The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-08-13

of the foremost trucks, his lighted
lamp swinging in his hand. -
"Ten wagons here" he sung ut to
the clerk, "bunkers for the Tusk4r will
be ready for her to make a start first
thing in the morning" Jumping of
his hazardous seat, and picking his way
carefully over the intervening rails to
the Office, he regarded the shipping
clerk somewhat curiously.
81 passed the police station" he went
on, "just afore l came away with the
tram, and l seed big gent attacking to
the sergint. In great rage he was.
They're comm along" and he jerked
his thumb significantly shorewards.
Something about lady, l heard mem
ton and his eyes sought the closed
door of the office.
Without word the shipping clerk re-i
entered the box, and repeated what heI
had heard.
The girl chung to her lover, for that
they were lovers was plain enough,j
even to the unsentimental beholder. A
few words from the captain put the
clerk in possession of the facts, which
were plain enough. 1t was another case
of true love, an heiress, harsh guard
| ian, a detested guardians son, and a
miserable home. Rather than go back
to the weary round of prosecution the
girl tearfully declared she woald go
somewhere and work for her ivinf
BEST thing you can do misAs'f I'D
the shipping clerk, meditatiyel tS5fsx;
to marry the captain right away
'How can we get a parson at this
time of night, man?" was the captains
impatient reply.
Don't want one; this is Scotland; \
join hands afore witnesses, accept each
other as man and wife, and yer married
hard and fast"
The girl started back, blushing furi-
ously, and the captain stood uneasily.
Cautiously the door opened, and the
old Waterman put his head in. beg
parding," he said, "but them police are
coming up the pier with that mister We
had the words with"
rs the railway man outside yet?"
asked the shipping clerk.
GAY, I'm here" and the red-capped
pilot" pushed in at the doorway, curl
osity written large on every feature, but
still the girl hung back.
| Heavy footsteps rung outside, draw
ing nearer every moment. The girl
made a frightened movement to the
captains side, and their eyes met. A
nod from the captain, and
CLAP on all steam" in a gruff voice,
was sufficient for the shipping clerk.
Come inside, both of you men. Turn
the key in the door, Peter" and the old
| to the panels.
"Ye see, it's this way This is Capt.
Harry Thomas. of the Tuskar, as both
of Yer know veil, and this young lady is
Miss-eXcuse me, miss, but 1 haven't
quite got hold of your name?"
Ethel Morrison" came in whisper
from the girl.
yes, this is Miss Ethel Morrison, and
the one is going to have the other fer a
| husband, and the tother is going to
| have the tother for a wife. That is
what they call a purpose of marriage, We
| understands
A couple of mods with wide grins was
the response. ~
Sharp rappings at the door took place,
while the handle was tried; and pressed
close to the window panes were the
| faces of the police sergeant and Mr..
Gordon, with, as a background indis-
| tinctly outlined in the darkness, the
forms Of some OF the Tuskar's crew, and
few stragglers who had followed the
pouicemen along the pier. In impera-
| tive accents, Mr.. Gordon demanded adj
mittance, and shook the door violently.
"Do you, Ethel Morrison, take this
man as your lawful husband?" con-
tinued the shipping clerk, gravely pune
| tuating each word with a shake of
his extended forefnger.
Yes" was the almost inaudible re-
Spouse.
"Ye heard that, Peter, and you, Bill ?"
Mods again; gravely this time.
"Do you, Harry Thomson, master of
the steamship Tuskar, take this woman
as your lawful wife?"
81 do was the firm response.
| anu y { u lildl llhcWloSs y Ou bWO
| Speak out, men,
"Ay, / did that" and "Yes, right
enough were the replies.
"Then declare you two, Harry Thomp-
son and Ethel Morrison, now man and
wife. And those whom God has joined,
| let no man dare put asunder. Now wait
till write out the charter-party." And
calmly unheeding the repeated knock
ing at the door, and the wondering
| faces glued to the window, the shipping
clerk took blank customs bill of entry
form and wrote on the plain reverse the
| necessary certificate Of marriage,
which was signed by all.
"Now, Captain and Mrs. Thomson"
he went on, as he damped sheet of the
copy-book and proceeded to take book
impression of the document, 81 wish
you all happiness. Here's your certifi-
cate, Mrs. Thompson. Open the door,
Peter"
And later, as the shipping clerk
walked homcward along the pier, pipe
in mouth, he observed refectively to
himself, as round a sharp bend his eyes
r Al. s4C.