Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-04-29
THE CAPTAINS LOVE

I've been to Sea-a matter now of
over 40 years But I've carried some
queer passengers i'll my time. I'll
tell you about two who exercised a
powerful influence over mo, but
whether for good or evil you shall
hear presently.
1t was in the fall of 1872, just
when on the eve of sailing, that an
old gentleman stepped on board and
hurriedly approached me. He was
n tall, spare man, with iron gray
hair and had a slight stoop ut the
shoulders.
Good day, captain" said he. Il
only heard this morning that you
were sailing for England, and has
tened down to ascertain if you could
find accommodation for myself and
daughter at so short notice"
"Certainly," l replied in my
hearty way. II shall be only too
pleased to take you. AS it happens,
there are only three passengers
pOSNNt II anu lllSN Z ctC-
ond class, so you can have the sa-
loon pretty much to yourselves
He thanked me effusively and dis
appeared into the saloon. marvel
ed at his prccipitancy and wondered
where the daughter was to come
from, for she was not visible any
where
! gave instructions to the appren-
tees to have their luggage convey
ed on board, and myself superin-
tended the slowing away of their
trunks in the two best appointed
cabins in the ship. While so en-
gagged l heard light football behind
me, and, turning round, I beheld
the fairest vision of loneliness that
ever frightened my saloon.
My daughter-Captain Harnott, "
said Mr.. Brandon, introducing us.
was so taken aback by her ex-
ceeding beauty that l awkwardly
touched my cap, and, with the wind
clean taken out of my sails, STAN
mered:
Glad to see you, miss.
She placed her soft, little white
hand in my big, sun Drowned paw,
and, looking mo squarely in the
face out of her laughing blue eyes,
said:
I'm sure we shall be good friends,
captain, during the voyage"
She spoke with charming colo
NAL accent, and from that moment
l was her most devoted, humble
servant, slave, anything you like. ]
went head over ears in love with
her at sight. You may smile; but,
recollect, l was comparatively
young man then.
Leaving them to arrange their
cabins to their own satisfaction,
assembled the companion steps and
went on deck. 1t certainly occupied
them considerable time, for nei.
Their father nor daughter appeared
on deck until the ship was we'll out
side the "Heads" and the tug had
returned to port.
That voyage look back upon as
the happiest and saddest I ever
made. Miss Brandon was a splendid
sailor. In fair weather or foul she'd
be on deck, delighting me with the
admiration she expressed for my
handsome three masted clipper and
the childlike naivete of her ques-
tions. l used to pace the quarter
deck in the morning, impatient for
her first appearance. On the dullest
or dirtiest day it was like a ray of
sunshine suddenly bursting forth
from n lowering sky to see her
emerge from the companion hatch,
looking as fresh as a daisy and a
thousand times more lovely.
or course it was only natural that
my mates should fall in love with
her also, but she treated them with
marked Indifference if not absolute
GOODNESS. Her smiles were all re-
served for me, and she lavished
them upon me in no niggardly man
ner.
There was piano in the saloon,
and often in the long evenings she
would sing and play for my sole de-
location, while ! would sit on "A set
tee alongside and gaze rapturouslv
into her pretty face. The song
liked best was tom Bowling" and
she infused such an amount of pa
thos into her expression that the
tears would sometimes trickle down
my weather beaten cheeks as she
sang. All, those were happy days
1t was heaven while it lasted
have scarcely mentioned her IA
ther yet The fact is was so en-
crossed with his beautiful daughter
that l didn't pay SO much attention
to him as perhaps I ought. At the
best he was saturnine, unsociable
sort of person, who seemed to pre-
fer his own company to other peo-
pies. When not in his own cabin,
where he spent most of his time, he
was walking with his hands clasped
behind him, apparently deep in
thought, in the waist of the ship
Sometimes, when standing idly at
the break of the poop, have caught
myself wondering if he had ever
committed crime the remem-
brance of which was weighing heav-
lily on his consciece. was destined
soon to learn more about him.