St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-15
A SHIP OF'49.
A ROMANCE OF CALIFORNIA.
BY BRET HARTE.
IN FIVE PARTS-PART ".
WRITTEN FOR THE ST. PAUL GLOBE.


CHAPTER VI.
The heavy tread of Abner Mott echoed in
the passage. Confused and embarrassed,
Renshaw remained standing at the door that
had closed upon Rosey as her father entered
the cabin. Providence, which always fos-
tered Mr.. MOTIFS characteristic misconcep-
lions, left that perspicacious parent but one
Interpretation of the situation. Rosey bad
evidently just informed MIR. Renshaw that
she loved another
81 was just saying goodbye to Miss Mott, "
said Renshaw. hastily regaining his compos-
ure with an effort. 81 am going to Sacra-
mento tonight and will not return. ~
sin course, in course" interrupted Mott,
soothirgly; ''that's wot you say now, and
that's wot you allow to do. That's what they
allus do.''
81 mean," said Renshaw, reddening at
what ne conceived to be an alusion to the
absconding propensities of Motifs previous
tenants, Il mean that you shall keep the ad-
vance to cover any loss you might suffer
through my giving up the rooms"
"Certingly." said Mott, laying mis- hand
with large sympathy on Renshaw's Shout
der; ''but we'll drop that just now. We
won't swap bosses in the middle of the river.
Wen square up accounts in your room," he
added, raising his voice that Rosey might
overhear him, after preliminary wink at
the young man. eyes, sir; Wen just square
up and settle in there. Come along, Mr..
Renshaw." Pushing him with paternal gen.
tleness from the cabin, with his hand still
upon his shoulder, he followed him into the
passage. Half annoyed at his fam iliarity,
yet not altogether displeased by this illustra-
ton of Rosey's belief of his preference,
Renshaw wonderingly accompanied him.
Mott closed the door, and pushing the young
man into chair, seated himself at the table
opposite. ''It's just as well that Rosey
reckons that you and me is settlin' our ac-
counts,' he began cunningly, land mebbe
it's just ez well ez she should reckon you're
goin' away"
''But am going" interrupted Renshaw
impatiently. Il leave tonight"
Surely, surely" said Mott gently, ''that's
wot you kalkilate to do; that's just nat'ral in
young Teller. That's about what I reckon
I'd hev done to her mother if anythin' like
this he'd ever cropped up, which it didn't
Not but what Almira Jane had young fellers
enough round her, but 'cept ole Judge
Peter, ez was famed in the war of 1912, there
amt no similarity ez kin see," he added
musingly.
81 am afraid that can't see any similar
ity either, Mr.. Nott,' said Renshaw, strug-
Cling between a dawning sense of some i'm
pending absurdity and his growing passion
for Rosey. 'For heavens sake, speak out,
if you've got anything to say"
Mr. Mott leaned forward, and placed his
hand on the young mans shoulder. ''That's
it. That's wbss l sed to myself when l seed
how things were pintin'.' Speak out SEE
l. 'Abner! Speak out if you've got any,
thing to say. You kin trust this yer Mr..
Reushaw. He amt the kind Of man to
creep into the bosom of a mans ship for
purposes Of his own. He amt a man that
would hunt round until he discovered poor
mans treasure, and then try to rob -
''StopP' said Renshaw, with set face and
darkeuing eyes "What treasured what man
are you speaking ofP'
"Why Rosey and Mr.. Ferrers," returned
Mr.. Mott, simply.
Renshaw sank into his seat again. But
the expression of relief which here passed
swiftly over his face gave way to one of un i.
easy interest as Mott went on,
"P'r'aps its a little highfalutin' talkin' Of
ROsey ez a treasure. But, considerin' Mr..
Renshaw, ez she's the only prop'iy I've kept
by me for seventeen years eZ hez paid nter
est and increased in valooe. it amt sayin'
too much to call her so. And ez Ferrers
knows this, he oughter been content with
rf,,1 To-,
goin' for Rosey. Pr'aps yer surprised at
hearing me speak o. my own flesh and blood
81 If was takin' boss trade, but you and me
is business men, Mr.. Renshaw, aud we dis
cusscs ez such. We amt goin' to slosh round
and slop over in poetry and sentiment" con-
tinued Mott with a tremulous voice, and a hand
that slightly shook on Renshaw's shoulder.
'We amt goin' to git up and sing, Thou'st
larned TO love another thou'st broken every
VOW we've parted from each other and my
bosom's lonely now oh is it well to
sever such hearts as ourn for ever
kin l forget thee never farewell fare
well farewell Ye never happen'd
to hear jim Baker sing that at the moosic
hall on Dupont street, Mr.. Reushaw,r con-
tnued Mr.. Mott enthusiastically, when he
had recovered from that complete absence of
punctuation which alone suggested verse to
his intellect. "He sorter struck water down
here indicating his heart, every time"
But what has Miss Mott to do with NJ de
Ferreresi' asked Renshaw with faint
smile
Mr.. Mott regarded him with dumb, round,
astonshed eyes. "Hezn't she told yeri'
Certainly not"
"And she didn't let on anythin' about
him ~ he continued, feebly.
''She said she'd like to know WHERE
He stopped, with the reflection that he was
betaying her condolences.
\ dim foreboding Of some new form of
deceit to which even the man before him
was consenting party, almost paralyzed
Motifs faculties. Then she didn't tell yer
that she and Ferrers was sparkin' and
keepin' kimpany together; that she aud him
was engaged, and was kalkiatin' 10 run
away to turin parts; that she cottoned to
him more than to the ship or her fatherl'
"She certainly dill not, and shouldn't
believe IT," said Renshaw, quickly.
Mott smiled. lie was amused; he astutely
recognized the usual trustfuluess of love and
youth There was clearly no deceit here I
Renshaws attentive eyes saw the smile, and
his brow darkencd.
Il like to hear yer say that, Mr. Rem shaw, s"
said Mott, land it's no more than Roseg de-
serves.rz IT'S suthing onuat'ral aud spell-like
that's come over her through Ferrers. Ii
amt my Rosev. But it's gospel truth,
whether she's bewitched or not; wheth n it's
them damn fool stories she rrads-aud it's
like e. not he's just the kind o snipe to
write EN- hisself, and sorter advertise his
self, dou't yer see-She's alus stuck up for
him. They've had caudesent interviews,
and when taxed him with il he ez much ez
allowed II was so, aud reekoned he must
leave so ~ he could run her of YOU know -
kinder stanrede her with honor Them's
bgs vprv vroris -