The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-08
CHAPTER VI.
THE STRANGFIELDS.

THE SIltANpr1ELOE'
Hard by an open space Of yard, rudely
rallied, stood house Of wood; a talr-slzed
house, and strong as an oak-bullt hull.
The yard that adjoired this house was
shipwrigkt's yard, and often as the tar cal
tiron belched its smoky stencil In the midst
of it. the fumes could meyer kill the sweet
favored smells that filled the air around
from the white deals and shavings of the pine,
and the blocks Of red-hcarted oak and. teak
from India.
And now even at this stagnant season,
when the Frenchman's and the Yankees love
of small sweet pickings was so voraclous,
that the art of the British coasting trade was
a plucky coouetting with wind and haven,
even now in this yard were the skeletons OF
two vcssels--a lugger and schooner-to be
finished, equipped, and atioat by August,
under the signed contract of Michael Strang-
field. who wanted neither pen nor witness to
make his word binding.
On this evening of Cuthbcrt's impressment,
the master shipwright sat III 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.. 'Strangfield 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 design on PAPER of the hull OF the
schooncr-a skeleton yet i'll the yard-and
the other with knitting needles.
On the table, at Mr.. Strangficld's elbow,
was big horn Bible.
II believe" said he, in a slow, hard voice,
withdrawing his pipe, and speaking slightly
through his nose to retain the flavor OF the
tobacco, shat the lines here laid down be
those that'l give Mr. Wainwright the speed
he looks for" He eyed the paper earnestly.
And rs he said this he laid down the draw
ing, and looked at his wife through pair OF
thick-rimmed spectacles.
The spectaces Of those days were disfguI'e-
ments, es all persons know who are familiar
with old prints and paintings.
But neither the irresistible enlargement of
MIR. St1angfelds eyes, nor the goblin circles
through which they surveyed Mrs. Strang-
field, could deform the stern and worn
beauty Of his countenance.
Fifty-fvc his age was, and ten years added
would still have left his days behind his face
due to half-weasy expression OF ascetl-
oism, and the puckering of an over-hanging
brow, and an ucidulated droop of the under
liz. His dark hair, well laced with white,
hung in decent profusion over the white col
lar of his coat, and his attire was gray, coarse
stockings, stout lroadcloth, furnished with
dingy metal buttons, and squarc-tocd boots,
with solcs thick enough to warrant him TO
| Bkulker.
"If the n1oon wasn't so clean I should al
low thero was gallo Of wind in the sound Of
the sea-"
He yawned loudly.
"Wife, I've smoked enough, and enough is
contentment to thankful heart.
He rose to place his pipe on the mantel
shelf, and reared figure that brought his
head close to the low ceiling.
Jenny is in her bedroom, and there she
sits and sits. What ails the girl' Hast thee
noticed her, Michael'" said Mrs. Strangticld,
who, though she put her questions with
touch of fretfulness in her voice, went OH
knitting very placidly.
This was Il woman to be admired for he
pretty hands, soft eyes, and rich brown hair.
neatly Smoothed beneath full cap
Otherwise, her face disarmcd criticism 10y
its vacant, good-naturel and cheerful in
sipidity.
Straugfcld turned to look at her, and re-
sumcd his chair
You have seen NE watch her" said he.
why, therefore, do you say, Hast thee
noticed her, Michael! You are apt to speak
without care, wife. Your lips &" on" way
and your mind another
"Well, well, l have my faults
"Truly you have, my dear
1As gospel says, WHO is without sinf Un.
less it's thee, Michael; and that one should