Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-29
CHAPTER I.
THE HFIRFss AND THE POET.

ing i'm happiness that day, was the 2Otn
dry Of June in the year Of grace 1I47.
For on that day, being my nineteenth
birthday, | was promoted. though 50
Young, to he mate or chief officer on
board my ship, the Lady OF Lynn,
Captain Jaggard. then engaged in the
Lisbon trade.
will tell you presently how was so
fortunate as to be appreuticed to 20
fine craft as the Lady OF Lynn. Just
now it is enough to set down that she
was the finest vessel in the little fleet
of ships belonging to my young mis-
trcss. Molly Miller ward of Captain
Crowle. There were eight ships, all
her own--the Lady Of Lynn. the ship in
which served my apprenticeship; the
Jolly Miller, named after her father;
the Lovely Molly, after herself; the
Joseph and Jennifer. after her par
ents; the Pride of Lynn. the Beauty
of Lynn the Glory Of Lynn and the
Honor of Lynn-all of which you may
take If you like as named after their
owner. Molly owned them all.
have to tell you in this place why
one day In especial must ever be re.
membered by me as the most surpris.
ing and the happiest that l had ever
known.
was standing on the quarter deck
on duty when the boy came up the
companion. saying that the captain
wanted to speak to me- SO followed.
little thinking of what he had TO say,
expecting no more than some question
about log or cargo. such as the skipper
is always putting to his officers.
In the captains cabin however, I
found sitting at the table not only Cap
tain Jagrard himself but my old
friend and patron, Captain Crowle.
His jolly face was full Of satisfaction
and good humor so that it gave one
pleasure only to look ut him. But he
sat upright and assumed the air Of dig
nty which spoke Of the quarter deck. A
man who has walked that part of the
ship In command doth never lose the
look of authority.
"John PcntcCrosSe," he began. 81 have
sent for you In order to inform you
that on the recommendation of Captain
~ inclined his head in acquiescence-
land with the consent of Miss Molly
Miller, sole proprietor Of this good ship.
the Lady of Lynn, l have promoted
you to the rank Of chief officer"
"Sir" | cried, overwhelmed, for In
deed l had no reason to expect this
promotions for another two or three
years. What can | say"
I'VE don't want you to say anything,
Jack, my lad" The captain came
down from the quarter deck and be.
came my old friend again. GIVE me
your hand. You're young but there's
never a better sailor ahoat, is there,
Captain JaggardT"
None, Captain Crowle; none for his
years
For his years naturally. He's salt
through and through, isn't he, Captain
JaggardF"
and through. Captain Crowle" My
skipper was a man of grave aspect and
few words.
"Well then, let us drink the lads
health And upon that the cabin boy.
who needed no further order dived in
to the locker, produced a bottle, opened
1t and placed three glasses.
"No better Lisbon said Captain
Jaggard, pouring it out. "Gocs even
to the table of the king, God bless
him."
Now. gentlcmcn"-Capt Crowle
pushed glass to me-"first a glass 10
Miss Molly, my little maid. Jack.
you've been her playfcllow, and you're
now her servant"
81 could ask nothing better, sir"
81 know-a good and Jealous servant.
Drink it off, full glass, running over,
10 Molly Miller"
We obcyed, nothing loath.
And now. Captain ,Iaggard, here's
the health Of your new mate, long to
Rerve under You, your right hand your
eyes open when you nrc off the deck.
your sailing master, the keeper of your
log. Jack IcltCcrOssc, | drink to your
good luck"
That was the event which made this
day the happiost in my life. Another
event OF which thought little at the
time was more important still in the
after consequences This was the hui
initiation of Samuel Semplc.
In the evening rs soon as could get
ashore l repaired as in duty bound, to
pay my respects to my young mistress.
She was sitting in the summer house
with some nccdlcwOrk. Beside her sat
her good old black woman, Nigra
Jack" She dropped her work and
Jumped up to meet me. II thought you
would come this evening. Oh, are you
pleaspdf"
"You knew I should come, Molly.
Why, have | not TO thank you for my
promotion"
She gave me her hand with her sweet
frankness and her smiling face.
Il would 'acEo you captain, Jack. but
my guardian viii not hear Of il. All in
good time, though. l am only waiting.
I am proud Of you, Jack, because ev.
erybody speaks so well of you. met
your father this morning and gave him
the good news to rejoice his good old
heart. He was too proud to confess his
Joy. But we know him, don't we, Jack
Well, confess | shall not be happy till
you are Captain Pentecrosse, with
share in every cargo
"Nay, Molly, the ship is yours, and
am but yalr servant, though a proud
and joyful servant"
And so we sat and talked, while Nj