Daily Republican., 1883-07-21
THE CAPTAINS AMULET.
BY ALFRED YOUNGE.

July evening.
The object of this unwonted honoI
resided solely in the hope Of decoyinl
some few of the more adventurOu,
I" Pine Coves" to invest a couple of dol
lars and 70 for a trip by moonlight uI
through the rapids and return the fol
loving day.
Every living soul in Pine Cove wa.
talking of going, from the minister
down to the blarksmith's apprentice
but when the Fairy Dell actually drew
up to the little wharf, no one stepped on
board out Of the crowd of gaping rus
tics ssve Meg Anderson and her aunt
Miss Anne Maria Jones.
Meg was pretty, willful little witch
and had sunccpetled in inducing her par
simonious father to let her go Oh the
excursion by exactly the same bewitch-
ing wiles that always carried the day
for her with the old farmer Whenever
her mind was set upon attaining any
particular object.
At first her father had firmly set his
face against the escapade, which he
was pleased TO term "a silly girls
vanity"
con, pa," pleaded pretty Meg, "I
do so want to see something OF the
world
She twined her dimpIed arms abuu:
his sturdy neck, and be began to
weaken.
"You couldn't go alone, child " he
objected. .,.
DEAR
&C. suppose you think I'd let you 60
with Gertie Brown, or some chit nc
wiser than yourself"
"No, not"
"Who could you 20 with, then ?"
Why, with Aunt Anne, of course. -
The farmer burst into roar Of laugh
ter that fairly made " Rover" prick up
his ears and bristle.
"Anne Maria on an excursion % he
cried.
"And why not, if you please, brother
John?' demanded the spinster, with
some asperity, laying down her knitting
and thrusting her spectacles up among
the sparse gray locks upon her wrinkled
forehead.
"Do you mean to say you'd go, Anne
Maria 2" gasped the astonished farm
er.
"Well," snapped the o Id maid. 81
don't consider my travelling days over
by good deal !"
"Of course they are not, you dear
thing, exclaimed Meg, transferring her
to the prim, attenuated form
of the spinster.
Farmer Anderson took up his hat and
went out to milk the cows, saying
as he went
You may both 60 and I'll foot the
bills, provided you don't bring home
two good. fol-, nothing husbands for me
to take care Of"
SO it was all settled, and Meg was
in transport of excitement and de-
light.
For the next two days Meg and Miss
Jones were the envy of all Pine Cove
Meg's cup of bliss was full to over.
flowing except when in the evening,
Rufus Allen came over and tried to
dissuade her from going.
They were engaged to be married, ,and
Rufus felt he had a right to tell her he
did not consider it proper for her to go
away among strangers without him.
" Why don't you 60, then 2" was
Meg's pert retOrt.
Because can't"
Why not %
We're in the midst of haying."
" Well, if yon think more of your
haying than you do of me, l can't help
And there the matter was dropped.
On the following afternoon all Pine
Cove tioCked down to the wharf as the
Fairy Dell hOveI in view, with flags
flying, crowds upon her decks and a
brass band playing gay snatches from
the latest comic opera.
Dear me, what an excitement there
was as pretty Meg came tripping down
the wharf in new gown of blue lLus-
lin with pink ribbons and shade hat
with pink roses, Miss Anne
Maria Jones by her side, stiff in the
black silk dress she had worn to
church and funerals for the last twenty
years.
The Pine Covies fairly cheered in
heir excitement AS the pair mounted
he gang-plank, while impulsive Gertie
Brown was affected to tears.
The Captain of the Fairy Dell, a.
Young, handsome fellow, helped them
N board and held Meg's hand until
she was forced to glance at him and
blush. There was no doubt about it,
he trip was a highly enjoyable one.
went as well as marriage
Dell until after SUI per.
BY that time the moon had risen
,loriously and the boat had entered the
Rapids.
Suddenly Miss Jones declared her
elf dreadfully sea sick and averred
hat she must lie down or she would
make a show of herself.
Very much annoyed, Meg assisted
he spinster down to their state-rOOm
md sat beside her until she lapsed into
PEACEFUL slumber, gradually ceasing to
moan:
son, why did come " Oh, if |
we're only at home in my comfortable
'ed instead Of this nasty coffin of a
,ox p
Meg then took pretty Shetland
hawl and returned to the deck.
AS she emerged into the silver moon
light, the handsome young captain
advanced and led her away
D a sequestered seat, where he male her
most comfortable and then sat down be.
ide her.
How the hours flew
Suddenly a chime of bells broke out
lpon the charmed silence of the perfect
light.
"What's that ?" exclaimed Meg.
Eight bells, replied her fascinating
avalier.
What do they mean?"
"That it is midnight"
Midnight 2"
Yes did you think it later %
Mercy, no Ibid not think it so
ate must go to my aunt"
AS she arose to depart, the gallant |
aptain detached tiny amulet, little
,old charm, from his watch chain, say
ng
" Accept this as q souvenir of one
If the most delightful evenings of my
ife !"
Map ,rcentpd the trinket with A. fut-