Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-01-27
LOVE LEVELS ALL.

"Is this the ferry?"
The speaker was a tall, fair girl,
whose pale statuesque beauty was ac-
centuated by her mourning dress and
black hat, and her inquiry was ad-
dressed to handsome, broad shouldered
young fellow in flannels, who was fas-
tening boat up to the steps,
AS the young man did not reply the
girl repeated her question.
"Can you tell me, please, if this is
the ferry?''
Then he looked hastily around, and
as there was nobody else in sight he
seemed to come to the conclusion that
he was the one to whom the lady was
speaking.
81 beg your pardon, he said. ST did
not know that you were addressing me-.
This is Twickenham ferry. +"
"Thank you.' responded the girl.
"And will you be good enough to ferry
me over?"
with pleasure, was the reply, and,
stepping forward, he assisted her into
the boat, showed off and commenced
sculling across the river.
When they had arrived at the opposite
bank and as the young lady was being
assisted out, she asked:
How much do owe you, please?'
The ferryman turned rather red and
hesitated for few moments before he
replied:
'tThe fare is a penny, but you had
better pay when you come back"
''I am afraid / shall have to, " replied
the fair girl, looking in her purse, tfor
I have nothing less than shilling"
"ShaIl expect you down this after
noon for row." inquired the young
man.
Every probably-I think SO. By the
bye, what's your name? Whose boat
shall / ask for?''
My name is John, but my friends
usually call me Jack
every well, John, | shall be at the
landing place about half past a. And
she walked away with that grace and
vigor which are inseparable from girl
who has been brought up in the fresh
air and athletic surroundings of coun-
try life.
The half hour had barely struck when
the young lady made her appearance at
the ferry. Jack was waiting for her,
and without any loss of time they got
af1oat and started up the river.
This was memorable day with Ger
aldine, for it was her first introduction
to the 'silvery Thames, and as she
leaned back on the cushions III the stern
sheets the ripple of the water and the
songs of the birds combined with the
rhythmic sound of the boatman S sculls
to make sweet music, which she enjoy
ed in silence until they arrived opposite
Pope's villa, which Jack duly pointed
out.
"a grand poetl" exclaimed Gerald
inc, with enthusiasm.
much overrated, answered Jack.
ellis brain was as crooked as his fig
ure. -
"You have been misinformed, y OBJ
served Geraldine. "Of course you have
not read his 'lIiad. 1t is not book
that would appeal to you. But
"Oh, yes, have, 7" interrupted Jack.
"And his Odyssey too. But would
rather read one canto from 'Childe Har-
old than the whole of Popes works y
This led to disputatious argument,
in which Geraldine lost her temper and
was rude enough to say:
"You are evidently an exemplifica-
tion of the old saying that a little
learning is dangerous thing.
"Well, I'm bothered, exclaimed
Jack, with satirical smile, ''if that
ism t little too bad. For if there was
one thing that l was supposed to be good
at next to rowing it was Greek. !"
"You seem to be very well educated
for your position in life, remarked
Geraldine.
"Oh, don't know, . answered Jack,
and he added quickly: The free libra
ries are SO convenient, yeu know. But
might return the compliment and say
that you seem very we'll read for a
young lady. J"
When they returned to the ferry,
Geraldine extracted her purse, but, as
she was taking out the money, Jack
said, pointing to Hammerton, the ferry
man:
That is the person to pay, please.
am not allowed to take any money"
When the young lady was out ol
sight, Jack said quietly to the boatman
Don't forget, Dick, if she should
happen to make any inquiries that am
only one of your assistants. 4
alright, sir, answered Dick, with
a knowing look 4 won't forget. .
For the next month Geraldine went
on the river every fine day, sometimes
in the morning, sometimes in the after,
noon, and these boating expeditions
were extended ca many occasions up the
stream to Kingston, Molesey and Sun.
bury, and many an argument they bad
on literature and art-for as rule their
opinions ON these subjects were diamet-
rically opposite--as they drifted down
homeward bound.
One afternoon they were returning
down the river when the conversation
turned upon the wedding of lady OF
property in the neighborhood, who had
recently married her coachman.
Poor, unfortunate womanl'' ex-
claimed Geraldine. How bitterly she
will regret itF'
why should she?' inquired Jack.
Because happiness is impossible