The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-10


ing to see "A parson. Run upstairs and
play with your dolls. and if you're a
good girl I'll bring you in some
sweets"
He put on is hat and. closing tn"
front door with "a bang, went off to the
new rector to knock two years Off the
age which his daughter kept for pur-
poses of matrimony. The rector srieved
at such duplicity in one so young. met
him more than half way, and he came
out from him smiling placidly until
his attention was attracted by young
man on the other side of the road who
was regarding him with manifest awk-
wardness.
Good evening. Captain Poison" he
said. crossing the road.
"Oh," said the captain, stopping, 81
wanted to speak tn you. ] suppose you
wanted to marry my daughter whlic
| was out of the way to save trouble
Just the manly thing | should have
expected of you, I've stopped the
banns, and I'm going to take her for
a voyage with me. You'll nave TO look
elsewhere. my lad"
"The ill-feeling is all on your side,
captain" said Metcalfe, reddening.
"Ill-feeling?" snorted the captain;
"you nut me in the witness box ana
made me laughing stock in the place
with your silly attempts at jokes, lose
me five hundred pounds and then try
and marry my daughter while I'm at
sea. Ill-feeling he hanged
THAT was business, said the other.
1T was" said the captain, land this
is business. too. Mind. I'll look after
it, promise you. I think know who'll
look silly this time. I'd sooner see my
girl in Heaven than married to Il rascal
Of lawyer"
You'd want good eyesight," retortz
ed Metcalfe. who was becoming ruffled.
II don't want to handy words with
YOU" said the captain with dignity.
after a long pause devoted to thinking
of something worth bandying. YOU
think you're clever fellow. but !
know a cleverer. You're quite welcome
to marry my daughter if you can"
lie turned on his heel and. refusing to
listen to any further remarks. went on
his way rejoicing. Arrived home. ne
lit his niDe and, throwing himself into
an armchair. related his exploits.
Chrisse had recourse to her handker-
chief again. more for effect than use.
but Miss Poison. who was tender
soul, took hers out and wept unre-
strainedly. At first the captain took II
well enough. il was a tribute to his
power but when they took to sobbing
one against the other his temper rose.
and he sternly commanded silence.
II shall be like-this-every day at
sea-" sobbed Chrissie. vindictively,
only worse, making us all ridiculous"
stop that noise directly vociferat-
ed the captain.
I'VE c--c--can't." sobbed Miss Pol
son.
And we DIDN'T want to-" said
Chrissip 'It'S all xUa nnn do aud WARN
going to do it. You'd better g-go out
and stop something else. You c-can't
stop us"
The captain took the advice and went.
and in the billiard room of the George"
heard some news which set him think !
ing. and which brought him back some |
what earlier than he had at first in
tended. A small group at his gate
broke up into its elements at his ap-
proach, and the CAPTAIN following his |
sister and daughter into the room sat
down and eyed them severely.
80 you're going to run Off to London |
to get married are you. MISS" he said
ferociously. well. we'll see. You |
don't go out of my sight until we sail. !
and If ] catch that pettifogging lawyer |
round at my gate again, I'll break ev-
cry bone in his body. Mind that
For the next three days the captain |
kept his daughter under observation ,
and never allowed her to stir abroad ex-
cept in (his company. The evening of |
the third day. to his own great surprise.
he snent at Dorcas. The company
was not congenial. several of the ladies |
putting their work away and glaring
frigidly at the intruder. and though
they could see clearly that he was
suffering greatly made no attempt to
put him at his ease. lie was very
thoughtful all the way home. and the
next day took a partner into the concern
in the shape of his boatswain.
You understand. Tucker" he con-
cluded, as the hapless seaman stood in +
Il cringing attitude before Chrissie.
that you never let my daughter out,
of your sight. When she goes out you
go with her"
''Yessir." said Tucker land suppose
she tells me TO go home, what am r.
to do them"
You're fool said the captain, !
sharply. 1T doesn't matter what she /
says or does: unless you are in the same
room you are never to be more than (
three yards from her"
Make 1t four. cap'n." said the boat /
swain. in a broken voice
Three" said the captain. 'and mind.
she's artful. All girls are. and she'll |
try and give YOU the slip. I've had in /
formation given me as to what's going .
on. Whatever happens you are not to /
leave her"
II wish you'd get somebody else. .
sir" said Tucker. very respectfully. /
There's "A lot of chaps aboard thatd .
like the job"
you're the only man I can trust" .
said the captain. shortly. when |
give you orders ! know they'll be
obeyed. Its your watch now
He went out humming. Chrssie took
up book and sat down. utterly ienor- ,
ing the oe-begone figure which stood
the regulation thre" yards from her.
twisting its cap In it's hands
81 hope. Miss" said the boatswain.
after standing patiently for three guar
ters of an hour. las 'ow you won't think
! sought arter this ere little JOB
mo-" said Dolly. without looking
Tim just Obeying orders continued
the boatswain II always git let i'm for
these ere little jobs. somehow. The mon
keys I've 'ad to look arter aboard ship .
would frighten you. There never was
a monkey on the Monarch but what | .
was in charge of. That's what man
gets by being trustworthy"
Just So" said Chrissie putting down
her book. "Well. I'm going into the
kitchen now. Come along nursie."
ERE. ! say. miss" demonstrated
Tucker. flushing.
~ don't know how Susan will like
your going to her Kitchen" said Chris
sie. thoughtfully; however, that's
your business"
The unfortunate seaman followed his
fair charge into the kitchen. and lean
ing against the door-post doubled up
like a linn rag before the terrible
glance of its mistress.
''Ho." said Susan. who took the state
of affairs as an insult to the sex i'm gen.
era1. land what might you be want
ing"
"Cap'n's orders" murmured Tucker
feebly..
I'm .captain here" said Susan. con-