. The tug had arrived, but it had
been found too small to move the ves-
sci. Another and larger one had been
sent for, and in the meantime the cargo
was being taken out and removed to the |
town in lighters.
During this time saw much of Polly, !
and became indeed her most trusted ad- !
wiser. She had no relatives in the |
town, and turned to me as if 1 had been
an old friend. To me she was a very
charming woman, and 1 soon became
much more than q friend.
One day told her my love. Polly
listened to me very quietly.
''I am glad you told me this" she
said, ''after you knew how poor L am,
but cannot consent to drag you down."