The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1897-04-23
The New Skipper Of The Money.

Yes, and fast, too"
"That's her best point. in my estima-
ton"
With skillful turn of the wheel, that
was SO little as to seem almost Il toy.
Joe Parsons brought the trim steam
launch gracefully around the end of the
pier and up beside the floating stage,
with a vancouver So clever that the new
paint on the side of the little craft was
not scraped.
| Fred Allen sprang out upon the stage,
and then, running his eye along the lines
of the boat, repeated his remark:
"She's beauty, and, as you say, fast.
Jove, she cuts the air at such Il rate that
she carries a cool breeze with her on the
hottest night
Then, with Il cordial Good night
Allen lightly climbed the ladder that led
to the pier, while Parsons, after pre-
liminnry foot Of the little steam whistle,
backed slowly out into the stream. and
then kept up the North river at full
| speed.
"A beauty, in,leed,'' he kept repeating
to himself, thrilling with strange pride
at the thought of being owner, master
and crow of such Il saucy little marine
creature.
For the Nancy seemed almost alive to
him. He was a bookkeeper in down.
town bank. sober. Industrious, loyal,
and good-hearted fellow. who preferred
the pleasures that do not appeal to the
general run of young men.
Two years before he had conceived the
! idea that for at least six months i'll the
year it would give him great pleasure to
spend his evenings and holidays III just
such Il craft as he now possessed.
The Nancy had consumed $1,000 of his
|
was happy. and what is money compared
to happiness.
First the launch spurted ahead at her
best speed, then slowed down to hardly
more than half speed all the while her
shrill whistle footed much more fire.
quently than is required by the laws of
navigation. Joe was playing with his
boat as some men do with a fine horse,
as Il woman does with her laughing first
| born.
In and out among the larger river
craft the Nancy glided Several times
he all but got in the way of tugs and
ferryboats, but these experiences only
made his miniature voyage the more ex-
citing.
| One Of the maneuvers carried him
close to the piers on the New York side
of the river.
Suddenly Joe looked ahead just in time
to see human figure shoot from the end
of Il pier and strike the water with a
splash
At that moment the Nancy was not
more than twenty yards away.
"A suicide!' burst from Joes lips.
Then: But I'll spoil the game
The launch sped quickly to the spot.
i then hesitated and almost stood still I'M
der the influence of sudden reversal of
! the engine.
In that pause of an instant Joe leaned
over owe! the side and found himself grasp
ing Il young woman. j
The next moment the Nancy began to
go backward through the water, but Joe
had lifted the sylph-lka form into the
boat. and now the youlig lady lay be-
tween him and the engilfe.:
Her wide open eyes std red at him in a
peculiar fashion.
'Do you do this often:" he uueried,
not Knowing what else to say.
\ sigh was the only answer
III must scold her." thought Joe
SO he began:
Miss. don't you know that suicide is
WOrld:''
The expression OH her face changed to
one of relief
eyes, she answered.
Then why did you jump into the
water?''
$50 you didn't see me''-she began.
but stopped in sudden confusion
| Il saw you just as you struck the
water he answered.
\ sigh-this time one of unmistakable
relief escaped her.
"Why did You try to- he went on
sternly.
"Dont-don't ask me-" she pleaded
Don't SAX you what?'
'Don't ask me anything. please! l
shall be greatly, obliged to YOU if you
will humor me-
"Well you are a queer girl he COM
mentcd. You reach the point where
life has no further charms for you, and
then immediately begin to ask favors."
Under pretense of working at the en-
CINE, he managed to turn the little Ian
tern so that it shed Il fuller light upon
her face
The cheeks were pallid-naturally. Joe
lnWardly conmented-hut the great. ten
der eyes and inexpressibly sweet face did
not belong to Il woman who would de-
liberatcly end her life
1t was face with which any man not
wholly brute would be unable to avoid
falling in love.
See here came suddenly from Joe.
You didn't really mean to jump into the
water?''
"Oh. but YOU promised. sir, to ask me
i didn't promise; it wa.s you who
made the request
Il make it again" she pleaded. Sure
ly YOU will humor me-
And do everything else that you ask"
cried Joe, suddenly, overwhelmed and
conquered by the most wonderful little
face be had ever seen. What shall
do, first of all?''
Talk about something cheerful" she
urged with Il SILVER.
"Well, i'll the first place, you're GER
tainly wet, and you must be cold.'
=, oh. no; the night is too warm for
wv ont you take a little taste of this
6randy!, he suggested, producing his
flask: ut MAJ, save you from catching
a severe cold.' She took the flask. but
only the merest drop passed her lips
Then Joe, in obedience to her whim,
branched out into dissertations on the
most general topics: He felt that he was
pleased her. for soon she joined in his
talk. and displayed not only uncommon
intelligence, but vivacity that was
hardly to be expected.
All this time they had been speeding.
up the North river. Joe suddenly awak-
that they were opposite Harlem
Where shall l land your he asked
| 'Anywhere; l must be getting home"
| And may | escort you .there?'
| "Oh, no; not for worlds
Her look was both pleading and fright
ened.
"At least, may I call tomorrow, to
make sure that you have not suffered
from your exposureY'
:"Please don't think of doing that,
| either. And don't try to find out any
thing about me-
! II am gentleman" said Joe. with a
| simplicity that must have touched her.
| The boat had landed by this time. She
stood UP, shook out her garments-which
out her hand.
"GoodBy," she said. and thank you
| thank you for more than l can tell you
| We shall probably never meet again. but
1 shall always look back upon you as
one Of my friends. Thank you, again,