The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-12-23
A FISHEGRMAN'S STORY.

n bEisM ANS STORY.
The part Of the country from which |
hail was about us wild as this.
No ships ever put in there. for PEN
gethlyn was but fishing hamlet.
Nevertheless, many storm-tossed vessel
had matte for the coast, hoping to find
a safe haven, but finding shipwreck in
stead.
1t had been there many years when |.
a yOunGster. first started in partnership
with Owen Penley as fishers. We had
begun life rs it were together, for we
We're about the same age. Together as
lads we had helped the fishers 10 land
their fish and dry their nets; together
we had gone out in our fathers boats
to fish ourselves: and together we made
a plan to save all the money we could
and buy Il boat of our own.
Both of us believed there wasn't a
secret the other didn't share; yet each
had one close locked in his own breast
a secret that incited lis to toll night
and day TO purchase the boat, which
would make us sOmebodics with the
rest.
But the truth was, we only desired to
be of consequence to one, and, unfor-
tunatciy, it was the same one-Jessie
Redburn, the only child OF old Jack
Redburn, the most welI-to-do fisherman
in all Pengethlyn.
Didn't Owen and / work! A rough
sea didn't scare us. We were the earliest
out and the soonest home, always with
a good supply; and finally, us proud as
if we We're captains of Il three-deck er,
e Il
tight smack of our own.
We'd had The boat nearly a month,
when one morning, coming down to the
beach. | found Jessie seeing her father
Oft in his smack. He wanted fresh sails,
also new rigging, and was going to q
shipwrights at the seaport three miles
along the coast.
''Shall lend you hand. Mr. Red
burn?'' asked.
No. iad no thank ye." he answer
ed. You'd Il hari nights work of it,
| hear"
Pretty stif," l rejoined; "but we
made good hauls."
''lf you stay gossiping here, daddy,
you'll never be nome To dinner" said
Jessie
lie waved bis hand, and she stood
using her hand as shade from the
sunlight, watching him round the head
land.
Never had l thought her so pretty.
Clearing my throat nervOusly, | said:
81 wish was YOUR father, Jessie"
What! wrinkles, gray hair. and allP"
she laughed. .Gracious!-why?"
'Becnuse it must be so pleasant when
starting fishing to have some one to see
you oil. and to know somebody's wait
ing for YOU at home. and keeping the
fire bright Tor your return"
''lhen," she replied, why don't you
get some oue?"
Because" | rejoinei. aware that my
voice trembled. "the one | want, the
only one I'd ever have, wouldn't have
me. I'd be like your father, Jessie,
wrinkles. gray hair and all, if she'd be
my wife.
81 don't think that would make her
like you any better" she laughed, but
eryously.
You should know better than any
one. asked her this very moment. D,
Jessier'-and slipped my arm round
her waist don't you know that mean
yourself?
Won't you answer me, Jessie?"
whispered. Think how painful is my
suspense!'
She turned, then looked up a moment,
then down again, as she murmured. Il
i thought. Amos, you knew all along
that | loved YOU"
In mr. JOY can't recollect what an
swered. but caught her in my arms
and kissed her. could have sung and
danced, was so happy. L was aroused
by my partners voice.
I'm oil, Amos. to the town." he call
ell. ITO add more grIst to the mill. Ha!
ha! Snail be back i'll time TO Start to-
night
''AlI right" ! answered; II will wait. "
Owen PGulcy in build would have
made two of me. lie was broadly set
could with ease hold tlller steady in a
rough sea, when another man had to
strain every nerve. He was dark, good
looking, with Il square forehead, crown
ed by a mass of black hair. His eyes
were black and piercing, his brows al
most met-they say that indicates vio-
lent temper. 1t was right in Owen s
case. He kept it wisely under control;
but had seen one or two terrible out
bursts when some fishers had by acci-
dent foulcd our nets with their boat.
1t wanted rather over half an hour
TO our starting that night when Owen
knocked ut my door
"Iyc come back" he said, looking
in. IN be down on the beach III
time. You sec to the boat, Amos, old
fellow"
noticed he appeared in remarkably
high spirits, and the thought came into
my head that he had been taking an
extra glass.
Taking my hat | quilted the cottage
As did So | heard Owens voice troll
ling out Il song.
Il never saw him so merry, | said tC
myself. Il fear that extra glass has ex
cited him"
Owens high spirits had not lessened
when he joined me; and when we were
flyin" over. the swelling pillows | jest
inglv told him his mirth would frighteI
the fish away
But indeed my mirth was little less
than his; and we were more like two
schoolboys than practical fishermen
when we cast our nets. As we did 81
the moon sailed from behind cloud
spreading over the waters a silvery
light.
III I'm mad, Amos. XQR're insane,