Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1892-09-30

the replies from people who were anxious
to buy a sextant.
But the sextant market was apparent
ly rather dull, for all the. clerk could
give him was one solitary letter. The
captain tore the envelope open and tossed
it aside.
81 saw your advertisement in the
Globe" read the captain. 81 wish to
buy a good second hand machine of
standard make, and il the one you offer
is in perfect repair and the price is sat-
isfactory, perhaps we can trade. But |
cannot give more than $50, and if you
ask more you need not reply to this.
Send your address, stating where ma
chine can be seen, to Ii. +. Bourne, $50
Winter street."
"Well," soliloquized the captain,
"1ve got one answer, anyhow. But
what does a woman want of a sextant-
for this is certainly woman's writingl
She seems to be in earnest though.
"And $50! Conscience Inever ex.
pected to get more than S25. Well,
she'll have to come on board, suppose,
SO I'll send her my address," And
standing at the public desk he wrote:
H. E. Bourne-Dear Miss: Yours in re-
| ply to my advertisement in the Globe is at
hand. Please call on me aboard the bark
| Edna Dunn, Constitution wharf, between 2
and 8. EDWIN X. SPRowL, Captain.
The next afternoon about o'clock
trim little figure walked rapidly over the
rough planks of Constitution wharf.
ats queer place to find second
hand typewriter" thought Eta Bourne,
"'but | suppose the captain got tired of
it, or couldn't use it because the vessel
pitched so, or something like that"
She saw the gilt letters, 'E Ina
Dunn" A fat, bald headed man with a
little gingham apron on looked out the
door of box-like house in the middle
of the vessel.
A broad plank extended from the
wharf across the bulwarks. The man in
the apron came forward.
~ wish to see Captain Sprowl," said
she.
"Yis, min. Come right aboard, MIN ),
on that there plank, min. The aptain
is down in his cabin, mim."
Eta Bourne stepped hastily along the
| plank, and the stout cook, putting his
/ broad palms under her elbows, lifted her
lightly to the deck.
"This way, mim," and he led her
around to the after r-companionway.
They went down the brass rallied
stairs, and as the cook knocked at the
door Eta noticed how spick and span
everything looked.
| As matter of fact the captain, in
view of the lady's visit, had kept the
cook securing the wood and brasswork
all the forenoon.
Captain, sir, a lady wishes to see
ye."
The captain, with half an hours work
in his four-in hand, bowed respect
| fully.
~ am Miss Bourne" began Eta. 81
came in response to your advertisement
in the Globe about a"
eyes, ma'am," said the captain, "this
is the place. Will you take seat2"
As Eta sank into an easy chair she
glanced about her in astonishment. She
had no idea that these little low houses
on ships deck was SO comfortable as
this.
Here was dainty little sitting room,
with rich, soft carpet, hanging lamp
of elaborate design, huge plush easy
chairs and sofa, a pretty rattan rocker
and table strewn with the latest
magazines.
81 beg your PARDON" said the tall
captain, who had been looking curiously
at her; "but are you not related to Miss
Annie Bourne, of Kennebunk2'
"Why, yes, indeed; she is my own
sister," answered Eta, with animation.
~ used to go to school with her in
the old Berwick Academy, years ago; but
didn't know she had a sister"
ooh, yes, went to the academy my
self, but it was after she was graduated.
"And was old Brown principal when
you were there2'
From this they went on for ten min
utcs, and each knew so many that the
other did that they soon became old ac-
quaintances.
The captain at once noticed that she
was remarkably neat and pleasant little
woman, and Eta Bourne thought the
captain tine-looking man, tall aud
strong.
"Well, Captain Sprowl," said she,
finally, 81 mustn't forget what | came
for. believe you have machine that
you wish to sell?"
"Why, yes" said the captain, won
dering what on earth this attractive
young woman could want of a sextant.
"And how did you come to want to
sell it., pursued she, wondering what
use this sea-captain had for typewriter.
"Well, the fact is" said the captain,
reddening a little. ~ bought new one
the other day when l really didn't need
it, aud of course, haven't use for two.
And" continued he, "since turn about
is fair play, | am going to ask you what
you want of oneW
"To earn living with" said she.
4 N looked puzzled as he went
into Groom to get the sextant.
He huu heard that women were becoming
the rivals of men in almost every trade
and profession, and he vaguely wondered
if MISS Bourne was intending sometime
70 become Captain Bourne.
"Well," said he, coming back and
holding the sextant out towards her,
"here it is. The ivory on the scale is
little yellow, and the verner glass has a
little crack across the other edge, but"
He stopped. Miss Bourne was hold
ing up her hands in amazement.