The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
s9S999535333 39939S99S33
CAP'N TOM WOOLLEY. !
&c. BY GRANT ALLEN. ... \
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

beautiful swimmer. Never seen a
young lady as could swim out like she
could. "Cap'n Tom 'Oolley," she'd usel
70 say to me, Il just love the water"
She came here every year. She said
she never could take to anywheres like
the coast of Cornwall. But after that
last year, she never come again. Seems
as if Bill-'o-my-sou must have give her
a distaste o the Cornish folk like.
The young lady's name l was speak
in of was Noe. She was a Miss Pfyce,
O London; but through knowing of
her so intimate like, we always called
her by her given name, Miss Noe. She
was at home with the children, you
see, and my missus was fonder of her
than of any other folks as ever took
our lodgings, same as she might be
with your good lady, sir, begging your
pardon. She was Il fine-built young
woman, too, was Miss Noe. See her
Chamber up the rocks, you'd say she
was goat; see her swim ag'in the
waves, you'd say she was a seal; see
her tell the little ones stories by the
rocks at night, you'd say she was one
o these book-writers, as it might 6o
yourself, sir. Fine outstanding young
lady, too, with a color in her cheek
and a spring in her step, walking free
across Mullyon moors the same as if
they belonged to her.
Well, it wasn't long before we per-
ceived Miss Noe was pretty good friends
with a gentleman up to Browns, Mr..
Moore, from Exeter. He was nice
young doctor, come to Kynance for his
holiday, and when them two went out
walking together, with her father and
mother hanging about like for company,
as is the way with parents, a finer
young couple you'd never set eyes on.
At the end of fortnight my wife says
to me, Tom" says she, sit amt Mr..
Moore no more with our young lady;
it's plain Alex this morning" His
name being Alexander, it was Alex for
short, as is the new fashion now, though
when l was young twas Alick or else
Sandy.
"An' good thing, too" says I. For
a young lady like Miss Noe had ought
tc marry one as is her natural equal"
says l, not meaning in birth alone, as is
a thing [ don't hold with; nor yet in
money, as there amt no counting upon;
but fine outstanding young lady, to
my mind, deserves to be married to a
fine outstanding young fellow, or
where'd the country get its soldiers
and sailors from?
"And a handsome couple they'll
make" says my missus, being fond of
Miss Noe.
Well, one of they days, Mr.. Moore
that's AleX-he went out swimming off
the rocks by the cove, and Miss Noe,
she was ashore, sitting high on the
cliff, reading a book or something. But
every now and again my wife sees her
raise her head and look out to sea,
anxious like, after the heads bObbing
about like buoys in the water. At last,
up she jumps and runs down to the
cottage, all breathless. l could see in
minute her heart was in her
mouth. ooh, Cap'n Tom" she says,
"Cap'n Tom, do look out at Alex.
He's swimming over there, an it
seems to me he's in some sort o.
trouble"-love having eyes as can see
better'n binocular.
Well, gets down my telescope, an
1 fixes it upon him. He was mile out
to sea-a black speck on the water. I
gets him well fixed. Sure enough, there
he was, throwing his arms up wild
and trying to make signs to the shore
for help.
rs it cramp?' says the young lady.
Don't you believe it, says l. There's
a deal more nonsense talked about
cramp in swimming nor there need be.
A man can't swim forever" says l, ''let
him be so strong as you like" says l.
Tired out, that's what l calls it," says
I. "And tired out Mr. Alex was, sure
enough, by the look of him"
"Oh, Cap'n Tom" says the young
lady, will you save him." wringing
her hands in a way that might melt
stone, let alone Christian.
1 was halfway down to my boat by
that time.
Save him." says I. at is the saving
of him? Bless your heart, if he warn't
no friend of yourn at alias man to
man-Pd save him. Bill-o'-my SOUL"
says 1, seeing Bill on the shore, come
and help me-" says 1. "There's a gen
tleman drownding."
"Drowpding?" says Bill, running
down and putting out. Come on"
says Bill. I'm with you!" His name
being Bill-o'-my-soul, along of his hav-
ing been such a favorite when he was
young with all the young women.
Well, we put off and rowed, Bill taxi
ing one of the sweeps-as is our name
for the long oars-and me the other.
After awhile it struck me we wasn't
heading outward. Hooked up, and saw,
and we was most turned toward shore
again. I'd pulled the boat around on
Bill-which l didn't understand, he
being then a stronger man nor me to
pull-not but what, when l was in my
best days, I'd have pulled boat against
any man in England.
BILL" says I, sharp, you're not a.
pullin'."
He looks up at me rather odd.
Mate" says he, quiet like, I'm no fool.