The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-05
LOVE LEVELS ALL.
ISIS this the ferry?"

ISIS this the ferry?"
The speaker was tall, fair girl,
whose palo statuesque beauty was &C.
centuated by her mourning dress and
black hat, and her inquiry was adj
dressed to handsome, broad shouldered
young fellow in fannels, 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. II 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, no assisted her into
the boat, showed off and commenced
sculling across the river.
When they had arrived at tho 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:
''The fare is penny, but you had
better pay when you come back
II am afraid shall have to, " replied
the fair girl, looking in her purse. "for
have nothing less than a shilling"
r. "Shall 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 g." 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
tho young lady mado her appearance at
the ferry. Jack was waiting for her,
and without any loss of time they got
ahoat 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 OIL the cushions in the stern
sheets the ripple of the water and the
songs Of the birds combined with the
rhythmic sound of the boatman' s SOULS
to make sweet music, which she enjoy
ed in silence until they arrived opposite
Pope's villa, which Jack duly pointed
out.
"a grand poet" exclaimed Gerald
inc, with enthusiasm.
"Much overrated," answered Jack.
"His brain was as crooked as his fig
ure.
lyon havo been misinformed, OBJ
served Geraldine. "Of course you have
not read his 'lIiad. 1t is not book
that would appeal to you. But
"Oh, yes, have" interrupted Jack.
"And his Odyssey too. But would
rather read one canto from 'Childe Har-
old than the whole of Pope's works.
This led to disputatious argument
in which Geraldine lost her temper and
was rude enough to say:
"You are evidently an exemplifica-
ton of the old saying that "a littlo
learning is dangerous thing"
"Weli, I'm bothered,' exclaimed
Jack, with satirical smile, "if that
isn't little too bad. For if there was
one thing that Twas supposed to be good
at next to rowing it was Creek
''You seem to be very well educated
for your position in life," remarked
Geraldine.
ooh, I don't know" answered Jack,
and he added quickly: "The free libra.
ries are so convenient, you know. But
might return the compliment and say
that you seem very well read for
young lady"
When they returned to tho ferry,
Geraldine extracted her purse, but, as
she was taking out the money, Jack
said, pointing to IIammerton, tho ferry
man:
"That is the person to pay, please. I
am not allowed to take any money!
When the young lady was out Of
sight, Jack said quietly to tho boatman:
Don't forget, Dick, if she should
happen to make any inquiries that am
only one Of your assistants. -
"All right, sir, answered Dick, with
a knowing look. II won't forget
For the next month Geraldine went
OIL the river every fine day, sometimes
in the morning sometimes in the after.
noon, and these boating expeditions
wero extended on many occasions up the
stream to Kingston, Molesey aud Sun
bury, and many an argument they had
on literature and art--fOr as a rulo their
opinions OH these subjects We're diamct-
really opposite-as they drifted down
bound.
One afternoon they were returning
down the river when the conversation
turned upon the wedding of lady Of
in the neighborhood, who had
recently married her coachnan.
"Poor, unfortunate woman" ex-
claimed Geraldine. How bitterly she
will regret it!''
"Why should she?" inquired Jack.
because happiness is impossible
with such IN i'll assorted match"
How do you know they are i'll as
'orted?'
"Why, the man is only common
But you must remember that sho
has married tho man, not the coachman,
and if they are fond of one another why
should they not DO happy"
ut is impossible |" exclaimed Gerald
inc. "Ilow can she, lady by birth