The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-10-07
THE CAPTAINS MATE !
BY Major Alfred 4. Calhoun.
THE GENERAL SCOTT, though

American merchant marine, Is SUI
An excellent vessel.
Three years ago the Generai Scout
was commanded by Tracy BYRON. VINO
owned half interest in the vessel and
vas Thought by those who are authori-
ties in such matters to be the ablest
sailor and shrewdest business man
that ever handled ship or disposed Of
cargo
Cant. Byron was 30 years of age,
active. good looking and inclined TO
be stern. lie was "a moody man,
given to pacing the deck with his
hands buried deep in his pockets and
his eyes east down. But men who had
sailed with him since he first came
on shipboard, beardless boy, de-
clared that up TO his thirtieth year,
Capt. Byron was as light-hearted a
sailor as ever touched rudUer or rope.
When Capt Byron was 30 years of
age. and while he was as yet only first
officer OF the ship of which he was
now the master. he became acquainted
with Agnes Hayne, the daughter of a
wealthy Baltimore merchant who had
made a fortune in the South Anne rican
lr9de.
At that time Mr.. Hayne owned an in
terest in the General Scott, and as the
cabin of the ship was fitted up for pas
sengers, he took a voyage in her, one
winter. TO Rio Janeiro. his beautiful
daughter accompanying him as nurse
and companion.
In addition to being a thorough sail
or and well-educated, Tracy Byron
had a susceptible heart and an eye for
the beautiful.
Early in the voyage he became ac-
quainted with Agnes Hayne. As they
had similar tastes, this acquaintance
soon ripened into friendship.
Agnes Haynes father had the govt.
and the disease did not improve a tenn
per which. at its best. was far from
amiable. He was sharp-eyed old gen
tleman, and whether he suspected
Tracy Byrom's feeling for his daugh-
ter or not, certain it is that he evinced.
from the first. anything but fondness
for the young man.
When Agnes shook hands with the
first officer OF the General Scott. at
Rio. she thanked him for the kind
ness he had shown her during the voy-
age. and she said. as she looked into
his blushing. confused face: II hope.
Mr.. Byron, that we may meet again"
The ship having discharged one
cargo and taken on. another. sailed
away from Rio Janeiro. and the young
sailors heart was none the lighter be-
cause he had left his heart behind him.
Mr.. Hayne. who was widower. with
Agnes, his only living child, spent six
months in Brazil. Meantime, he had
made up his mind to return on the Cen
eral Scott. for he had been given 20 un-
derstand that that ship had another
first officer, and this was the truth.
But he had not learned that Tracy
Byron had been promoted TO the posi-
ton Of captain Of the same ship. When
he did learn this fact it was too late to
change his arrangements. so b, came
back to Baltimore with his daughter
in the ship that took them out.
During the voyage, Mr.. Haynes all
ments confined him for much of the
time in his stateroom. and. as a conse-
quence. the happy young captain was
thrown much with his hearts ideal.
That was the shortest and the hap
piest voyage Tracy Byron ever sailed.
He had been so attentive TO Mr.. Hayne
that simply as matter of courtesy the
gruff old gentleman could not help
thanking the young officer who had
been so considerate, and saying to him
a. parting in Baltimore:
IF | can return your favors. Capt.
BYRON, command me-"
This was certainly encouraging. a
week after the captain made formal
call to see how Mr.. Hayne and his
daughter were feeling after The voy
age. and. IL chance offered. TO carry
out a resolution which he had formed
after long and careful elaboration.
This resolution was nothing more
nor less than to tell Agnes that he
loved her. and to propose that hence
forth they sail .ife's seas together.
The old gentleman was out. and
agnes was at home. And so Tracy
Byrom, by desperate effort of will,
told the young lady that he loved her.
She did not seem Surprised: how
'Npuiu sHe ne Wnen she knew oil his love
already? Restraining her evident emo
ton. she confessed that no man stood
higher in her esteem and affections
than Capt. Byron.
But she said, ~ have promised my
father never to marry without his
consent. ] am now of age. still duty
makes this promise binding. His hap
piness is my first consideration. See
him and will abide by his answer"
In the exultation of this success
capt. Byron felt sure that every other
obstacle would vanish. He sought an
early opportunity to see the old gen
,eman, and. without any foolish pre-
hminaries. he stated his object.
he was met by thundcrclan OF In
lignation. Mr.. IIayne was furious al
what he called "the presumption Of m
lpstart." The captain said frankly
mat his own family in Maine stood
iutte as high as the IIaypee ala l., nat..