Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-02-20
A WIFE WORTH HAVING.

The old ship Vincent seemed to be one
of those craft that. according to the
theory of sailors. are doomsd 10 i'll fate.
james Marshall, q young man from
Newport, r l., had been her captain
for five years. and during that time she
had been twice knocked down." once
had she carried away her foremast, and
at tile time Of which we write the old
ship was docked at Liverpool undergo
ing repairs from a serious damage she
had received during.a heavy gale in st.
Georges Channel; but in all these mis-
haps the owners had been forced to ac-
knowledge that the young captain was
entirely free from blame, while, on the
other hand, he had made better slime
in his trips than any other master had
ever been allie to get out of her.
The last damage which the Vincent
received proved TO be the ccasion of the
dawning of new era in the life of Cap
tain Marshall, for willie waiting in
Liverpool for his ship to be repaired lie
fell in with blooming New England
girl named Emma Ramsey. the eldest
daughter of the agent who did the busi-
ness for the Vincenrs owners, and ere
long they discovered that between them
there existed q peculiar feeling of
mutual love. Captain Marshall popped
the delicate question, Emma consulted
with her papa. and at length she con-
sented to become Mra Marshall 1t was
a happy day for all parties when the
marriage took place. for from the known
characters of the bridegroom and his
beautiful brile all felt sure that the
match would prove one of peace and
content.
The Vincent was once more really for
sea. Her cargo was all on board. and
shipped for Boston. and Emma had re-
solved to accompany her husband to the
United States. For a number Of days
the weather was pleasant, and the wind
was fair, while Captain Marshall felt
himself supren'ely happy in the delight
ful company of lis wife. Tie old sail
ors shook their heads as they saw the
gentle Emma pacing the deck. and they
very mysteriously asserted that such
pleasures couldn't always last" aud SO
indeed it proved; for at the close Of a
pleasant day, when they were within
three or -four days sail of their destined
port, things began to look anything but
agreeable. Away to the south'rd and
eastr'd the horizon began to assume a
sort Of inky blackness, with here and
there ghostlike. livid spot. while on all
hands the heavens had changed their
ethereal blue for a cast of deeper and
more fearful import
Captain Marshall felt as he had never
felt before ON the approach Of storm.
For himself. for his ship, he had no
thought then. There was one on board
who engrossed his every sympathy-for
his young wife he felt q degree of in
tense anxiety that was painful; but he
forgot not his duty, and with compara-
tive calnness he set about it The
courses were hauled up and snugly
furled, the lighter sails taken In, and
the lofty yards aud topgallant masts
sent on deck, and the three topsails close
reefed.
Long before the sun went down the
undulating ocean had assumed almost
the blackness OF night, and not many
moments elapsed after the spars had
been secured upon the deck ere the
storm burst upon the ship Il was a
regular southeaster. aud those who have
encountered one Of these storms in the
gulf know something Of their power
Higher and higher rose the mighty tenn
pest, until at length it was found neces-
sary to take in the topsails and trust to
the fore and main storm staysails and a
balance reeEed spanker. In this way the
ship lay to tIll morning, the gale increas-
ing every hour.
Captain Marshall trusted that when
the sun rose on the next day the storm
would abate, but in this he was disap-
pointed. for a part Of the forenoon he
was actually obliged to scud before it
It was not until two staysails had been
torn from their bolt ropes that he fully
explained his anticipations and the ex-
tent Of his fears to his wife.
Emma, said lie, = wish had not
brought ron with me.
Why s0fs she asked. as she gaxed up
into her husbands face with apparent
astonishmenk
why so7 DO ron not comprehend
our dangerfS
But the ship does not leak, does it,"
returned Emma with remarkable cool
ness.
NO"
@Then let n not fear the storm /
was born upon the Atlantic, and feel
that ! can jet trust 10 my native els-
nlenk"
Ths captain was ast0nishsd at this