Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-08-24

for them. One would think l was go
ing TO build palace instead OF tidy
little siN-roomed cottage"
"Ah, but the masterful way In which
you rule and direct them, Capt Bud
dlel" said Mrs. Pringle, admiringly.
you've u natural gift for the ruling Of
men"
Maybe" said the captain, pleasant
ly; but that's a different thing from
the ruling of women, Mrs. Pringle.
You can't clinch any little difference OF
opinion with handspilSc when you're
arguing with lovely woman. You've got
to keep your hand on the helm all tho
time Ind not let her know IT,"
Eyes, rojoined Mrs. Pringle, Thought
fully; 'women like strong, master
full hand that'n guide themi but they
won't be driven"
The captain shifted himself in his
chair. Suddenly II dawned upon him
that the matter might be one capable
Of personal Interpretation. lie had
never tried his hand In that direction.
II seemed to him that the bowling wind
outside, as II blow among the unfinished
rafters of the Providence cottage, was
jeering at him for his lack of skill In
the direction of the fair sex. lie stirred
his tea and took another lump Of sugar.
And tho widow, too, thought of many
things In her quiet, gentle way as sho
sat by her side of the fire Capt. Bud
die, with his wonderful flow OF Ian.
guage and quaint descriptive power,
had been u great source of comfort TO
the amiable Mrs. Pringle, And now In
a couple Of months Providence cottage
would be finished and the captain cease
u remain her ledger. How kind he
had been when that "land-shark" of
coal man tried 10 cheat her out OF
sack OF coalsl The captain, albeit
man of peace, had knocked the fraudu-
lent coal man into tho middle of the
cellar, and refused TO allow him to de-
part until he put his head through tho
circular opening and humbly apollo
gized. 1t was something to have
great, strong, gentle-the captain was
wonderfully gentle To her-sailor about
the premises. All, well, she would take
her nephew Jack and his pretty bride,
Polly Humphreys, TO live with her un.
I'll they had saved enough money TO
buy house-no thrifty fisherman at
Ventnor ever married before he had
bought house-and try TO forget tho
captains pleasant ways. Then she re-
membercd that Jack was little un-
certain in his temper, and that the cap
tain was, except when justihably
reused by fraudulent coal men, US mild
rs a lamb.
Suddenly Capt Buddle rose from his
chair and crossed over 10 Mrs. Pringles
side of the room. "Mrs. Pringle,
ma'am," he said--and his flow Of Ian.
guage seemed to have returned 10 him
Mrs. Pringle, ma'am, what would
you think of man who was safe In
port II he ventured out 10 sea again In
IA new craft-a craft that might be lop-
sided and cranky, with shifting ballast,
given likewise TO shipping bilge water"
there was a touch OF real pathos in
his voice as he drew this touching pic
ture-"and maybe that wouldn't an.
swer her helm2 What would you think
OF such u man II he was 10 leave his
snug bunk In port and go drifting up
and down, a-steerin' all over the points
Of the compass Renerally?'
v
thought of him, Capt. Buddle," said
Mrs. Pringle ut is not for me TO set
my opinion against that OF scattering
gentleman like yourself. But II the
man you speak of is the man take
him 10 be- then"
"Then what, Mrs. Pringle, ma'am2'
eagerly inquired the captain.
"He-he would stop in his bunk in
port, as you nautical gentlemen say"
returned Mrs, Pringle.
The captains face glowed with ex.
element. lie took up the plans OF
Providence cottage 10 cast them In the
FIRE. Mrs. Pringle gently stayed his
hand. what are you doing2' she
asked.
"Mrs. Prlngle, ma'am, I'm going TO
commit these plans TO the flames, said
the captain "unless you'll lot me give
them 10 Jack and Polly"
| "W-what2"
"Yes, Mrs. Pringlc ma'am, am that
| lubber," said the captain, with re-
| pressed excitement. "Why should
| go building n house like Providence
cottage, when my Providence n herel
This is my port; and II SO be youll al
| low me TO cast anchor and stay here
sin command2" querled Mrs. Prin-
| gle, scarce knowing what she had said.
The captain took her hand. mo,
Mrs PrinRle but as first officer, with
you in command, and Prudence and the
cat 10 swab decks"
"Ye-es," said Mrs Pringle; and the
captain, forgetting the cat, kissed her
The cat walked out Of the room, her
tail stiff with Indignation.
Outside, the wind howled dismally
among the brick work Of the partially
completed Providence cottage Ten
o'clock struck as the widow brought
out her family Bible, and Prudence
Pemberton, the maid, sat coyly down
on the edge Of a chair just inside the
parlor door
Tho captain opened the Bible rever-
emily. Now We'll have our sailing or
ders for tomorrow" he said.
Mrs Pringle laid aside her knitting,
looked at the captain with fearful eyes,
and placed his spectanles on the open
Bible, thus tacitly taking command OF
that goodly mariner Capt. Sol Buddle,
who put on the spectacles and some
what laboriously began 10 read.--G. ID,
Burgin, in Chambers Journal