The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-09-28
FATHER
Al Amusing story Of 3 Blum
der Made In the Hurry
of Departure,

The Stockholm steamer was about to
sail from Hull. She had the full com
plement of passengers, and there vert the
usual number Of friends dhd relatives to
bay gooiodby. People were running about
upon the main deck near the gangplank
and In the saloon above, kissing one an
other In a hasty and reckless manner
Observing the excitement attending
these ceremonies and the absentminded
look in the eyes of nearly all the vuy-
ayers, Mr.. Howell was of the opinion
that It would be safe to kiss two or three
of the prettiest girls ON the chance that
they would mistake him FOR brother
Or coHsif ia the general confusion of fare
wells There was one girl in particular
with whom he would have tried the eX
pertinent il he could have reconciled the
act with his ideas of gentlemanly be-
havior. She was the prettiest of all and
the most distracted.
There was a rush for the upper parts
of the boat. 1t seemed that the gang
plank was about to be pulled In. and
every one was in hurry to SECURE ia
.vorable place FOR waving a handkerchief
to friends upon the pier. Men and wo-
men stumbled over the hand baggage
which other men and women had set in
their way or picked up that which did
not belong to them or sought vainly for
that which did.
The young woman whom Howell had
been observing was carried up the stairs
by the crowd. and in that moment Howell
made up his mind that something really
was the matter and that it was his duty
to lend aid. With great skill he made
his way to her side just as she began to
cry with nervousness and vexation.
"Please don't be offended il ! venture
to notice that you're in some sort of trou-
ble," said he. IF there's anything in
the world that can do
"My fathers gone ashore, and he has
not come back!' she cried. 1--WE left
something in cab and
els he going with your"
Eyes, and he has my ticket and all the
money"
"I'l go and get him. exclaimed the
young man. Don't worry bit. Go and
stand by the rail outside the staterooms-
I'll bring him there"
"But you don't know him."
"Yes. do; l saw him with you FIVE
minutes ago. Don't be afraid"
"If | could only find Mrs. Winslow
and Ethel the girl began.
81 don't know who they are, of course"
cried Howell. but III find them for you
later; your father first"
He ran down the stairs and darted
across the gangway. There was almost
as much confusion on the pier as on the
boat but in a moment he espied the man
of whom he was in search talking with
no b,pon in ba ,niJ1la IF tho niar
"Your daughter wants you" he cried,
grasping the man by the arm. Hurry!
You've only just time enough"
Without waiting for a word in reply,
he hurried the old gentleman across the
gangplank.
whats the trouble?" cried the cap
tive.
We're going to sail in about four Sec
onds," replied Howell calmly, land you
have got your daughters ticket. and she
hasn't any money"
BLESS my SOUL" exclaimed the old
gentleman, thrusting hasty hand into
his breast pocket. is it possible that
I've been so careleSsw
He broke loose from Howelrs grasp
and dashed up the stairway with amaz-
ing agility.
There's no hurry now" Howell called
after him. You will find her by the
rail outside the after staterooms."
In the middle of the passage Howell
violently encountered the old gentleman.
who was returning at high speed.
Get out of the wayr' he cried. pushing
the young man aside. I'm in a hurry.
Oh. l beg your pardon. | didn't recog-
nize you. She isn't there Where CON
she be?
He darted away forward, leaving How
ell somewhat perplexed. 1t was absurd
to suppose that the young woman had
gone to her stateroom. Howell was
much more ready to believe that the err
rant father in his wild excitement had
failed to see her in the crowd beside the
rail. So he traversed the passage and
looked out.
The first person upon whom his eyes
rested was the young lady herself. She
ran toward him with cry of joy.
"You have found him?"
Eyes. He's aboard all right" said
Howell. ~ told him to come out here
and look for you, and he did so, but he
was so nervous that | guess he failed to
notice you"
"Poor fatherr she said. with sigh
He caught an instant's glimpse of the
old gentleman soNrrying by the inner end
Of the passage.
You wait here please" he said to the
young lady. "I'll bring him to you this
time for certain"
ITS so kind of you" said the girl.
The old gentleman's coattails were
just disappearing around the corner of
the structure that runs up through the
middle of the saloon forward of the main
stairway inclosing the upper part of the
machinery and n few staterooms for Off
GERS. Howell made his best speed, but he
had almost completed the circuit before
be overlook his prey.
"Your daughter" he said sternly, "is
gust where I said sac was. Go through
tnat passage aft, the one where we had
The collision, and you'll find her out
side"
'There isn't minute TO lose!" eXclaim-
ed the old gentleman, and in two seconds
more he was out of sight.
Suddenly Howell was aware of a new
connection. Some one seized him by
the arm. He turned to face an elderly
lady of an agreeable countenance, though
her dignity suffered somewhat from the
effect of her excited state of mind. Be-
side her was pink checked, pretty girl.
where has he gomez they exclaim-
ed in chorus.
"Where has who gomez" returned How
ell.
"My husbandw cried the elderly lady.
Papa" exclaimed the girl.
Il don't believe | have the honor Of
his acquaintance" stammered Howell
"Why, we saw you chasing him around
the saloon!' cried the girl.
''You mean that old gentleman with the
gold eyeglasses hanging down his back?'
"Yes, that's papa" said the girl. "Oh.
please take him ashoren'
"Why. I've just brought him aboard
gasped Howell.
'You brought him aboardI' exclaimed
the elderly lady. why did you do that,
sir? 1t was very imprudent. / can feel
the machinery starting under our feet at
this moment
But his daughter told me- Howell
began.
"Why, | never saw yen before in my
lite"' exclaimed the girl. "How dare
you say | told you anything?'
wait II minute-wait where you are!'
cried Howell I'll bring him to you"
He fed madly toward the stern Of the |
boat, darted through the passage that |
has been referred TO several times and |
ran into the arms of the lovely Young
woman in whose service he had enlisted
first.
Where is he?" she asked. Cant you
find him? Oh, it isn't possible that he |
can have gQnesashore againn'