The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1897-07-23

land. His glance idly wandered down
the .harbor of Monument Beach until it
suddenly rested on point not far from
shore.
"There now, don't see what good
that little sharpe of Cap'n Percy's is
dom any one. It's been lying here gOin
on month and not hired out yet. None
of those summer folks want it. Mr.
Brown just give it one try, and shifted
right out: She drifts. Wouldn't even
do for my boy Sam. She needs more
centerboard. Now, mebbe so; but l
don't much b'lieve it. see Cap'n Toney
take that fourteen-foOt wherry of his and
sail fright out in the teeth of nor nor
wester as Eif 'twere nothin' but capful
and not a winter blow, as twas. But
then, don't 'spose | could, nor Mr. Brown
either, for all he's got twenty-rater.
It's in your hand, it is; that's what. If
had boat might-his voice fell from
its low but nervous pitch into slightly
awed tone-"I might learn to sail the
way they say Father did"
Bob! Bob What yer dom? Dyer
expect to ketch bluefish a-sittin' there?''
shrilly called a small boy who stood by
the boat shop.
"Nup" responded Bob, laconically.
"If do, you1l ketch a green fish,"
1.-The cap'n's a-callin' yer. He wants
yer to take that party often his boat"
Bob picked up the anchor of one OF
the boats stranded on the beach, and
pushed Off mechanically. His thoughts
were still running on the sharpe. 1t did
seem shame to leave it there idly
swinging round its post with the ebb and
flow of the tide. 1t was just the boat
for him to learn with. But how could
he get it? He had no money.
Silently Bob rowed out to the sloOp.
He even forgot to say "Howdy" to the
captain as he put alongside and took the
stone Jug that the captain asked him to
fill with fresh water at the pump in the
summer pavilion. He had nothing but
monosyllables for the queries Of his
passengers. Indeed, he scarcely noticed
that they stared at him, and remarked
that there was something the matter
with Bob that day. If boys soul
could turn into boat, Bob's had.
When Bob got back to the sloop he re-
marked cautiously: "Fine sharpe that
black one of yours"
AS this was an unusual remark for
Bob to make, the captain eyed him
queerly.
Eyes, she's a good boat il man
knows how to sail her. See here, young
Teller, you've got some scheme aboard.
Out with it!'
"Nothin', 'cept you don't aeem to have
much lettin' her."
"Thet's so. I'm losin' more money
on her than there's fathoms in my lead
line."
"Shouldn't have thought that" re-
Joined Bob, "but say, sCap'n, H'd ruther
like to know much you're askin' for her;
that's il it's no harm"
why, don't mind tellin' We, seem
it's you. She's about ten, twelve foot,
and good, IL she Is little old. TIE be-
sure, some things aboard her might be
better; but guess she's worth fifteen
dollars for hire, and twenty-five out
right"
Bob screwed up his courage. eff
II, !" he stammered-'' had the money
rd-I'd--like to hire her."
"How's that?' said the captain, sharp
ly, swinging himself around SO as to
look Bob full in the face. s'I'll be--well,
blazed If | know what you'd do with
her.,
sits just as say, Cap'n," replied the
boy, half doggedly. "You see, gram
father was sailor, father was cap'n.
and want to be one too. But I've got
to learn, and don't see how I'm to do 1t
without boat
"Wal, wal now, / s'pose thet's so. I
'spose, too, it's nat'ral for likely lad