The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-10-18
A MAIDEN FAIR.
BY CHARLES GIBHON
CHAPTER |.
A FRESH BREEZE.


rrcy old houses, with their red ana brown
roofs, looking out on the harJor would also
have appeared dull and dirty but for thelr
picturesauely irregular gables and heights.
Then the busy figures OF Ile fishwlyes IN
their bright-colored pcttcoatS and short
gowns" dong jackets the Iounglng groups
of the fishermen, and, above all the hustle
m the harbOr and on its walls which pro-
iected out into the Forth, gave life to the
scene in harmony with the strong breeze
and the leaping waters.
Out on the farthest point OF the grey walls
group Of men and women, with the spray
flashing over them and the keen wind biting
Their cheeks, stood watching a smack which
WIS lacking to make the port.
"Will she win in think you" asks one.
safe enough-Bob Ross is steering" con-
fdently answers a little weather-wizened-
faced old man, by name Dick Baxter
Bob Ross had seen smack capsize and
with five trusty comrades had put of to the
rescue. .......
1T was daftllke thing for Bob to think
he could be out in time to help them.'
At was worth trying" said Baxter drily.
Suddenly the PROV of the boat is turned
towards the opening in the walls and comes
down goes the sail, and boat and men are
safe in haven.
There was no cheer although brave work
had been done; but an eager inspection or
the boat to see who was In II.
They haze gotten them a but JOCK Tam
SON" said Baxter in mlttcr-Of-fact tone,
the circumstance being Of too ordinary
nature to call for much feeling; ''pur sowI,
b. gaen.
MY man, my man." cried woman rush
ing down the steps to the boat, "whar'S he?'
There was no answer and the woman un-
dcrstood She bowed her head, covered her
face with her hands and was silent. Then
couple OF burly women, with broad shout
d RS and muscular hands, took each an arm
Of the mourner.
Come ava hame, Jeanne, said one, quiet
Is. and the voice was tender although the
notes were harsh-'ye'll he tier there"
And they led the widow home.
Bob Ross was the first out OF the boat,
helping one Of the three men who had been
saved to land. The others followed, and
were first assisted to a much-needed dram
and then to their houses. The crew pro-
ceeded TO the inn, accompanied by num-
Der of friends eager TO obtain more details
OF the rescue than had been given in the
hurried answers to the crowd in the haven.
Ross did not accompany them. lie gave
his stalwart frame a shake, like huge
Newfoundland dog after coming out OF the
water, and that cOntentel him. He was a
man Of about thirty, a handsome fellow,
tall and sinewy, dressed in pilot jacket,
ard boots over his trousers.
His face was tanned by exposure to the
weather, the features good, and the clear
grey eyes which looked straight at any man
bespoke an honest, open, and fearless ma
ture. He had begun life in his fathers fish
lng smack; but whilst always ready to do
his duty in the boat, he had continued to
attend school more than the other lads OF
the village, and to make more of what he
learned there The dominic took an inter
es.in him and helped him to learn nayiga-
ton as far a. 1t was in that worthy mans
power to do II. But his real knowledge was
gained by practical experience in his faith.
ers smack. 81, by tn, time he was twenty
two he was said to know the road from
Newhaven to John o Groat's-ay, or from
Newhaven to Yarmouth b tier than any
pilot n Lpith. II obtained his license and
became a recognized pilot He soon earned
Il II III Itpuldl.UU is llu7l!f NtFNNls dllo
skilul man. But he still retained his In
tcrest in the smack, and when occasion per.
mittad went out to the fishing with as much
glcc as of old.
After he had seen the rescued mon safe
I'm Their homes, he turned on the way to his
own. Dick b Xtcr met HIM. He was 0
fayor,te of Dicks, and that was all honor;
Tor Dick was 4 person Of importance In the
village. An accident thirty years ago had
disabled him from following his craft as
fisherman; bu he cked out living by do
ing odd jobs at the harbor and by the tips
he Obtained from sightseers for information
about the place and people. This he gave
with the air OF proprietor showing his place
to his guests. Amongst tisherfolk he OBJ
tanned the reputation of being wise man.
He was pawky one, giving advice In o
slow, learned way that impressed the simple
although clever people. He pronounced as
anthorItatiyely on the position OF current
politics as on religious affairs and the
weather. In short he was an authority In
the land Notwithstanding the chaif which
re had sometimes to endure from the young
or men.
In his scaly old blue jersey and cordoroy
trousers, and with his thin brown wizened
face, he was always at his post and knew
eyerybody's affairs.
II was on the look-oot for you, Bob. Hoo
did Won manage? 1t was wcel done anyway"
1--WE were just in time-poor Thomson
had gone and the other three were just drop
ping off the keel. But you see We got them,
and that's all"
"Ay, but it was weel done, and there'll
be paragraph in the Scotsman about you
the-morn."
well, it'll do nae harm, answered Ross
Ian hing
rs that a. you think OF? Man, I'd gle
onythng to haze them speak ABBOTT me in
print! But be that as I may, wha do you
think is here"
"A lout oof folk"
"Jist that, jist that; but was thinking
you would like TO ken that Jcems" (pro-
nounced with the short) sis here"
To see his mother | suppose, and get
some more OF her Her.
"JSt that an speaking that fine English
could harnlyunderStau' him. But thought
you would Ike to ken, for he's come TO see
80 ne ane fOrbye his mither."
That WAS what Mol R,Vt.r had d. nm