Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-10-21

AT length l grew 10 love inc place
so much that made an agreement with
the stanch old sycamore TO give me its
place. I was to cut it down and to use
every particle of it about my cabin, and
I did so; not so much as a twig has gone
to the fire or to the waves, and the old
tree is satisfied, and so am l.
81 used to sit 81 this seaward win
dow and look out between the rocks and
wonder if anyone was as grieved at her
death rs was I, and wish l knew about
her folks, and if they ever got the trunk
full of the rarest of my sea treasures,
for she admired them so much that l had
given them to her, and had helped her to
pack them. Atlength in memory Of her
Ibegan to make another collection-the
one You see here.
Sometimes after Il hard blow, when
the burrows between the waves are so
deep that the very bottom OF the sea is
plowed, tiny pink and white shells fit
for lady's necklace may be found on
that little rough island away in the
ofIing to the southwest. wanted to 60
over there, but my boat was not large
enough for so long trip; but one day
fellow who had heard me say that !
knew Just where 10 look for the dainty
things asked me to pilot city party
he was going 10 take over on his sail
boat. I was glad enough to go, but I
didn't feel like talking, so I sat down III
an out-of-ihe-way place on the deck,
pulled my hat oyer my eyes and made
as if I was asleep.
presently some Of the young people
sat down near me and one fellow began
in 4 blind sort of way suggesting that
was fit subject for Irritation. He's
asleep said one. Hes stupid said an
other, and still another added in 4 low
voice, thinking I could not hear:
"'Oh, no, dear fellow, he is far from
stupid, but he is daft, loye-crached Or
something. They call him Tom Little
Lamp because he keeps lamp burning
i'll the cove above the lighthouse where
his boat was wrecked once with his lady
love ON board
Dear me, how romantic! said d
voice as clear and hard as wafer drip
ping upon ice on freezing day. 1t
reminds nc of little romance of my
oW w., w.. o,,-.,, .,.,o5 ono o. tno
young things. Did you ever really have
a romance? Excuse me, but we have
always been told that yours was made
match to secure a union Of estates
"'Ard so it was, my child, and en-
tirely proper and jud;cious, but I had
my ronauces, and my Poor, dear hus-
band. who only iiNeG,a month after our
wedding day, had his as well, 10 doubt.
One summer when lie took sea voyage
for his health I came with Il few friends
upon this coast, somewhere for a little
quiet. do rot remember the name Of
the fishing village where we stopped,
but it was 4 quaint, wild nook where
an old woman who made excellent
chowdcrs gave us comfortable quarters
and clean beds. There was fine bathing,
and boats and sober boatmen, so we
stayed on.
81 vas told that the captain of the
largest Of thS boats was an enthusiasts
tic collector, and that many Of his spec
| linens Of shells and seawccds would do
credit to many q metropolitan museum,
ard as dear Mr.. Oliver had just at that
time Il mania for marine treasures,
set myself about making friends with
This shy fellow, that might in some
way Get possession of his collection.
| Although at first he was almost as shy
as sea bird found that, Us well as be-
ing very handsome, he was intelligent
ard well educated, so that I really en-
loved the companionship of the poor
fellow while carrying out my pan. I
would go upon the water in no boat
but his, and don't know but that he
fancieGI was in love with him, F0r after
time he insisted upon presenting ne
with the collection that he had at first
refused to sell-and when he had helped
me to pack it in one d my trunks, l sent
it to New York to greet Mr.. Oliver on
his return. and lie was delighted with
it, and occupied himself with it until
7 went back to him.
"T don't know but I came as near
being in Iore with that youth rs [ have
ever been with anyone in my life. /
stayed on and On, even after the others
had left, taking ali CT my things that
were Of any value with them, moi know
Ing low to get away. He taught me to
row and to swim, and learned about
tie edlies and currents III along the
coast, and orc day I insisted, in the
whimsical fashion I had adopted when
with him, in taking his small boat and
go!rg out across the bar by myself
Z had learned, TO my dismay, that
ba really fanccd himself in love with
ne; SO I laade all my arrangements to
leave on that day, audin order to get oil
without bidding him farewell, Irowed
myself down to the railway station
where I left the boat, pushing itinto the
current. knowing it would drift back
home, for he and had driftedup there
in the twilight 4 score'of times. / had
worn a broad-brimmed shade hat over
plain sailor, and now tossed it back
into the boat as u souvenir, skipped
up over the bluff, tagged the train and
was off. A week later was amused to
read in daily the news of my drown
ing, and it seemed that the boat was
found bottom upward and my hat was
discovered somewhere along the beach.
My name was misspelled in the news
paper paragraph, so it made 10 sensa-
ton; and it may be that my sentimental
captain deplores my untimely fate I'M
til this day
During all this hippant recital I had
not moved muscle, but 1 thought of a
great many things that l might do to
punish her. I might jump overheard
and drown before her eyes; might rise
up before her friends and denounce her
for her miserable hypocrisy and heart