The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-09-12

backed along the pier, the rcd-capped
"pilot" sitting outside one of the buffers
of the foremost trucks, his lighted
lamp swinging in his hand.
"Ten wagons here" he sung out to
the clerk, 'bunkers for the Tuskar will
be ready for her to make 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.
II passed the police station, !" he went
on, "just afore came away with the
tram, and seed big gent attacking to
the sergint. In a great rage he was.
They're comm along" and he jerked
his thumb significantly shorewards.
Something about lady, heard men,
tion," and his eyes sought the closed
door of the Office.
Without word the shipping clerk re-
jentered the box, and repeated what he
had heard.
Il The girl chung to her lover, for that
lithey were lovers was plain enough,
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, detested guardians son, and a
miserable home. Rather than go back
to the weary round of prosecution the
| girl tearfully declared she would go
somewhere and work for her living.
"Best thing You can do, MISS" said
the shipping clerk, meditatively, sis
to marry the captain right away"
SLOW can we get a parson at this
time of night, MANI" 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"
| as the railway man outside yet?r
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 frightened movement to the
captains side, and their eyes met. A
| nod from the captain, and
"Clap on all steam," in gruff voice,
| was sufficient for the shipping clerk.
"Come inside, both of you men. Turn
the key in the door, Peter" and the old
Waterman did SO, and placed his back
to the panels.
"Ye see, it's this way. This is Capt.
Harry Thomas, of the Tuskar, as both
of yer know well, and this young lady is
Miss-excuse me, miss, but / haven't
quite gor hol.l 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 purpose of marriage, We
understand"
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 o. the Tuskar's crew, and
few stragglers who had followed the
pouicemen along the pier. In impera-
tive accents, Mr. Gordon demanded ad-
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 shake OF
his extended forefnger.
"Yes," was the almost inaudible re.
Spouse.
aye 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"
Il do, was the firm response.
"Andye heard that likewise, you two?
Speak out, men,"
"Ay, I did that" and "Yes, right
enough" were the replies.
, "Then declare you two, Harry Thomp
son and Ethel Morrison, now man end
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. rs he damped sheet Of the
copy-book and proceeded to take book |