Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-02
ABNER'S WIFE.

ADNEN y w IT,
WELL" said Abner Mullins, surveying
the interior of the kitchen with evident
disfavor, "a wife would come in kind O.
convenient just nowp'
1t did look as if a woman's hand was
needed to bring order out of chaos. Boots,
clothing, dishes and fishing tackle Uttered
the floor A basket of cleaned fish occu-
pied the long chair, While the table and
sink were piled with an accumulation Of
articles too varied for description. AS for
dlrt-dirt was everywhere!
folks say I'm untidy," continued Alb
ner. as he eyed the disorder. But I
amt. 1t amt that I like dirt; it's that
l don't like cleaning up. / love to see
things kept nice as well as anybody. /
hate dirt worse than poison, but [ hate
getting rid of it heap sight more" and
he drew long sigh as he set about his
uncongenial task.
There amt a doubt about it, he went
on aloud, a habit which his solitary life
developed. 1T takes more'n one to run
schooner, land or sea. It's been grow
ing on me ever since / was hauled up in
dry dock with rheumatics that I'd have to
get a mate. She can boss the galley and
I'll man the ropes. If there's foul wealth
er I can take to the dory till the storm 8
blowed out" Here Abner attacked his
breakfast dishes, a task that he particu-
lardy detested.
''There'll be lot of things that ain
pleasant about it, he said, as he thought
of his lost freedom. But I'll take care
a master hand at anything but cooking
and scrubbing decks. I'm captain, and [
won't step down in rank for anybody"
The notion Of getting married had been
presenting itself to Abner for some time.
Not that he was lonely; he felt no need
e
one to keep his house clean, mend his
clothes and cook his meals. No more
tender emotion stirred in his breast.
He was getting along in years, and his
rheumatism was increasing upon him.
One Of these days he would need some
one to take care of him. His wife must
be young, strong, capable and amenable;
that was all he asked.
Abner Mullins had lived alone for
many years. The Hermit of Beachville
he was called by the young people, who
regarded him with awe and suspicion.
To their minds a mystery hung over his
rude dwelling. Did they not hear Abner
talking busily to some unseen listener?
The truth was, Abner, taciturn to all
fellow beings, was fairly garrulous with
himself and his conversations were pro-
longed and emphatic.
His little implanted, shingle cabin
stood on the rocks, which rose high above
served him as a step he had the range Of
the broad bay and of the open sea be-
You'd. 1t was a fair view, but Abner' S
eyes scanned the blue water more often
to discover signs of schools of fish than
in the enjoyment or appreciation of its
beauties, and the varying moods of the
sky meant to him only phases of the
weather.
Abner had not proceeded far in his
domestic occupation when the cheap little
clock on the shelf struck 10. He dropped
his dishcloth with evident relief.
Mess or no mess, those fish have got
to be carried to the boat he said.
He took his basket on his arm and
went down the rocky lane to the village
and through the struggling street Dor
dered by houses, white painted, but with
green blinds and gay little dooryards
bright with flowers.
The street led to the wharf, admired
by artists and by tourists with cameras,
but which was regarded by the natives
from a purely utilitarian standpoint
An old schooner had been firmly
grounded, propped by stout piles, its
cabin converted into wharfhouse, and
flight of steps cut into it's side for the
landing of passengers.
The Mary Dillen has made many a
hard voyage, but now she lay at rest
Leisurely feet trod her planks, and the
little waves FLASHED gently against her
weather beaten sides-a peaceful ending
OF Sea-tOSSed existence.
AS Abner Sauntered along the shaky
structure which bridged the space be-
tween the schooner and dry land. the lit
tie steamer slowed up to make its daily
landing, and a beyy of village girls
f1ocked to the wharf to see the boat
come IN, the chief excitement of the day.
The young women were in high spirits
laughing, shrieking and chewing gum Wig
orously. Abner's gaze was critical.
''None of them for me!' he remarked tc
himself. ''Gadding down here at this
hour II the morning, when they ought t.
be doing up their work! A parcel of gig
Cling femalesr'
The gum also met with his disapproval
'Waste Of strength, beside being 9
dreadful expense! The girl with the ligh
hair is kind of good looking, but where'd
my breakfast be while she was cleaning
up? No, none Of them for mer'
1t never occurred to Abner that any Of
fer he made might possibly be rejected.
'1'll have to look further'n Beachville,'
he thought, as he climbed back to hi;
cabin. eff I've got to get married, Tn
bound to get wife to suit"
As the days went by Abner's desire fol
a helpmeet increased, for the fishing was
unusually good and kept him busy or
the bay, SO that his household affairs were
even more sadly awry. It was clear thai
he must get somebody to do his house
keeping.
About two weeks after his condemna
ton of the Beachville maidens the hermi
rowed around the point TO the sleepy ole
town of Bayport with load of CLAIMS anG
Holsters. Bayport was a hustling me
tropoiis to Abner, and he felt on his
guard when he ventured there for he haG
a vague notion that his path would be be
set with sharpers. But nobody tried tc
take advantage Of his innocence. and il
was not very long. before he was return
ing to his boat with his empty baskets
On his journey back he Stopped at q
humble little house near the wharf to ash
for a drink, and a young woman Of per
haps 20 years answered his knock. She
willingly brought to him a dipper of clear
cool water. The dipper was of tin, but
it was as clean and shining as silver.
Over its rim Abner eyed the giver with