The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-01-26

well" said Abner Mullins, surveying
the interior of the kitchen with evident dis
favor, "a wife would come in kind O
convenient just now"
1t did look if a woman's hand was
needed 10 bring order out of chaos Boots
clothing, dishes and fishing tackle Uttered
the floor. A basket of cea ned fish occupied
the only chair. while the table and sink
were piled with an accumula ton Of articles
too varied for description. AS for dirt
dirt was everywhere
Folks say I'm untidy," continued Abner
as he eyed tn" disorder. But l amt. 1t
amt that l like dirt; it's that l don't like
cleaning up. l love to things kept nice
as we'll as anybody. 1 hate dirt worse than
poison, but L hate getting rid of it heap
sight more" and he drew long sigh as
he set about his unconSenial task.
There amt a doubt about it,. he went
on aloud, 4 habit which his solitary life
mad developed 1t takes mOre'n one to run
a schooner, land 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 boss the galley and I'll
man the ropes. If there's foul weather l
can take to the dory till the storms bowed
out Here Abner attacked his breakfast
dishes, Il task he particularly detested.
There viii! be lot of things that amt
pleasant about it, he sad, as he thouehe
OF his lost freedom. But I'll take care
what kind of one l get. l don't want d
master hand at anything but cooking and
scrubbing decks. m captain, and l 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
of a companion. His idea of d wife was
one to keep his house clean, mend his
clothes and cook his meals. No more ten
der emotion stirred in his breast.
He 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 Bcachville he was
called by the young people. who regarded
him with awe and suspicion. To their
minds d mystery hung over his rude dwell
ing. 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, shngied cabin
stood on the rocks which rose high above
the beach, and from the stone which
served him as step he had the range OF
the broad bay and of the open sea beyond
scanned the blue water more often to dis
cover 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 do
mestic occupation when the cheap little
clock on the shelf struck ~. He dropped
his dshcloth 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 one Struggling street bOrdered
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 unitarian standpoint
An old schooner had been firmly ground
ed, propped by stout piles its cabin con-
verified into a wharfhouse, and flight of
steps cut into its side for the landing of
passengers.
The Mary Dilen had 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 sdes-a peaceful ending of
a Sea-toSSed existence
AS Abner sauntered along the shaky
structure which bridgeI the space between
tHC SCloOutl ana uTN lana the little
steamer slowed up to make its daily land
ing. and a bevy of village girls hocked 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. AbnerS gaze was critical.
None of them for me-" he remarked to
himself "Gadding down here at this hour
in the morning. when they ought to be do
ing their work. A parcel of giggling fe-
males.
The gum also met with his disapproval.
Waste of strength, besides being a
dreadful expense! The girl with the light
hair is kind O. good-looking, but where'd
my breakfast be while she was cleaning up:
No, none of them for me-
1t never occurred to Abner that any of.
fer he made might possibly be rejected.
IN have to look furthern Beachvile -
he thought. he climbed back to his
CABIN. 1f I've got to get married, I'm
bound to get q wife to suit
AS the days went by Abner's desire for
a helpmeet increased, for the fishing was
unusually good and kept him busy on the
bay, so that his household affairs went
even more sadly awry. 1t was clear that
he must set somebody to do his housekeep-
ing.
About two weeks after his condemnat ton
OF the Beachvllle maidens the hermit
rowed around the point to the sleepy old
town of Bayport with load Of clans and
Holsters. Bayport was bustling metro
polls to Abner, and he felt on his guard
when he ventured there for he had a
vague notion that his path would be beset
with sharpers. But nobody tried to take
advantage of his innocence, and it was not
very long before he returning to his
boat with his empty baskets.
On his journey back he stopped at a
humble little house near the wharf to ask
for a drink, and q young woman of perhaps
hic
brought to him dipper of clear water.
The dipper of tin, but it was as clean
and shining as silver.
Over its rim Abner eyed the gver with
interest. She was little, plump, and dim
pled, with trimness about her which es-
becially pleased Abner. He thanked her
civilly.
May 1 ask your name?" he ventured,
wiping his mouth on his shirt sleeve.