The morning call., 1893-01-05
HE CAME AT LAST.

It was in the days long ago when there
was hustle and business in an ancient and
historic seaport, where now may be seen
rOiting wbarves and tumble-down ware
houses; when a dozen sea-going vessels
were in the harbor where one is now seen
when the stanch whaleships went out on
their long voyages and came back laden
with the wealth that made the prosperity
ef:the port; when sailors and sailors fam
lilies made up large share Of the popula-
:. ton, and the old town really seemed to be-
long less to the land than to the sea.
All this has changed, and the incidents we
relate could hardly occur there now. But
human lives and human hopes and fears,
happineSseand misery, are much the same
everywhere.
We'll back from. the harbor. the wharves
and the busy part of the town, in that out
skirt III which was built on the rising
ground that overlooked the town, bay and
: oceans: Captain Benson had his cottage.
He was at:h0me very little Of the time, but
when. be. was. there lie loved a place like
thfs, commanding wide view OF the ocean
rim, Where be could sit at tho window by
:: the hour. and with his good glass discover
tile first indication OF sails approaching the
v
fer fuliy-6flv years pursued the business on
all seRs:-" For the last two years he had COM
maR6ed~ The wllaleship Chevsier. On his
last voyage. out he. bad said to his wife:
s'IflE' be the last. Nancy Let me go once
more to:the- South: Pacific and ill the old
ship with oil and then I'll stay here ana
pass the :Test..of my. days with you ana
Thankful. Jack Sturdy, my mate VIII then
be master-he,s"a fine fellow, Thankful. L
mist bring him:here TO see you.
20 Then tIe- old. captain looked from his
wife to his daughter. ard added the dTOll
remark, "For my part l am beginning to
think It's time i*was better acquainted
with you tive"
- He went to sea again; but he never re-
turned. s year later the eyes OF the wife
and daughter were -gladdened by the sight
of the Chevaller sailing into the bay. But
instead of him they. eagerly watched for the
mate came up, slowly and scrrowfully, to
tell them that tile captain had died Of fever
in .CsllaO and was buried there.
John Sturdy was now captain and was
busy enough picking. his crew, oVerhauling
tie ship and making al ready for his first
voyage in command OF her. But il was
noticed that after everything had been
done for the wife and daughter which the
dying captain had requested, after their
glief. had somewhat subsidized. Captain
Sturdy still climbed the hill TO the cottage,
al least three times a week.
Il
began to hint that Thankful BeEson could
tell why he came so often; and not more
than three months had passed since be first
came, when Mrs. Benson sileneed them all
with the plain statement:
."Ihere needn't be any mystery about it,
Thankful: and Captain Sturdy are engaged,
and Will be married as soon as proper
Tespect for the memory of her father will
allow. Ifll probably be at the end Of the
ChevaeFs next voyage"
John Study was an experienced seaman
of 35-fftten years older than Thankful, to
whom his ship had been his world, and to
whom Ideas Of love and marriage had ap-
peared idle myths. He met Thankful Ben
son for the first time when she tainted in
his arms upon his distressing errand to the
cottage. She had grown upon his fancy
With every visit; and his heart was quickly
offered. With her it was case of love; he
was all that Ter youthful Imagination re-
CURED. And when he took the girl by the
hand, and asked the widow for her consent,
she smiled and sighed all at once.
5:''0h, it's we'll enough, Thankful" she
said: ''lf you must marry sailor; but /
tFOns go sfafaring.''
ITS the way of our family, you know,
mother" and the. daughter smiled ana
looked up to her sailor trustfulIy.
: "lndeed 1t is;- and sorry and heart
breaking way it has been for the women,
mems families. For thirty years I've
known this port, and of all It's sailors that
have died in that time not one out of four
has died in his bed. But the Lord wills it,
and may you be happy"
"When knew was to be master Of the
CbeVaLier." said John Sturdy, 81 did not
think l should quit her for ten years, at
least. I'ni a.sailor. and love the sea, with
eli It's perils, but now. If Thankful asks me
TO quit 1t for her, I'm ready"
Indeed; then. do ask you"
but only at tire end of this voyage. NV
word has been given 10 the owners, and
cannot break il. The time will be short; let
US live In hupe of it"
''Ah. this one last voyagel" sighed Mrs.
Benson ruefully. "Pray God it may fare
better than that-of my poor, dear Simeon"
The CheyaleT sailed in March. The
parting was a hard one; quite as hard for
the man as for the maid. 1t need not be
told why it was hard for her to give her
young loves dream 10 the cruel chances of
the ses; of him Ii must be said that, as love
. came late,:i came strong as well.
U0n,t 90, Jack" she pleaded amid her
aobs. Il know IFS selfish. but can't help
IL. Don't leave mel l shall never see you
again if you do"
Her distress, her unbounded love- ap-
pealed &c him powerfully His resolution
was severely shaken. Nothing but the
sailors ingrained honor aud habitual self
discipline held him back, as he said;
For heavens sake, Thankful, DON'T
tempt me away from duty! leave YOU
only because l must; but the time will be
short. All our arrangements are for short