Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-03-02
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
THE O0NsPIRAT0RS.


NdptdTll Ildllsuh, udNluS TVtuiucu
from a long voyage to find himself
widower, had sacrificed his fondness
for a seafaring life to the needs Of
his only daughter, Lucy, and had
settled in thriving coast city, where
he could live comfortably upon the
modest fortune he had accumulated.
"A good man was the Captain,
rough in his ways, but tenier-hearted,
irasc.ole but forgivirg, and deeply
devoted to his little girl as he con,
tinued to call Lucy even after she
took to long gowns, ard began to re-
ceiye calls from eligible Young men.
1t was rather SLOW in dawnisg upon
the captains mind that Lucy might
some day like to marry. He never
took her company seriously. for
most of the youag men who called
and whom he admitted, for he habit
ually answered The doorbell, were Of
type with which, to put it mildly.
he was not familiar, hat Lucy
could cherish a genuine interest in
n Young man Who knew aothing of
the sea neyeY occurred to him, until
son of one Of his former shipmates
proposed for Lacy's hand Then
there was a rude awakening
The sutor, Jack barrow, was him.
self sailor and the old captain had
found great comfort in his calls, In
fact, the ancient mariner had enter
tanned the notion that Jack called to
see aim; and il was quite a shock
when JACK, finding the captain alone
one evening, made his purpose clear.
Have ye signalled her, JACKIE he
asked.
Haven't hoisted rag replied the
young sailor, sheepishly, III it's all
right, captain, you speak to her.
She'll do anything you say
Dunno, dunno" returned the cap
tain obviously; "But III heave the
lead, Jack, and let you know II the
channels clear"
That satisfied Jack, and, true to his
word, the captain "heaved the lead
that very night.
"Lucy,' he said, Jack barrow
wants splice with ye,"
Cant he done, papa she answer
ed at once; Jacks "a good fellow, but
! DON'T love him.
The captain knew not whether Ia
rejoice or regret, tie was sorry for
Jack, but glad for himself.
"Al's we'll" he said, after mo
ment; I'm not asking We to love him
Lucy. You shan't marry anybody yt
don't loNe"
81 knew you'd say SO, papa, just as
1 know you won't object to my marry
ing the man do love
Eth? Steady there? Do you meal
you've got somebody in mind?"
Lucy pnshed and looked ait tn,
floor
"Who is he?" asked the captain
anxiousIy.
Its Henry Whitman, papa. HI
asked me this evening"
'NhaC. that dude"
"Papa!'
Lucy's eyes hlazed rs she addresset
her father in sharper tones than sh
had ever used. She looked AT hin
steadily for moment and then wen
TO her room.
The captain drew Il long breath
|. sank into chair and fllnoed for HI
pipe. lmder It's s00uhng influence h
became c0mtortcd. Whitman dresse,
styIlshly, but that nngTl NOT b
against him. He could AFFORD his ap
parent extravaganza, Tor he wa
! clerk IN a bank. Everybody spok'
; well of HIM, lOu, Poor Jack barrow
After time The captain knocked
the ashes from his pipe, and going u
Lucy 5 room, spoke TO her rhrougl
tine closed door.
"ll's all rlghr, little girl" he salt
iu a shahing Voice, III you wadl
young Whitman yOn snail have him
and uod bless .ye both,
Mhrreupon Lacy arose, went to tn
door, opened IT, and threw her arm
around ner Iaiber's neck.
Next day Capt. Hanson reported hi
soundings TO Jack and told MIN plain
ly that ned have to sheer or Per
haps the captain failed TO couch hi
information IN terms that suggested
his disappointment and kindly Ieel
ings.
Jack did moi manifest his i'll vii
then, mi Iil1le later he devised I
way 10 Mreak vengeance ON his sue
cessful rival. lie CHANGED to leari
that Whitman WAS to take Lucy TO {
theaier on certain evening, II be
gan to rain thai afternoon, depress
ing, ceasrIess drizzle This was Jack
opportunity and he arranged his plo
with great care. There was nothin;
he could do himself except superSis
eraiions, DWt he found three l0ya
friends TO whom he cOniided the sfUa
dl0n and MS purpose, ana ihey agree
10 look after details.
The curtain rises upon their it'll
drama nj exactly Is minutes after
in the evening. Scene the front step
OF Capt lIansoD's house. A cold driz
zle continues throughout. The frs
conspirator enters, trips mp the step
and pulls the bell. After a Sigh
pause, the door opens and --- 80.
captain appears. looking out into tn,
wet.
is Miss Hanson at home?" inquiries
the consprrator.
"Yes," replies the captain, trying t.
recognize the visitor, "WiIl you wall
IMP"
Thanks. no. is the reply. 81 jus
called to say that II Is very un
comfortable night, moist and windy