The Arizona sentinel., 1888-01-21
A CLUMSY FISHERMAN"
But He Proved Himself to Be a @ 'sNob1e Fellow"

It was a. very humble house. The roof was so low that the caves oyer. shadnwed the door, and the shingted walls were. whitewashed instead oi painted, The surroundings suggesttd sun odd mixture of fishing and farm life, In the front yard lay :an old boat sharp at both ends, and of a faded green color. Once it had fought brately with. tho waves that heave around the island; now in its old age it rested quietly upon the grass. It had been filled. with earth. and bore as its last cargo profusion of bright flowers In the bafnyard at the rear. stood 3 yolle-of sleek oxen sleepilyv chewing the cud; swhile from allorizontal pole near by hung a great seinenet with two circular holes in it where shark. tempted by the mack erel within, had bitten his way in aud out again. There was a,sugges- tion of the sea even in the vane upon the small, weather colered barn, for the proud chantieleer of the mainland had given place to majestic whale
 A girl stood in the doorway, looking seaward. Before her the surface of the island. rose and fell in a regular succession of miniature hills and val leys. The knolls were dotted with browsing sheep. and in many of the hollows sparkled tiny ponds. Of to the left shone the white sands of Crescent Beach, sweeping with grace full curve to Clay Head, where a gleam of white against the dark blue of the sea showed that the waves were hurl- ing themselves against the powders scattered along the base of the bluff.
 But the girl kept her gaze fixed upon the quiet waters of the. harbor. A sailboat was just creeping within the shelter of the huge breakwater, which lookel at that distance like slender line of black running out into the sea.
 Come, come, Nellie?" called a sharp voice within the house. What De you 'a-lookin' al? Do help me finish this ironin' fore suppern
 The girl turned away from the door. with little petulance in her air and a slight flush on her brown cheek.
 Don't be too hard on Nell, moth CT" said a big, breezy voice. t'No wonder she likes to watch the 'NIer- mad" come in. There ain't no bet ter skipper on the island than John Wilber-nor no better lad neither Don't you remember. mother. when there used to be somebody a-watchin' for me an wavin' her apron in. the doorway soon as the Dolphin coB1e round the p'int?"
 | Nellie threw a grateful look at her father who sat upon bucket outside the. door, mending his lobster traps, then snatching up fiat-iron. went to work with such a will that the iron ing. was soon dispatched. Then she took her station at the door again.
 But this time she looked down the road that wound around the nearest knoll, Soon .three men came into sight; one of them carried big cod by, the gills, its tail trailing in the dust.
 -'tThere's John!' cried the girl. and started 10 meet him; but catching sight of the other two figures, she retreated into the kitchen, where John soon joined her.
 *Well, my little girl" he said, lay ing two great brown hands lightly up- or Nellie's shoulders and kissing her half-averted face, ''hOw have you been all day? You see I've brought you some boarders. Your mother talkin' with em now in the settin' room.. The ald gentleman come to the island for his health and brought his son along 10 kinder take care on him. They wanted a quiet place. an told em they couldn't do no better'n come here"
 And what luck to-day, John?'' asked the girl, taking one of the big hands between both of hers. "Are you high hook? You always dc catch lhe most, don you?"
 "Oh, I'm not fshin' now" he re- piled. The "Mermaid'' Il have work enough takin' parties out sailin'. Well, l must be- gettin' home. Can't you give me another kiss fore go, N r?"
 No, sir, not one," said she, with naiurc-taught coque!ry. But I'll give youa flower instead."
 So he sat down upon the gunwale of tbe old boat while she, plucking a from is flowery deck, deftly | Dlnet it upon the lapel of his rough | H q discolored sailor jacket. Then stepped back, and with head critic ally on one side, contemplated the oifect.< s@ ss-. -t&
 A solemn yet tender light came into Johns eyes as he looked first at the flower and linen at her. --''Gdd bless you. my little girl"' he said, in a husky voice. My life is like this rough old coat, and you-- are, the flower in it. 1
 Nellie saw little of her lover during the next month. The hotels were cr0EdedF with guests, and the "Mer.