St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-10-04
CAIN AND ABEL.
A Love Story.
By Rebecca Harding Ddvss.


grandson, and great grandson of Glou-
cester fishermen. From childhood he
had been destined for their calling, and
had already made more than one trip
to F'the Banks" as todd boy" Last
year he had gone as cook. Now, al
nineteen, he had sudden rise in life
Capt. Salter had accepted him as one
of the regular crew of the Harkaway to
go con shares" like any other full
fledged fisherman, and John felt that
he was man.
He packed his kit and started to
cross the harbor, in order to stroll
about the Point. Christy Muller lived
on the Point. In the sail-boat which
serves as ferry he found little Christy
going home.
John grew suddenly stiff in the joints
from his backbone to his nose. He
bowed with jerk, seated himself as
far from her as possible by the old fer
ryman, Godfrey, and talked to hin
very fast and thick, while Christy sat
at the bow watching the foamy track
of the boat through the water, now red
in the setting sun.
Yet John had long ago determined
that he would plan an accidental meet
ing with Christy before he started for
the Banks. Here was his chance, and
he was neglecting it. But when they
landed John found himself beside her,
and they walked along together
Christy was quite at her ease, and dis
posed to be very friendly with the
young fisherman.
81 heard you was going a-fshing
with Captain Salter, Mr.. Mandum,'
she said, pleasantly, as John walked
silently by her side.
eyes," he replied, with flush on
his face that was not called for by
Christy's innocent remark.
"And so you'll be off tonight, 1 sup
pose 2"
eyes"
Another pause.
Tt's good beginning" he broke
out, after clearing his throat. "Pm
goin' in now to be a fisherman. Pve
give up the idea of schoolin' Leonard
he always beats me at that. You know
he's always been head of the class, an
me-fOot. Len has always been ahead
of me, cripple and sickly as he is. l
did think of takin' up land trade, but
they all need some head for fggers,
and l have none. Lens frst-rate at
his slate. Well, he can't get ahead of
ME at sea-" with ong-drawn breath.
"You certainly have a good start.
The Harkaway is as good vessel as
sails out of the harbOr. Father said &c
today" said Christy.
John walked along in silence, glanc-
ing at her furtively now and then.
at is good beginning" said John
at last. "The crew have half the pro-
fits. If we have a good haul this run,
my share ought to be more'n hundred
dollars. I'd be sure of two or three
more runs in the Harkaway this year
if do we'll this time, and L will"
They had stopped, and stood fac
ing the harbor. His sentences came
out with gulps, as if each needed a sep
arate effort.
'I-I'm gOin' to be fisherman now;
regular. l can count on a good, steady
income"
No answer. Christy was very in
tent on brigantine that was making
it's way past the inner light to harbOr
"Tll have as good an income as most
men when they rent house and-and
put wife in it."
Christy's very neck grew rose-pink
81 must go home," she said, in scar
ed, fluttering voice. "Supper's a. most
ready"
John made no objection to her going
he followed her step or two behind
A word of encouragement was always
enough to drive John to despair. He
doubted himself now, and his prospects
seemed not so brilliant as they had
looked but a moment before.
"Of COURSE" he gasped out, awe
mayn't have good haul, and if Cap
tain Salter isn't satisfied with me, III
not be in the crew next run. That's
so but l mean to try. Pm goin' to dc
my best, Christy."
Christy was on her own doorstep
now, and quite herself again. enc
doubt you will, Mr.. Mandum," she
said, saucily. "But you haven't said
word about your brother Leonard
You know he's going in the Harkaway
too. l suppose he'll do his best, too
l wonder which of you will come out
ahead Well, good-by, and good luck
to both of you. L must go in now to
supper. Good-by"
She nodded to him, and with laugh
and look which John did not under
stand, she went in and shut the door.
John turned from the house and
went stumbling down the street.
Christy had told him bit of news
His brother Leonard was going with
the Harkaway, too. What did the fell
low mean Len was On the wharf
when John reached it.
"What'were you SO close meuthed
about gOin' in the Harkaway for ~
said John, angrily, to his brother.
"Only one of the tricks, Johnny.
Keep your temper"
The lads, or men, for they were the
size of men, now went aboard together.
There had been an unusual and singu-
lar affection between the brothers when
they were children but Len was made
a little conceited by his success at
school, while John was discouraged
and dulled by his failures. Len, too,
had habit of teasing, common to most
boys of nervous temperament, but
John regarded it as a sign of contempt
for himself. 1t often stung him to the
quick.
The Harkaway set sail. Both of the
Mandums had grown up, like other
Gloucester boys, in familiarity with
everything that concerns a fishing YES
sci. They were expert enough in their
work to satisfy, after a day or two,
even old Captain Salter. In spite of
his jealousy, John was proud of Lens
agility and skill.
''He gets about wonderful for Grip
ple," the captain said one evening when
the wind was rising and storm was
evidently brewing, to some of the men
as he stood on deck, watching Len furl
sail.
"YOur father told me as how he
thought of settlin' down to fishin' and
gettin' married. You Mandums al
ways marry young"