The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-04-25
THE CONSPIRATORS

Captain Hanson. having returned
from a long voyage to find himself a
widower, had sacrificed his fondness for
a seafaring life to the needs of his only
daughter, Lucy, and had settled in a
thriving coast city. where he could live
comfortably upon the modest fortune
he had accumulated.
A good man vas the captain, rough
in his ways, but tender hearted, irasci-
bic, but forgiving, and deeply devoted
to his little girl, as he continued to
call Lucy even after she took to long
gowns and began to receive calls from
eligible young men.
1t was rather slow in dawning upon
the captains mind that Lucy might
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 h~abitually answered
the doorbell, were of a type with which.
to put 1t mildly, he was not familiar.
That Lucy should cherish a genuine in
terest in a young man who knew moth
ing of the sea never occurred to him
until a son of one of his former ship
mates proposed for Lucy's hand. Then
there was a rude awakening.
The sutton, Jack barrow. was him
self a sailor, and the old captain had
found great comfort in his calls. In
fact, the ancient mariner had enter
tanned the notion hat Jack called to
see him, and it was quite a shock when
Jack. finding the captain alone n
evening. made his purpose clear.
Have ye signaled her. Jackf" he
asked.
Haven't hoisted a rag. replied the
young sailor sheepishly. eff it's all
right, cap, you speak to her. She'll do
anything you say"
Dunno, dunno" returned the cap
tain obviously, ''but I'll heave the lead,
Jack. and let you know if 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 to splice with ye."
"Can't be done, papa" she answered
at once. "Jack's a good fellow, but /
don't love him"
The captain knew not whether to re-
joice or regret. He 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 ye
don't love"
81 knew you'd say SO, papa, just as l
knew you won't object to my marrying
the man I do love"
"Eh3 Steady therel Do ye mean
we've got somebody in mind9"
Lucy blushed and looked at the floor
"Who is he 2" asked the captain anx-
iously.
tits Henry Whitman. papa He ask
ed me this evening"
"Whati That dudeT"
"Papal'
Lucy's eyes blazed as she addressed
her father in sharper tones than she had
ever used. She looked at him steadily
for a moment and then went to her
room.
The captain drew a long breath, sank
into a chair and fumbled for his pipe.
Under its soothing influence he became
comforted. Whitman dressed stylishly,
but that might not be against him. He
could afford his apparent extravaganza,
for he was a clerk in a bank. Everybody
spoke well of him too Poor Jack Oar
rowl
After a time the captain knocked the
ashes from his pipe and, going to Lucy's
room. spoke to her through the closed
door.
"It's all right, little girl, he said in
a shaking voice. eff ye want young
Whitman. ye shall have him. and God
bless ye both
Whereupon Lucy arose, went to the
door. opened it and threw her arms
around her fathers neck
Next day Captain Hanson reported
his soundings to Jack and told him
plainly that he'd have to sheer off. Per-
haps the captain failed to couch his in
formation in terms that suggested his
disappointment and kindly feelings
Jack did not manifest his i'll will
then, but a little later he devised a way
to wreak vengeance on his successful
rival He CHANGED to learn that Whit
man was to take Lucy to a theater on
q certain evening. 1t began to rain that
afternoon, a depressing, ceaseless driz-
zle. This was Jacks opportunity, and
he arranged his plot with great care.
There was nothing he could do himself
except supervise operations, but he
found three loyal friends to whom he
confided the situation and his purpose.
and they agreed to look after details.
The curtain rises upon their little
drama at exactly 7:15 in the evening.
Scene, the front steps of Captain Han
sons house. A cold drizzle continues
throughout. The first conspirator en-
tors, trips up the steps and pulls the
bell After a slight pause the door
opens and the old captain appears, look
ing out into the wet.
SIS Miss Hanson at homer" inquiries
the conspirator
eyes, replies the captain, trying to
recognize the visitor. "WiIl ye walk
in2"
Thanks. no, is the reply. II just
called to say that it is a very uncom-
Portable night, moist and windy, and
she really ought not to think of going
out. Good evening. And the first con-
spirator trots down, leaving the captain
in open mouthed amazement.
0fondod h7f zoo cr1rn~sco5 - A. -
say anything. he slams the door and re-
tires.
Five or six minutes pass, and Con-
spirator Nc. Q comes striding confident
~ along, mounts the high stoop and
rings the bell.
'Ts Miss Hanson at homer" asks the
visitor of the old gentleman.
eyes, she is. responds the captain
"What do ye wantf"
cts a very dirty night" remarks
the conspirator with engaging frank
ness, land she really ought not to ven
ture out.
"Big seas and great galesl' roars
the captain in a tremendous rage. Eye
get out of herel'' And he makes a dash
at the self appointed adviser, but the
latter is on his guard and skips down
the steps unframed.
Ten minutes are then allowed to lapse
before the third conspirator appears on
the scene He, too. trots up the high
stoop and rings the bell. but, having
rung. he prudently retreats half way
down again and waits. Almost imme-