Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-04-12
NED'S WIFE

handsome Ned GrayllnS, inc most
popular man on board the old Van
guard.
Ned never shrielSed his duty. but it
was known TO few that he was dead in
love with Cora, the shippers pretty
daughter, who was engaged to a man
named Audley, n junior partner in the
firm of owners. whom she had never
seen. Hence the old mans dislike TO
Ned.
Cora was on board, going home from
Shanghai to her future husband, as was
supposed.
'Ned," said | to him one morning,
1--WE good mind to get off this rail
and give you toweling on the spot.
You orter have it good and solid. You
ought to know what chance n common
sailor has with IA captain, and act like
somebody. Come, give up the idea.
Never"
You'll be sorry for it some time"
Ned looked over his shoulder and
saw Cora standing in the waist, and
had work there instantly. | was veXed,
for knew tha' the old man was watch
ing him, ami was afraid he'd get into
trouble. He only said word or two
and passed on, but the old man saw
him speaking to her and bore up for
him.
Look here, my Lad he said; Didn't
you speak to my daughter just now?'
Yes, sir replied Ned. Any
orders to the contrary?"
Yes growled the old gentleman;
you dare speak to her again, and I'll
have all the skin of your back"
.sEiva vC,r oplars ('antain Marvin
aud will try TO obey them"
You must never speak TO the girl
again She's a fool and forgets that
I've promised her to the best young
man in Philadelphia, leastways every
sne says so, but | never saw him. Now
you must come and make trouble,
blame you"
Il love Cora" said Ned, quietly. IF
you was to kill me you couldn't change
that. But I'm gentleman, and she is
promised 10 some one else and cares
for him. I'm not the man 70 stand in
her way, give you my word not to
speak to her unless you give me leave.
SEQ forward. then; | believe you will
do as you say" said the captain.
He didn't speak to Cora again, but
the old man forgot to tell him not to
letters TO fill a mail bag.
We made Calcutta by daylight and
ran in with pilot, and just as he took
the ship in charge the captain ran be-
low to get a glass of grog and found
his daughter reading Neds last note.
Well, he tore round the cabin and
swore until you'd have thought he'd
start of all the deck planks. Then he
came on deck on the jump and ordered
me to put Ned in irons.
"I'll have you towed ashore on a
grating, you COMPOUNDED lubber" he
roared.
mo you won't, captain cried Ned.
"What have | done now?'
You promised not TO speak to
Cora"
Il kept my word, SIR"
Yes, and she's got stack of letters
from you as high as the mainmast. l
ought TO seize you up to the rigging and
give you forty lashes."
Il wouldn't do that" said Ned. with
a peculiar look in his eyes. You've
got the right TO send me ashore, now
we are in port; but no logging, If you
please. Now I'll make you an offer
You let me stay on board until we get
to Calcutta, and after twelve hours, if
you do not take back all you have said,
| will agree never to speak 10 Cora,
write to her. or see her again"
That's fair" said the old man. "Old
Seth Audley comes aboard there and
I'll tell MIN what a sea lawyer I've
shipped"
The pilot took us in safely and two
hours later we were boarded by "A shore
boat carrying "a passenger just such an
old blower az our old man and with as
little bite in him. They shook hands
and dragged each other up and down
the deck, and then the old man asked
him into the cabin, and showed his
daughter, whom the old chap had never
seen.
She'll do" said old Audley.
"Clean built little clipper rs ever |
see. II my boy Ned objects to actin q
as convoy for such craft as that I'll
have him up at the grating. But
where is hop"
Il don't know anything about him"
said the captain, but I've got man
on board that swears he'll marry Cora,
and blame my eyes il ] don't think he
will il your son amt smart"
IF he can weather on Ned Audley
give him the girl" roared the passen-
ger. my son is smart, tell you. He
went up 20 Shanghai to-why, there he
Isl"
The door swung open and Ned Gray
ling walked in.
That's tho mani" cried Captain
Marvin. "He says he will have her
and I'll give my consent. But I'll see
him hanged"
Don't swear, captain" said Nod,
slapping him Familiarity on the shout
der. I'm Ned Grayling Audley, the
son OF that old fellow there, and
shipped in the Vanguard to see how