The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-11-11

gone from 0er, ike chicken S1ttln Q.
alone in its coop; and behind us came
the young married pair. always lag
ging. which compelled me to turn my
head often.
The whistle sounded. We went on
board, and the ship, leaving its dock,
glided out upon sea as smooth as
glass. We watched the receding shore,
happy and joyous, a feeling doubtless
experienced by all who have travelled.
My father wore his long coat from
which all the spots had been washed
with benzine, and consequently he
strongly suggested that valuable
cleansing agent, and recalled to my
mind our Sunday outings.
Suddenly he espied two elegant
ladies, to whom two gentlemen were
offering oysters. An old ragged sea-
man opened the bivalyes with enc blow
of a knife and passed them to the gen.
tlemen, who Immediately carried them
to the ladies. who ate them in most
genteel manner. holding the shells in
a cambria handkerchief, and convey
ing them to their mouths without drop
ping any juice or staining their toilets.
Then they drank the liquid with a
pretty. rapid movement, and threw
the shells into the sea.
Undoubtedly my father was capti-
vated by this distinguished act of eat
ing oysters on a vessel while it was
under sail. He thought it was good
taste, refined, superior, and approach
ed my mother and sisters, saying:
What would you say if I should
offer you some oystersP"
My mother hesitated on account of
the expense; but my sisters accepted
Immediately.
My mother said in querulous tone:
Il am afraid they will not agree
with ME. Give some to the children.
but not many, as the oysters will make
them sick" Then turning toward me,
she remarked: LAS to Joseph. he
needs none; it is best not to spoil the
boy"
I remained beside my mother and
thought her very unjust. I followed
my father with my eyes and watched
him as he pompously conducted his
toward the old seaman.
The two ladies started to go, and
my father indicated to my two sisters
that they were to eat the oysters with
out spilling any juice; in order that
they might understand better he took
an oyster, and. in endeavoring to imi-
tate the ladies, poured the whole
liquid down the front of his coat.
Suddenly my father appeared to be-
come uneasy, he recoiled few steps.
regarded his family fxedly, then the
old seaman, and quickly returned to
US. He seemed pale and his eyes had
a singular look. He said to my
mother:
sit is strange how that man opening
the oysters resembles jules"
Mother asked:
What Jules?''
My father returned:
''Why, my brother Jules. If I did
not know that he had good position
in America l should believe it was he.'
My mother calculated angrily:
You are lunatic! You know very
well that it is not Jules. Why do you
talk such nonsense?"
But father said persistently: go
and see for yourself. Clarisse; I should
like very much to have your opinion. ;"
She arose and Joined her two daugh-
ters, and l also went and looked at the
old man. He was dirty, wrinkl ed, and
did not turn his attention from his
work.
My mother returned, and I saw that
she trembled. She said, very quickly:
Il believe it is he. Go and pump
the captain. 1t will be prudent. for
we certainly cannot claim this worth
less fellow as our relative"
My father went and l followed, feel
ing strangely agitated. The captain,
q tall man. very thin, but with i'm
mense whiskers, walked the bridge
with an important air, as if he were
commanding an India mail-steamer.
My father mounted the steps with GER
emony. and spoke of his calling with
compliments; asked him of the impor-
tance of Jersey, its inhabitants, their
manners. their dress, the nature of the
soil, etc. He thought the captain
would, perhaps. speak of the United
States of America; but he spoke only
of the vessel in which we were sailing,
how it was equipped, etc.
Finally my father said in troubled
voice:
You have very interesting old
man opening oysters. Do you know
any particulars of this good manp'
The captain, beginning to be bored
by the conversation. replied care
lessly:
He is an old French vaga bond
whom I found in America last year.
He has relatives in Havre, it appears,
but does not want to return to them
as he owes them some money. His
name is Jules-Jules Darmanche OF
Jules Davranche. it is immaterial
which. 1t appears that he was we'll
to-do at one time, but you see your
self that he is much reduced at pres
ent."
My father turned a livid hue, his
eyes grew haggard. and, in an inartic-
ulate voice, ne said:
''Ah! yes. very true. l thank you
very much, captain"
And he walked away. He approach
ed my mother, who said to him in al
agitated voice:
Sit down; did you find out any
thingP"
He sank upon the seat and ex
claimed:
1T is he!-it is he! What are we tc
do nowP''
She replied quickly:
I'VE must take care that our son-in
law suspects nothing of this.''
My father seemed paralyzed. HI
murmured:
What catastropher'
NY mother calculated furiously:
Il have always thought it woulC
amount to nothing, and now he re
turns in this state! AS if one did no
know how deep a Davranche coulC
sink!'
And my father passed his hant
across his face as if he would brusl
away mothers reproaches.
Ny mother exclaimed:
Give money to Joseph imnediatel,
and let him pay for the oysters. Blu
he is not to recognize that man nor t.
say anything that will cause him to b.
recognized; and let US go to anothe
part of the ship where that man can
not approach us!'
With these words she rose. and m,
father gave me five-franc piece.
My sisters regarded our parent
with a surprised stare; and l said tn
sea had made mamma little uneasy
and departed on my errand.
/. asked the old man:
| ,,o,1oh do 0vuo Won f0,~ h