The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1897-06-05
THE CAPTAINS LOVE.

No, I've never been shipwrecked
or been in collision all the time
I've been to sea--a matter now of
over 40 years. But I've carried some
queer passengers in my time I'll
tell you about two who exercised a
powerful influence over me, 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
tall, spare man, with iron gray
hair and had slight stoop at the
shoulders.
Good day, captain, said he. II
only heard this morning that you
were sailing for England, and l 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
booked this trip, and they are sec
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 precipitancy and wondered
where the daughter was to come
from, for she was not visible any
where.
gave instructions to the appren-
tices 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 heard light football behind
me, and, turning round, l beheld
the fairest vision of loveliness that
ever frightened my saloon
my daughter-Captain Harnott, p"
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 me squarely in the
face out of her laughing blue eyes,
said:
"Im sure we shall be good friends,
captain, during the voyage
She spoke with charming colo
nial accent, and from that moment
/ 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, was a comparatively
young man then.
Leaving them to arrange their
cabins to their own satisfaction,
ascended the companion steps and
went on deck. 1t certainly occupied
them considerable time, for nei-
ther father nor daughter appeared
on deck until the ship was well out
side the Heads and the tug had
returned to port.
That voyage | look back upon as
the happiest and saddest | 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-
tons. l used to pace the quarter
deck in the morning, impatient for
her first appearance. On the dullest
or dirtiest day it was like ray of
sunshine suddenly bursting forth
from lowering sky to see her
emerge from the companion hatch,
looking as fresh as a daisy and a
thousand times more lovely.
OF course it was only natural that
my mates should fall i'll love with
her also, but she treated them with
marked indifference if not absolute
coldness. Her smiles We're 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
iectation, while / would sit on a set
tee alongside and gaze rapturously