New-York tribune., 1901-03-10
THE CAPTAINS SURPRISE
Clo, Graves, in The Sketch.

me southeastern harbor town Of Grimport is
Sleepy old fashioned place, where antique
pfeJudices survive, stale fashions prevail old
customs strangely linger, like the long strips of
~ oLieo seaWeed hanging up behind the bars Of
uhe queer old public houses and which once were
USED as weather gauges, and ancient saws are
Stih quoted Consequently when Jameson
Salrns met fell in love With and married Isabel
Carhngbrook within the short space of six weeks
irom the arrival of the Venture in port with
ncf cargo OF rum and sugar for the warehouses
Ol haApy * son, beads Mere nodded over cups
Oh Tea IN splnsters' parloTs (GrimpOrt boasts IN
astonishing collection OF old maids); and even
the gOuty Old retired sea CAPTAINS exercising
Win the tud OF their silver topped Malacca
canes. on the Broad Walk between the rows Of
pursuing docksheds and the tiers Of shipping,
slpplng pale Madeira or old Jamaica rum in the
DOW ~lhoow OF the Mercantile Marine Club
House. quoted the m0uldy couplet-
ChanSe your name and keep your letter,
houA wed Tor he worse and not for the better"
iSUt, between ourselves there was scarcely a
elfi In GIlmport, rich poor, pretty or ugly.
who would not have embarked for = life Yoyage
In the good ship Marriage. master and owner
Jameson Cairns. if she had had Isabel Caring
brooks chance, and double allowance of ''Cs"
10 her maicen name. For lem Cairns had what
olc women call "a way with him. and, what
ever kind Of way that may be. il is one that
young ones like.
For the was the beau ideal of a sailor
v ell propoI toned. muscular OF good height and
llne bulld, with curling brown hair and a far
beard, close clipped; a bright gray eye. rather
deep set; blunt, straight Saxon features; q mel
low voice and a hearty laugh, which showed 4
perfect set Of strong white teeth.
He was first mate of that splendid sailing ship
The Venture owned by HaXby & Son, of Grim
port and Jamaica, and he passed his eXamina-
ton Tor Shipmaster'S certificate just before his
wedding, and was to have taken over the com
mand of the Venture the very next voyage, ow-
ing 10 the retirement Of Captain Dunstone her
old skipper. had ali gene We'll
And if you think I'jl be arudging you my
berth Mr.. Cairns" said Captain Dunstone. hold
ing out red, hairy hand across the table Of the
owners office to his second in command I'VE We
sailed together eight voyages for nothing You're
a gentleman and a smart sailor as ever l met
and no rev shin 1.t+ ,.a;,,
Cairns returned the grasp warmly. and for the
well earned compliment gave back a few simple
words OF thanks. The Haxbys father and son,
looked on the handsome young fellow with ap-
proval. Bottled ale and cigars were the table:
bills Of ladins and accounts had been examined.
cheched ana settled; business was over. and the
kindly Quaker owners ready for a little
pleasant chat with their new skipper the sub
lect Of his recent marriage
Thou mast a clear four weeks before thee
friend Cairns said the elder Haxby, with some
thing as closely approaching TO a wink a
venerable Quaker could be expected to manage.
let me counsel thee to make the most the
time before the Venture sails for the West
Indies"
Unless peradventure. friend Cairns decides
10 take his wife with him." said Jeremy. the son.
Captain Dunstone broke into a loud laugh and
clapped Cairns upon the back for the shot had
gone home.
ITO be plain with you. gentlemen" said the
handsome young bridegroom. frankly. that's
what / had in my mind. The cabin accommoda-
tion board the Venture is fresh and
Portable Isabel has a notion of seeing distant
without her if il can be otherwise arrange" "--
Having heard something Of sailors skylarks
ashore in foreign ports" put in Dunstone, syly.
And / don't suppose you gentlemen would
raise any objectiOn2' Cairns looked from
Quaker face the other and the father and
son, as gray, round, and much alike as twO.dried
peas, exchanged a smile. especially If 1 guar
anteed the expenses incidental 10 a little job Of
painting, upholstering and brushing up?
We would not suffer thee 70 be at the charge,
friend Cairns" said the elder HaXby, IF thou
wouldst guarantee not TO so beyond a certain
limit" He exchanged another glance with his
son, who nodded afIirmatiYely. We have de-
sired show thee some suitable acknowiedg-
ment for thy sallantry IN saving the life OF a
youthful relative of family at the risk of
thine own"
Aye of the Great Cayman. il December last.
when he diVed into the middle Of a school Of
sharks to save a lazy little whep Of a prentice
who'd been fishing for bonitos off the jibbOom
stone sheer madness is nay name for action
like that. Suppose one q those Wall eyed, white
beUied brutcs had taken my first mate and left
me to work the Venture home with a drunken
Irishnan like my second officer And all for a
scamp Of a boy whO took French leave at Trinl-
dad along with ar. Carns's watch and chain
are $40 o your money II won't bear
thinking Of"
The lad was dishonest ard prOdigal. even
ns thou saycst friend DUnstone." returned the
elder Haxby calmly; but ne may live TO be
grateful 10 the brave man who saved him. AS
for thee friend"-he handed Cairns a neat
morocco case containing = handsome gold watch
and chan-''ye hope thCu wilt live to show this
to thy grandson and t..at thy wife will accept
from US the furniture. fittings and piano
which have beSDOl.en for the cabin OF the