Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-02-06
LOVE AT THE SHIP"

a black and indigo cloud and streaked
the sea with a copperish hue. Far
down the beach were two men and a
boat. They were stalwart men and
the eldest was busy shaking from the
meshes of a 0raw-net entangled tufts
of maroon and brown seaweed.
poor draughts, Shelah," said the
net-shaker, looking philosophically
into the basket that held the fish.
Poor enough, Master Reeks. Is it
home now?"
SAY, lad; home it is. Get in the
boat, Shelah."
The young man jumped into the boat
and took the oars; the other showed
off and when he WAS knee deep in the
salt water clambered in after him.
"Shelah," said Reeks speaking of
sudden, "when are YOU going to marry
my Jen?"
There came little extra color into
Shelah's smooth tanned cheeks. Il
don't know, master" he said.
"Ah," said Reeks, with a sigh, Il
wish her mother was alive"
"Why, old Tom?" asked Shelah.
"Why? To steer her, lad. I'm
afeerd my hand is bis too heavy on
the tiller for a dainty craft like my
Jen. She wants woman at her hellum
or a husband"
what makes you say that?" asked
Shelah, resting on his oars.
"I'n tell We, lad" he said slowly;
Its been on my mind long time,
an now I'll tell We. | don't like the
comin's an COINS OF that young brewer
o. our'n. Mr.. Cyril Rivington.
Now, in my fathers time, an in my
time, the old Ship might ha' tum bled
about our ears for all the brewer cared
or troubled. But since this here
young chap ha' come from abroad, an
his father ha' taken him into partner
ship, things ha' altered. Nigh on
every day he's a-ridin' up to know if
we want anything done. Is the beer
all right? Are there any repairs
needed? An all that. | shouldn't care
how many times he come, Shelah, if it
warn't for Jen. I'm afeerd that his
fine boss an his velvet coat an his leg
gins an his watch-chain NAV dazzle
her, lad. It's precious little company
we see at the Ship an it may make
her dissatisfied with the life she's
leadin'."
$50 she is, my lad; but she'd be
man an man, lad, | wants to know
when you're goin' to marry her?"
I'D marry her tomorrow" said
Shelah, wistfully, If she'd ha' me,
master"
Reeks looked at him steadily for
moment. 'Shelah Baxter" he said
solemnly, "you put me- in mind of that
song the Scotch paCkman was singin'
in the Ship the tother night. You
sit on a stule an look like fule, with
your hold jaws newly shaven. You
hain't got the pluck of a mouse"
Shelah looked dreamily at the pur
ple-feathered arrows and silver spear
tipped shafts of cloud over the sea,
but gave no contradiction.
wi wimen, l mean" pursued
Reeks. There amt 8 man in the
whole village. that could put you on
your back. But wi wimen!" He
snorted. why, man alive, the holder
you are wi woman the better she
likes We. See how they run arter q
| soger's coat Now / ha' got bit and
you ha' got boat of your own, and
what's to purvent you two a-settlin'
down together? Pluck up, Shelah,
say /, and ha' no more shilly-shallyin'.
"I'll think on it," said Shelah, slow
ly.
DO" said Reeks, retilling his pipe.
"But to act on it would be better"
Shelah's suspended oars fell splash
upon the sea, and for moment the
boat seemed to raise up and fly bodily
over the top of 4 wave, so hard did he
pub.
Master" he said, deliberately, "can
you read writin'?"
No" said Reeks. Why?"
because, if you could, l wanted
you to read this" lie held out a sheet
of pink note-paper. Ii was soiled with
fish scales and tobacco dust. but even
now retained sweet and subtle per-
fume.
Reeks took it gingerly, held it three
different ways and narrowly scanned
it. "All | can make out, lad, f." he said,
"is these here"
What are they9" cried Shelah,
eagerly.
"Kisses!" said Reeks, solemnly, "ten
on 'em."
"Kisses" repeated Shelah, vacantly.
In sudden fury he snatched the paper,
and, doubling it in Il ball, threw it far
over the waves. Opposite the lookout
Shelah rowed ashore.
Now" said Reeks, as he jumped
out, an stow away, lad. Go you ur
to the Ship It's about time you and
Jen came to an understanding. Pluck
up, Shelab, and remember there's
allus ways an mean, of winnin' wo-