Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-02-24
nc carclesslv took :


nc carclessly took stock of his surround :
ings.
Near the bottom Of the row window
was open, and, by geranium that
i'll Il pot, the first and only flower he
had seen, a girl was leaning lightly OH
her elbow. Her soft, hazel eyes were
liked on the opposite doorway.
Here Il woman with red face and
brandishing n broom in her hand was
barring the entrance against herculcan
man in a glistcning oily frock.
al aN you agin', John Wade" shout
ed lie of the oily, ''if you're agoin' to
sca?'
"An' tell you agin', skipper, replied
dogged voice from tac interior, Il
amt agoin to sea-"
"rhen." cried the giant, wildly,
"what am to do! Here's the vessel
read to sail an you asliulkin. But, ms
my name is Bill Thompson, I'll police
ye."
lie looked so big and helpless in his
muddle that the girl at the window,
who seemed used to such scenes, smiled.
Looking up at her and seeing for the
first time that she was in deep mourning,
the young man smiled also. Then n
thought appeared to strike him.
"Am | of any use2" he said to the
wearer of the oily. az want a job"
The skipper looked at him doubtfully;
he thought he was joking.
"lf you're ready an willin', iny lad"
he said, you're OF use. But if you amt,
you amt. Dye want bertha"
al want everything" answered the
young mun in Il low tone. "Tm home
less and renniless. But I'm lands
man."
THAT amt bit o. consequence.
What dye say2 Will yc goa IT'S for
eight weeks"
~ don't care if it's for eight years.
There's nothing to stop me here"
"Come on, then" cried the delighted
fisherman. "But stop; who's goin' to
take your pay carda What's your name,
my lad2"
''John smith," was the answer, and
his hesitation escaped the skipper.
"Well, Smity, for fear O. accidents,
some one had better take your money.
Who'll ye leave it wth2"
The young man again looked up at
the window at the sweet, pure face
above him. The gaze of the rough sea
giant beside him followed his glance.
ooh, scel' he exclaimed; "yon'rc
going to ask 1t, miss. Well, you know
where to go. Old Tom Price is the
owner, an the name of the vessel the
Saucy Lass.
"Come on, Smith, no more hankyin' !;
your sweetheart 'ull take your money, :"
and he seized the newly shipped by the
arm.
AT the word Sweetheart" the cheeks
of the girl at the window grew as red as
the geranium by her elbow. In IA
startled manner she stretched over the
sill.
mo, no." she cried in confusion, az
do not know the gentleman. IL"
But already Smith, with the hand of
the skipper on his arm, had been hur.
ried out of earshot, and before she could
reach the door the two had vanished
down the road.
Eight weeks later the young man,
bronzed and hearty, stood on Yarmouth
quay. His sea rig had given place to
decent suit Of clothes, and he seemed
bordering which way to CO.
AT last he wandered away to the sea.
shore. Deep in thought, he strollcd on
by the edge of the white crested break
ers till he came to the Danes Finding
a spot where pale blue violcts lay low
among the sea grass, he flung himself
down and pulled out an envelope.
1t contained postoffice order
wrapped in piece of notcpaper, and on
this was written "Katherine Perry
The amount was the sum due TO him on
his pay card.
He had been to the house, but foand
her gone. Yet here was his money ief!