The Mineral argus., 1885-05-28


and, partly, because she was bit OF
Tartar, and would he sure to he down
pretty heavily ON him for taking 80
much notice Of strange, stowaway
child. when he was always complain
ing about the expense and worry OF
his own.
So this question as to the disposition
Of Mary Jane Johnsworth vexed Cap
tain Bartlett all the next day, and un-
till next evening, when Holyhead
Light was sighted, and his attention
was directed to ether matters.
Little Mary Jane was in . state OF
great excitement at the approach to her
land, now running to one side of the
deck, now to the other, then scuttling
up the companion ladder to the bridge,
then darling into the galley to poster
Marcus with all sorts of questions. 70
which the faithful negro had to invent
answers, then dashing away into the
foc'sle until it was dark and she could
see no more.
At midnight. the "Picayune," Cap
tain Bartlett. was safe alongside the
dock quay, and the Captain himself, af-
ter o b0thering day, was ut liberty to
turn in.
Poor little kidd" he said as he ca
ressed Mary James fair hair; land
what's to become Of you? I'm real sOr-
~ that the voyage il finished, rs I've
got uncommon fond O. you. Mary Jane,
an eff hadn't kids of my own, I'd like
to change your name to Mary Jane
Bartlett, and turn Won out real lady,"
us your home here 2" asked the child,
looking mp in the Captains face with an
artless gaze.
"Yes, my sugar stick" replied the
Captain. "Nummer - Providence
Road, that's where the Missis is located,
but she's agoin' back to New York. she
is, next trip. But look yer, I reckon
you're bit tired; You go an turn in an
to-morrer well see what's to be DONE"
So he kissed the child rs he babe her
goodnight and she battered eli singing
as il il were midday.
poor little kid poor little kid !" solil-
oquized the Captain when she had gone,
II should like to have ten minutes
with them brutes as have sent her away
like this, and that's a factv'
Early next morning, the Captain
sent hand ashore to find out il the
"Cockney" had by chance arrived dur
ing the night.
"Not that reckon she's more'n half
way across the pond" he said to him
self; "but Brandy's mp to lodges, he is,
although he is such derned fool"
The reply came that the "Cockney"
had not arrived.
"Wall, then, 1 reckon I needn't hur-
~ ashore" said Bartlett.
He was in the saloon going over his
papers with the customs officers, when
the chief mate appeared at the door
with broad grin in his face.
"Thar's gentleman an lady come
aboard and wants to see you, SIR"
"a gentleman an q lady!" repeated
are they TEN 'em-ro. show ON in
say, Mr.. Slope, is the kid up yet?"
dunno, SIR, I'll see," replied the Of.
fcer. and disappeared. The skipper
bent over his papers again, but was
disturbed by the entrance of the Wis.
itors. He looked up and beheld Cap
tain Brandy and Mrs. Bartlett.
Had bombshell exploded on deck,
it could not have produced a greater eff
feet on Captain Bartlett than did this
apparition.
He jumped up, mouth and eyes wide
open, utterly unable for some seconds
to utter word.
"Mornin', BARTLETT" said Captain
Brandy.
"Wher the-How tho-Almighty
sakes Great Scott" was all the
American could calculate. He took no
notice even of his spouse.
"The 'Cockhey' amt in port!" he al
most screamed at last.
mo, but her skipper is" said Bran
dy, IAN he's brought this yer lovely la
dy to bear witness that Hosea f. Bart
lett, master of the ship 'Picayune.' be-
longing to the port of New York, owes
him one hundred pounds sterlin'.
say Bartlett, your salt-horse amt by no
means up to what 1t oughter he, an as
for your Exshaw"-
"What the tarnal do you know about
my salt-hors an my whisky?' roared
the American.
"Well, replied Captain Brandy, econ
siderin' as how I've been Twin on it for
ten days, oughter lie judge"
you've been Twin on my salt-horse
an whisky for ten days." exclaimed
Bartlett, more and more amazed.
"Yes," said Brandy; "hand us the
hundred pound"
Bartlett stared about him as a man
newly awakened from sleep; then he
burst out into roar Of laughter which
shook the little saloon, aud which was
the signal for everyone else. Custom
house officers, Mrs. Bartlett and all, to
join, and for fully five minutes the unit.
ed outlaw lasted.
Brandy" said Bartlett when he had