Middletown transcript., 1894-04-07

SIN OF water known as 1.-The Fool, "
stood tYS. men. They we're roughly
dressed, and Ne cut and rig of their
garbs showed them to be fisherman, or,
perhaps, lumbermen and coasters. The
elder of the two was stout thick-set
man, somewhere about fifty years of
age, and wearing upon his face the
marks of bold, fearless person. The
other was several years younger, and
though 1t quite so stout in his build,
yet showing enough of muscle to en-
title him to the respect Of one who
looked for manhood in physical strength
The first-he of the most years-was
named Sam Latham, and everybody
about the coast knew him well. The
other was Jerry Clarke, and few we're
the people who knew one that did not
know the other, for they were always
together, in health and in sickness, in
sunshine and in storm, upon tie shore
or upon the sea.
1t was near noon when they stood
there, and they were looking off to sea,
where brig of war was standing in
under reefed topsails. This brig was
an Englishman, and she had been of
the mouth of the river nearly two
weeks, much to the discomfort of a
fleet Of lumberman, who were anchored
along shore up the stream.
Il tell you what, jerry" said Sam
Latham, after lie had gazed some ten
minutes upon the English brig in
silence, "we'er fairly shut up here. BY
the great Moses, it's too bad. If we
only had our lumber down shore. we
would have our dollars hard an fast.
But it's no use. We can't get by that
sneaken' peep"
"By thunder, I'd like to sink 'em,"
was Jerry's emphatic response.
Like TOP" iterated Sam. "Wouldn't
I sink 'em if could!''
While they we're thus conversing on
the inject of the enemy, they become
aware of the approach of a third party.
and on turning they saw an old gen.
tleman whom they at once recognized
as Mr.. Webb, very wealthy man,
who owned much OF the shipping in
the river. He approached our two
friends, and after having gazed few
moments upon the blockading brig, he
turned TO Latham and said:
Sam, I've come down to make a
proposition to you. I've got four
hundreds barrels of beef that must be
run into Portland. and l declare |
can't send it over the land. Now that
brig must be got rid of at some rate. y
Both Sam and Jerry, had eyes and
ears open, for this accorded exactly
with their own feelings.
I'm ready" was Sans response;
'only show me the way, and give me a
chance, and III do anything"
"Well, returned Webb, II can raise
seventy-five men, and arm them; and
they're men that'll do their duty, il
need be. l know them all, for they
have all, or nearly all, sailed for me at
different times. There are forty
coasters up the river here, close by,
and We can have nearly every man OF
their crews if somebody will only take
the lead, and put them in fair way te
work. Now if you'll contrive some
way to get them abroad brig, I'll give
you one hundred dollars. Come, now
sci your wits at work."
.'By thunderl" muttered Sam, as he
cast his eyes off upon the brig. 1t was
simple ejacu ation, and was only
thrown out as sort of index to the
date Of his feelings. He looked upor
the brig awhile, and then upon the
sand at his feet, and then he looked
into Mr.. Webb's face.
"What do you say Sam?"
Just as Webb spoke, the brig tacket
and started off.
THAT'S the way the saucy thing
works. Sam muttered; "standin' of
an on here just to bother us an steal
our bread and butter. Let me think
Squire, just let me think y
For some moments old Latham
thought, and the look of earnestnes
which rested upon his features, ado
nervous working of his hands, showed
that he was thinking to some purpose
Jerry" he said, addressing hi
companion, and speaking in thought
full manner, sit is going to be dark t.
night"
Clarke raised his eyes to the heaven:
aud then held up his hand to ascsr
tain which way the wind came from.
ut will, sartain," he said. 1T
poin' to be thick to night, an no mis-
take. Them clouds are comm over
an, | reckon twill rain some, too"
Latham looked into Jerry's face fo
some moments, and then he turned te
ward Webb.
"I'll tell you what It's, SQUIRE" h
said. IF / Can have your old sloop-
the Sally Armand seventy-fve mer
we'll armed, I'll run out this ver
night. If it's as dark as ! think 'twi
be. we can board the Englishmsn
spite of his teeth"
..Goodp' ejaculaculated Webb. sci
ing Sam by the hand. 1.-THE sloop
empty. and in good order. and the me
shall all he abroad before DARK.
..Then let's be off. Come, Jerry Y
are in for it now. You'll 60 with mef
"Won't?' uttered jerry. with
Quick sparkle of the eye. That vi
Jerry's method Of giving very d
cided affirmative.