Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-02-22

THE ooNsP1RAToRs.


Captain Hanson, having returned
from 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 cast city, where
he could live comfortably upon the
modest for tune he had accun.ula ted.
"A good mai was tl.e Captain,
rough in his ways. but tender-hearted,
irascible bat forgiving. and deeply
devoted TO his little girl" as he con-
tinued TO call Lucy even after she
took to long gowns, ana began 10 re-
ceive calls from eligible Young men.
II was rather SLOW iii dawning upon
the captains mind that Lucy nigh
some day like to marry. He never
took her company" seriously, for
most of the young men who called
and whom he admitted. for he habit
ually answered the doorJell. were o.
type with which. TO put it mildly.
he was not familiar. That Lucy
could cherish a genuine interest in
a young man who knew nothing of
the sea never occurred to him, until
a son OF one of bis former Shipma:es
proposed for Lucys hand. Then
The sutton. 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 him: and il was quite a shock
when Jack. finding the captain alone
one evening. made his purpose clear.
Have We signalled her, Jack?" he
asked.
Haven't hoisted a rag" replied the
young sailor. sheepishly. eff it's all
right, captain, you speak to her.
She'll do anything you say"
Dunno, Dunno returned the cap
lead, Jack, and let you know if the
channels clear"
That satisfied Jack, and, true to his
that very night.
Lucy" he said. Jack barrow
wants splice with ye."
Cant be done, papa she answer
ed at once: Jacks a good fellow, but
l don't love him."
The captain knew not whether to
rejoice or regret. lie was sorry for
Jack, but glad for himself.
'All's WELL" he said, after a mo-
ment; I'm not asking ye TO love him,
Lucy. You shan't marry anybody we
don't cove"
L knew you'd say SO, papa, just as
| know you won't OBJECT to my marry.
ing the man | do love-"
Eth? Steady there? DO you mean
you've got somebody in mind?"
Lucy blushed and looked at the
floor.
who is hep" asked the captain,
Rnxiously.
It's Henry Whitman, papa. He
asked me this evening"
What. that dude?"
"Papa!"
Lucy's eyes blazed as she addressed
her father in sharper tones than she
had ever used. She looked at him
steadily for moment and then went
TO her room.
The captain drew a long breath,
sank into Il chair and fumbIed for his
pipe. Under its soothing influence he
became comforted. Whitman dressed
StyliShly, but that might not be
against him. lie could afford his APP
parent extravaganza, for he was
clerk in bank. Everybody spoke
well of him, too. Poor Jack barrow.
After a time the captain knocked
the ashes from his pipe, and going ITO
Lucy's room, spoke to her through
the closed door.
Its all right, little girl" he said
w a shaking voice, IF you want
young Whitman you shall have him,
and God bless We both"
Whereupon Lucy arose, went to the
door, opened it, and threw her arms
around her fathers neck.
Next day Capt. Hanson reported his
soundings to Jack and told him plain
~ that he'd have to sheer off. Per-
hapS the captain failed to couch his
information in terms that suggested
MS disappointment and kindly feel
ings.
Jack did not manifest his ill will
then, but little later he devised a
way to wreak vengeance on his sue
cessful rival. He CHANGED to learn
that Whitman was to take Lucy to a
theater on certain evening. 1t be-
gan to rain that afternoon, a depress-
ing, ceaseless driZzle. This was Jacks
opportunity and he arranged his plot
with great care. There was nothing
he could do himself except supervise
operations, hut he found three loyal
friends to whom he confided the situa-
tlon and his purpose, and they agreed
to look after details.
The curtain rises upon their little
drama at exactly 10 minutes after 7
In the evening. Scene the front steps
OF Capt. Hanson's house. A cold driz-
zle continues throughout. The first
conspirator enters, trips up the steps
and pulls the bell. After a slight
pause, the door opens and the Old
captain appears, looking out into the
wet.
rs Miss Hanson at homer" INQUIRIES
the conSpirator.
Yes, replies the captain, trying to
recognize the visitor, "Wnl you walk
imp"
Thanks, no" is the reply. AZ Just
called to say that it is very I'm.
comfortable night, moist and windy.
and she really ought not to think of
going out. Good evening"" and the
hrst conspirator trots down, leaving
the captain in open-mouthed amaze.
ment.
OHended but too surprised to do or
say anything, he slams the door and
retires.
Five or six minutes pass and CON.
splrator No. comes striding conf.
IDENTIFY along, mounts the high stoop
and rings the bell.
Is Miss Hanson at homer" asks the
visitor of the old gentleman.
Yes, she is" responds the captain.
What do you want?"
It's very dirty night" remarks