Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-12-21

sum Surely there is nothing unreason-
able in that-nothing which could offend
your principles. We shall have medi-
cine, law and the church, all rallying
that night for the protection of woman.
Is the navy to be the one profession abb
sent?"
The admiral jumped out of his chair
with an evil word in his throat There,
there, ma'am," he cried. Drop it for a
time. l have heard enough. You've
turned me point or two. won't deny
it. But let it stand at that. Twill think
it over"
Certainly, admiral. We would not
hurry you in your decision. But we still
hope to see you on our platform. She
rose and moved about in her lounging
masculine fashion from one picture to
another, for the walls were thickly COW
cred with "reminiscences of the admiral 8
voyages.
''Hullor' said she. Surely this ship
would have furled all her lower canvas
and reefed her topsails if she found her
self on lee shore with the wind on her
quarter"
''Of course she would. The artist was
never past Gravesend, l swear. It's the
Penelope as she was on the 18th of June.
1857, in the throat of the straits Of Ban
ca, with the island of Banca on the star
board bow and Sumatra on the port. He
painted from description, but of course,
as you very sensibly say, all was snug
below, and she carried stormsails and
double reefed topsails, for it was blow
ing cyclone from the sou'east. COM
pliment you, ma'am, do indeed!'
"Oh, l have done little sailoring my
self-as much as woman can aspire to,
you know. This is the bay of Funchal.
What lovely frigate!"
Lovely, you sayl All, she was lovely!
That is the Andromeda. was a mate
aboard of her-sublieutenant they call
it now, though like the old name best. !"
'What a lovely rake her masts have,
and what a curve to her bows! She
must have been clipper"
The old sailor rubbed his hands, and
his eyes glistened. His old ships bor-
dered close upon his wife and his son in
his affection.
81 know Funchal," said the lady care
lessly. "a couple of years ago had a
7-ton cutter rigged yacht, the Banshee,
and we ran over to Madeira from Fal-
mouth"
"You, ma'am, in 7-tonner"
with couple of Cornish lads for q
crew. Oh, it was glorious! A fortnight
right out in the open, with no worries,
no letters, no callers, no petty thoughts,
nothing but the grand works of God, the
tossing sea and the great silent sky.
They talk of riding indeed am fond of
horses, too-but what is there to COM
pare with the swoop Of little craft as
she pitches down the long, steep side of
a wave, and then the quiver and spring
as she is tossed upward again? Oh, if
our souls could transmigrate I'd be a
seamew above all birds that fly! But
keep you, admiral. Adieu!"
The old sailor was too transported with
sympathy to say word. He could only
shake her broad muscular hand. She was
half way down the garden path before
she heard him calling her and saw his
grizzled head and weather stained face
looking out from behind the curtains.
"You may put me down for the plat
form" he cried and vanished abashed
behind thu curtain of his Times, where
his wife found him at lunchtime.
81 hear that you have had quite long
chat with Mrs. Westmacott, said she.
Eyes, and think that she is one of
the most sensible women that | ever
knew"
Except on the woman's rights ques-
ton, of course"
"Oh, don't know She has a good
deal to say for herself on that also. In
fact, mother, have taken a platform
ticket for her meeting"