The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-06-06

49, D~O--O
it contained, in the Captains kit, anC
nearly all night long they stayed OF
deck talking and making plans which
beat any fairy tales in Grimms. The
Captains thoughts were mostly of hi
little daughter at home. Oh, l tel
you, she was to live in silk, and lie or
rose-leaves, and drink out of GOLD
teapot for the rest of her life!
"By and by thick fog arose, anc
they went below, but the Captain
only slept enough to dream queer
dreams and hear strange sounds
And at dawn Jack Mcclure declared
he had not closed an eye.
"They we're up, all ready to lower
boat at sunrise; Jack armed with a
bag, which was, as he said, to carry
fruit from the island.
But something happened.
"The crew were staring in fright at
the clearing mist, and the first mate
was vowing they couldn't stay in any
such seas. The Captain shouted
aloud to Jack Mcclure, and Jack
rubbed his eyes and stared outward!
There was a world of CLASSY sea
around them as far as sight could
reach. The sun came up, a rel ball
out of the waves, with nothing but
sky above and sea beneath.
1.-THE island wasn't there!" Deborah
Knox tapped her needle on her hand.
"I'm telling you the plain facts, now
mind. There wasn't any more island
than there is in the middle of this
room. Not bit. Oh, but the two
men raved around! They lowered a
boat and made off post haste, with
the hope that fog was deceiving
them. But their own eyes showed
that there wasn't any fog. Now, you
know, sailors believe things that
landsmen laugh at. Well, there's no
telling which is right, but they set
sail from those parts double quick,
and Jack Mcclure was about to
throw the silver vase overheard, but
the Captain rescued it and took it
home to his little daughter, and
sakes alive, it's nine o'clock Debo-
rah rolled up her knitting. "You
ought to have been in bed half an
hour ago"
ooh, but, Deborah, please tell us
what became of the island" we cried.
"Noy listen!" said Deborah Knox,
rising. "As if | knew! The Captain
made inquiries afterwards, and dis
covered that in certain seas nearabout
where he had been there was said tc
be small island much feared by
sailors, because at a certain part oil
the year it disappeared"
"Under the water?" said Evelyn, in
whisper.
at just wasn't there, that was all,
said Deborah.
"And the jewels Jack carried away
in the vase?" [ asked.
"There wasn't many of them. He
and the Captain divided, and they
fitted up the Crazy Jane spick and
span from stem to stern, and made
their plans to go back the coming
year at the right season and look fol
the island. But their next voyage wa:
the last. The Crazy Jane was lost.
"And this is really the vase" sale
Evelyn, touching it reverently. "Oh,
do wish knew who it belonged tC
first
"Some wicked old king, maybe,
said Deborah, putting it in its flame
cover.
"And wouldn't you like to have the
gold teapot, Deborah?" said /.
well" said Deborah, medilatively
II reckon a good pewter ones better
for common use, but | do say that il
there'd been woman along shed
have worn that gold one off with hel
some way. Women always find g
way. Now go to bed, both of you"
Once under the covers that night
my little sister said:
Solid gold and filled with jewels
/ know what I'd be, if l was a man.
WHAT l whispered, in the dark
ness.
"A sailor, and go hunt for De
borahs teapot" said she.-Ihe ont
look.