Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-06-13
CHAPTER VI
TIE STRANGFIELDS.


Hard by an open space of yard, rudely
rallied, stood a house of wood; fair siz,d
house, and strong as an oak built hull
The yard that adjoined this house was a
shipwright's yard, and often aS the tar cal
drun belched its smoky stencil in the midst
of it, the fumes could never kill the sweet
favored smells that filled the air around
from the white deals and shavingS Of the pine,
and the blocks Of red-hearted oak and teak
from India.
And now even at this stagnant season,
when the FrenChmans and the Yankees love
Of small sweet pickings was 50 voracious,
that the art of the British coasting trade was
a plucky coquetting with wind and haven,
even now in this yard were the skeletons of
two vessels-a lugger and schooner--to ho
finished, equippel, and ailuat 10y August,
under the signed contract of Michael Strang-
field, who wanted neither pen nor witness TO
make his word binding.
On this evening of Cuthhert's impressmcnt,
the master shipwright sat in the parlor of his
wooden home, filling the room with the mist
Of navy tobacco In this matter of the pipe
his flesh was weak
Mr. Strangfeld sat in high-backed arm
chair near the table. and opposite to him Was
his wife.
Both of them were busy; the one with his
pipe and a design on paper of the hull of the
schooner-a skeleton yet in the yard-and
the other with knitting needles
On the table, at Mr. Strangfelds elbow,
was big horn Bible
Il believe" said he, in a slow, hard voice,
Withdrawing his pipe, and Speaking slightly
through his nose TO retain the flavor of The
tol accO that the lines here laid down lie
those thatll give Mr.. Wainwright the speed
b. 'n0ks for He eyed the paper earnestly.
And as he said this he laid down the draw
il and looked at his wife through pair of
Il k-rimmed spectacles.
:.ie spectacles Of those days were d:sfgIre-
II :, as all persons know who are familiar
Old prints and paintings.
It neither the irresistible enlargement of
} Strangfeld's eyes, nor the goblin circles
Ii uugh which they surveyed Mrs. Strang-
frli could deform the stern and worn
b, auty of his countenance
Fifty five his age was, and ten years added
would still have left his days behind his face
due to a half-weary expression of ascrti-
cism, and the puCkering Of an over hanging
brow, and an acidulated droop Of the under
lip His dark hair, well laced with whit,
hung in decent profusion over the white col
lar Of his coat, and his attire was gray, cnarse
stockings, stout hroadcluth furnished with
dmgy metal buttons, and square-tOed boots,
with soles thick enough u warrant him no
skulker
4lf the moon wasn't 50 clean | should al
low there was a gale of wind in the sound Of
the sea"
He yawned loudly.
lr,.l ,,.rl, =
cOntentment to a thankful heart"
He rose to place his pipe on the mantel
shelf, and reared figure that brought his
head close 10 the low ceiling.
Jenny is in her bedroom and there she
sits and sits What ails the girl: Hast the
noticed her, Michaelf' said Mrs Strangfirll,
who, though she put her questions with a
touch Of fretfulncss in her voice, went U,i
knitting very Placidly.
This was a woman TO be admired for her
pretty hands, soft eyes, and rich brown hair.
neatly smoothed beneath full cap
Otherwise. her face disarmed criticism bv
its vacant, good-natured and cheerful in
sipidity.
Strangficld turned to look at her, and re-
sumed his chair
You have seen me watch her" said he.
noticed her, MichaelT You are apt to speak
without care, wife Your lips go one way
and your mind another"
We'll, well, have my faults"
Truly you have, my dear"
"As gospel says, Who is without sim Tn
less it's thee, Michael; and that one should
know by your readiness TO cast stones"
Mr.. StranGfeld frowned, but WIS wise
enough to hold his peace.
what ails Jenny, them continued the
mother You should know You lie "A
man of long sight. ! never could hide a
secret from thee"
Mr.. Strangteld sat for space behind his
spectacles, pondering. while his wife laid
down her needles to pass her hand over be.
hair
What should he the matter with her'" d.
manded Mr. Strangfeld, presently. Her
health is sound"
Il hope so" cried Mrs. Strangfeld, ncr
vously
mo one has hecn meddling with her heart,
o my knowlec-