Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-04-01
SNOW HILL MARYLAND SATURDAY, APRIL l. 1899

1
But John Coffin was not content with
these successes. and his ambition soon
became intulerahle
OF all thc young men in those parts
Jim Pcnlcrrick was the most promis-
ing, There were none but knew tine
traditions of the smuggling and could
lelp If help We're needed But Jim was
one of thosc rare spirits who make ira
ditions II" was hardly more than four
and twenty. tall. fair and hoyish, but
he had already made himself name
by the clevrrncss of the lodges he in
vented nnd the magnificent coolncss
with which he carried them into execu.
tion II was no wonder that Maggie
Opie the prettieSt girl in Trewarne
was proud 10 have him known rs her
sweetheart.
She was n little dark haired creature.
with cheeks tinted like wild roses and
big gray eyes that would have nude
conversation an easy thing to her il she
had chanced 10 he born dumb. There
was childish innocence in them some
times, and sometimes reckless mis-
chief. which Jim himself could only
envy and admire. II was said that some
of his clov"rcst inventions had been in
spircd ly her. And there was only one
thing in her which Jim deemed unrea-
llc She appeared to dctest John
Coffin with all the strength Of her soul.
II seemed to Jim that Ia do this in such
n case was To 20 l'yond what was nee
essary OF appropriate. He had outwit-
ted the man So frequently that he felt
almoS, kindly toward him.
But one day his view uf the matter
was ch; ngcd. Maggie reported to him
certain events which had hefallen her
while hc WAS away upon his latest voy-
age tn Roscoff
Once or twice lately. she explained.
IL had fecn horne in upon her that John
Coffin was much mere polite 10 her
than he had any reason to he. She had
forbornc Ia speak Of the matter because
there were multitude of smuggling
histories which prov ID beyond n doubt
that il was oftcntiiues convenient for
such n one as she to have something of
hold over such as he But now she
could not ignore the matter any longer.
what you'll say. she said I'm
sure cant think. But hope you
won't do anything rash.
II appeared then. that Maggie was
coming back Ia the village from Il visit
to Breach. little church tcwn two
miles distant from Trcwarne. She had
hardly started when she met John Coffin.
Good afternoon. Miss Opiel" he
said. = Tis pleasant weather for the
time of the year And he stopped, so
that Maggie could hardly pass on i'm
mediately.
''Iss. she said. E" It's pretty wealth
er =
MAY keep you company along the
road .' said the man.
a. 'Tis n lonely old road. =
Maggie raised her eyes to his. Then
they fiuttered and fell "'Tis very kind
of you.
They discussed multitude of indif-
ferent subjects. Then. Il didn't see Mr..
Penlerrick when | was down in Ire
warne inst now. :" said Coffin.
"Noy" said Maggie.
81 didn't see the Dream either. i
suppose she's gone tn sea again?'
''How should l know" said Maggie
innocently lis Jim Penlerrick the
man to {, girl what are his plans."
well. ,.lid Coffin. II suppose he'll
be back for sunday. being Feasten Sun
day. shouldn't think he'd he later
than Thursday. for the fairs on Fri
day.
Are you going 10 the fair. Mr..
Coffin :" said Maggie.
The man smiled. IF could see you
there
"Aw" said Maggie. lyon can see
that any time. Why. the waxworks is
coming that haven't been here these
four years.
"Waxwurks is no attraction, said
Coffin contemptuously. Give me flesh
and blood -
"WeIl. said Maggie. "if waxworks
is no attraction. | suppose you won't be
there
In minute or two the subject was
changed.
4" 'Tis lonely life down here for one
that been used to higl,er places. said
Coffin IF n man had wife, perhaps
'twould he all he'd want. He'd have
some interest in his work then. but as
ii is
II won't bring zee no further. Mr..
Coffin. said Maggie interrupting him.
MANY thanks for your company.
And the little man looked at her
meltingly ''No need of thanks!" he
CALCULATED. - 'TiS yours whenever you
like To take il and for SO long time as
Won choose. He raised his hat with n
flourish. and Maggie walked on home
ward. having now reached the outskirts
of the village She lnew not whether
to laugh or TO be indignant. Finally
she did both
Jim Penlerrick and the men of the
Dream landed their cargo that very
night and got it into place Of security
without untimely interruption. The
next morning Maggie came t. her win
dow early and inspected the harbor
which il overlooked The Dream was
there Even while she looked at it she
heard whistle and. CHANGING mp the
road. she saw Jim Penlerrick coming
to call or her. So she descended quick
ly. heard The tale of his adventures dur
ing the ti.le Of this last absence and in
conclusion told hcr own tale.
1T looked to me. she added like
as if the man wanted me to tell all
knew. and offered 10 make me Mrs.
Coffin in reward Now. Jim. don't you
go and do anything foolish. Perhaps he
never meant it. after all.
Jim laughed siiInly perhaps not.
he said ''All tine same. fancy a bit
of a lesson world do him no harm. He
can have thought you was bad hearted.
So he must have fancied you could he
fooled easy And he must bc cured of
all such fancies az that.
Maggie flushed Il never thought of
that. she said ''Jim. You can do just
what you like with him. And Jim
went OH To his breakfast. full of
thoughts as To how the end he had in
view was To he obtained.
That afternoon he went through the
village with friend carrying a stout
post some 10 or IL feet in length. They
made off in the direction of a small and