Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-07-29
CAP'N TOM WOOLLEY. s
a.. BY GRANT ALLEN. ... B

could. "Cap'n Tom cooley" she'd use.l
10 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 -soul must have give her
a distaste o. the Cornish folk like.
The young lady's name was speak
in of was Noe. She was Miss Pryce,
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 fine-built young
woman, too, was Miss Noe. See her
chamber up the rocks, you'd say she
was a goat; see her swim agin 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 be
yourself, sir. Fine outstanding young
lady, too, with a color in her cheeL
and a spring in her step, walking free
across Mullyon moors the same as II
they belonged to her.
Well, it wasn't long before we per-
ceived Miss Noe was pretty good friends
with a gentleman up 10 Browns. Mr..
Moore, from Exeter. He was a 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, ''it 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
young lady like Miss Noe had ought
&c marry one as is her natural equal"
says |, not meaning in birth alone, as is
a thing | don't hold with; nor vet in
money, as there amt no counting upon
but fine outstanding young lady, TO
my mind, deserves to be married to
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 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 i
about like buoys in the water. At last.
up she jumps and runs down TO the
cottage, all breathless. / could see in !
minute her heart was in her
mouth. "Oh, Cap'n Tom" she says.
''Cap'n Tom, do look out at Alex.
He's swimming over there, an II
seems TO me he's in some sort o.
having eyes as can see
better'n binocular.
Well, gets down my telescope, an
fixes it upon him. He was a mile out
10 sea-a black speck on the water. /
gets him well fixed. Sure enough, there
he was, throwing his arms up wild
Ind trying to make signs to the shore
Tor help.
rs IL cramp?" says the young lady.
Don't you believe it," says l. There's
/ deal more nonsense talked about
ramp in swimming nor there need be.
A man can't swim forever" says |, "let
him be so strong as you like" says I.
Tired out, that's what l calls it," says
!. "And tired out Mr.. Alex was, sure
enough, by the look of him."
"oh, Cap'n Tom," says the young
ady, will you save him?" wringing
her hands in a way that might melt a
Itone, let alone Christian.
L was halfway down to my boat by
hat time.
"Save him?" says l. at is the saving
IL him? Bless your heart, if he warn't
10 friend of yourn at alias man to
save him. Bill-o'-my SOUL"
iays I, seeing Bill on the shore, "come
md help me-" says l. There's a gen.
lcman drownding."
"Drownding?" says Bill, running
Town and putting out. Come on"
ays Bill. I'm with you'll" His name
,eing Bill-o'my-soul, along of his hav-
ng been such a favorite when he was
'oung with all the young women.
Well, we put Off and rowed, Bill TAX
ng one of the sweeps-as is our name
or the long oars-and me the other.
after awhile it struck me we wasn't
reading outward. Hooked up, and saw.
md we was most turned toward shore
gain. III pulled the boat around on
| didn't understand. he
'eing then a stronger man nor me to
'ull-not but what, when | was in my
best days, I'd have pulled boat against
my man in England.
BILL" says l, sharp. you're not a.
,ullin'."
He looks up at me rather odd.