The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-08-02

angular, very plain and very deaf
But" argued the captain. ''she must
ave 'ad experience in 'er time an I've
card as fashions in these things doesn't
alter Duch.' SO he strolled out into
the kitchen for box of matches. when
the the widow Grummidge was washing
up the tea things. The captain had
been half an hour late for tea. SO the
good lady was not in the best of humors
On such occasions her intirmity of hear
ing was apt to increase.
Hi he shouted in her ear. Mrs
Grummidge''
Il hain't deaf. D." she replied, irritably
go, course you hain,t.' he agreed.
with a view Of Precipitation. You
hain't 'arf sharp. neither"
"Lor. capn!' she said with a smirk.
I'D like your opinion on somethink
on COIN courtin.
Caught wot:"
no. no: courtin'."
Caught i'm: Who"
'Coultin' a cal" he roared
wv Ell you was at sea-
Not Il gale: a gala gala woman. .
She dropped plate with crash.
More fool YOU" she said. severely
COW ought to tell err" he inquir
ed, ignoring the protest.
Tell er wot:"
Il want to marry
"Eh:" she said with sudden interest
'I-wmt- to-marry he shouted.
Marry cried Mrs Grummidge with
a gasp. 20 capn. | never thought OF
such a thing. But as you as harsks
me- She flung herself upon the cap
tain's manly breast, with one bony arm
tight round his collar She still held
the wet dishclOth in her hand and III
her excitement she squeezed it so hard
that a perfect torrent ran down the
back of his neck.
The rest of the scene was too painful
to dwell upon. Within twenty minutes
Mrs. Grummidge was richerby a couple
of sovereigns. and the captain was
poorer by Il houSekeeper.
I'D write an harsk Jack, Illuminated
the good man, mourntully, but wasn't
never no and at Writin'." Then he haC
another bright idea. The very thing
he told himself: and off he rushed to the
widows.
Good evening. Mrs. Riley" he said
''GoOu evening. captain. She com
menced to get ont the half ounce.
IL didn't come for baccy," he said
The fact is, Mrs. Riley. came fore
advice" She laughed even more
pleasantly than usual.
Fancy you comm to me- She sale
archly. Il s'pose it's about tobacco?'
moo" he confessed, 'er-not eX
actly. It-er-well, the fact is. its
about courtin'
"Courtin'.' Lor' captain As if
knew ANYTHING about it,"
Its like this ere" he explained. a
friend of mine" He coughed depre
ciatingly. y particular friend o
mine wants to go courtin' lady"
Then" said the widow" why doesn't
he9''
"'E don't know exactly 'ow to give
'er int
A youthful customer appeared at this
juncture and was served with an ounce
of acid drops. Then the widow return
ed to the tobacco end of the counter.
Are you sure she doesn't know
she inquired.
"'E-er- asn't told 'er." The cap
tain mopped his brow with the rec
handkerchief which had put the crows
to flight
she might guess she suggested
''DOes e go an see her often?"
Bout four times day." he confess
ed.
wy doesn't e arsk 'er right out?'
"'E don't know egzakly 'ow to do it, ;
said the captain in a mutf1ed voice.
There's lots of ways, said the widow
leaning her elbows on the counter and
resting her chin upon her hands. Cant
you think of way, captain?" There
was d provoking CLEAN in her black
eyes.
''Wot," he asked doubtfully' ''wud be
the usual thing"
''Lor' captain, haven't been through
it a hundred times" She shrugged hel
plump shoulders.
"'E thinks norful deal of 'er." hi
said solemnly. "'E might tell her that
mightn't 'e?"
Yes she agreed. certainly e
might"
Mr. Brown, the sexton, came in an(
twaddled about the crops and the par
sons new pony. After waiting five
minutes the captain bowed and took hi
departure.
IN never ave the art to say it." he
muttered to himself. 'I'll have to Civ,
it up"
| All next day he kept away from tn,
village and smoked from his store. 'Il
never go there no more" he vowed
ut amt no manner of USE" But il
| the afternoon he went.
IVY captain!" said Mrs. Riley"
wondered wotever 'ad 'appened to YOU
did you now?" he said with delight;
did you?'
Il was wantin' to ask you for some
thing, too"
'Marrersv he replied, promptly, so
peas? Or"
mo, nor She laughed. advice"
| "AyH' His knees trembled, and hi
looked round for the shop chair.
"It's gone-to be mended," she tolG
him, with suppressed smile. ''Won'
you come inside captain?''
you're VERY kind, ma am" he said
nervOuSIv She lifted tho couptor Aan