The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-04-09

pital, and while in hospital he was Wis
tied by Mr.. Bradley. Mr.. Bradley, who
had once been befriended by the boys
father, said that the bark he was on
was about to sail for New York, and he
undertook to deliver the little fellow
to his friends. But now the poor boy
was again on his way to the other side
of the world.
"While Mr.. Bradley was finishing his
account of how he came by the boy,
Capt. Harris came in from the after
cabin and said that the little fellow
was sleeping nicely. Mr.. Bradley be-
gan to tell the captain about how the
boy was wrecked the first time. Then
the captain rose up, paleand trembling,
and asked the name of the ship. When
Mr.. Bradley gave the name of the ship
that was run down, and said that the
boys father was Capt. Wilson, the skip
per staggered back, and then rushed
into the aftercabin sif he had gone mad.
Wecouldn't make out what was the mat
ter with him. An hour later went into
the after cabin for something, and I
saw the captain leaning over the boy
who was fast asleep. The captain
looked up, and l noticed that his eyes
wereTed, as if he had been crying hard.
Thinks 1: We'll, well, you are an old
maid of captain, indeed
"The next morning we were becalmed.
Near by us lay big clipper ship, which,
toward noon, sent boat to us. The
officer in charge of the clippers boat
said that they were bound for New
York, but were short-handed, and he
told Mr.. Bradley that he and the other
men from the lost barque were well
come to come on board and work their
passage to the United States. Mr..
Bradley jumped at the chance, and when
his men were all ready to leave our
ship, he looked around for the boy.
We found the little fellow in the cabin,
where he was being petted by Capt.
Harris. The captain made great out
cry when Mr.. Bradley said that the
boy would have to 60 with him, Our
skipper begged hard for the youngster,
but Mr.. Bradley said that. he would
have to take him to his friends. Mr..
Bradley was about to lead the youngster
out of the cabin, when Capt. Harris
fell on his knees and put his arms
around the boy. Then he looked up
to Mr.. Bradley and said:
"'You must not take him. | am his
fatherl
Ills father!' replied Mr.. Bradley
What do you mean? Why, knew Capt.
Wilson myself He was at least ten
years older than you. and was a large
man into the bargain. Come. let me
have the boy!'
"'No, no. cried Capt. Harris, press
ing the little fellow still closer to him.
4 may not be his father, but am his
Don't say you're his mother
sneered Mr.. Bradley.
"'Yes, am his mother!' was the re-
ply.
"And with that Capt. Harris pulled
off the heavy black beard mentioned.
There was no doubt about it. The cap
tain had woman's face, and not bad
looking one, either. Mr.. Bradley start
ed back in establishment. and cried:
"'You don't mean to say you are
Capt. Wilson's widow?'
That's exactly what l am said our
skipper, rising to her feet and putting
her beard back into place. After my
, husbands ship had been struck by the
steamer, | was lifted on board of the
other vessel by two of the men. My
husband and child were given up for
lost. although | begged the people to
return and search the wreck for them.
err could not find the wreck in the fog,
and it was supposed that she had foun-
dered Immediately after we left her.
| went home to my friends. My hus-
band had left very little money, and 1
found that l should have to work for
living. didn't care. to hire out as
housekeeper. l had learned navigation
thoroughly from my husband, and was
well fitted to take charge of a ship. l
went to a ship owner who was an old.
friend of my husbands, and told him
just how things stood. He thought
that under the circumstances couldn't
do better than dress up as a man and go
10 sea as a captain. He found me ship,
and I've been a skipper ever since. And
now no one is going to take my boy
away from me-
That they amt said good-hearted
Mr.. Bradley, who then kissed the boy
and shook hands with us all. In five
minutes he and his men were on their
way to the big clipper, and our skipper,
| with her arm around the boy, was lean
Ing against the tafflail waving her hand
TO them.
! Now l understand the captains lik-
Ing for Mr.. Wood. our mate. She was
in love with him, and of course she was
Il little jealous OF me. The whole mys-
! terry about Capt. Harris was accounted
+ for.
Zone evening some weeks afterward,
when we were in the Indian ocean,
fianced through the after cabin door,
and what do you think saw? There sat
our mate. Mr. Wood, by the side of our
slipper. She had her beard off, and
noticed then that she had let her hair
grow. In Mr.. Woods lap sat the little
boy. She was looking tenderly at Mr..
Wood, and he was talking to the boy as
| If he had made up his mind to be very
rood to him-for his mothers sake.
Then knew that it was all settled."-
n Y. Times.