The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-07
CHAPTER I.
TIE HEIREss AND TIE POET.

days far eXcelling in happiness that
day. was the Goth day OF June in the
year of grace 1747.
For on that day. being my nineteenth
birthday. l was promoted though so
young, to be 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 I was so
fortunate as to be apprentced to SO
line 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-
tress, 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 Mil
Ter. named after her father; the Lovely
sMolly after herself: the Joseph and Jen-
tnffer, after her parents; 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.
Z l have to tell you in this place why
+ one day in especial must ever be remem-
bered by me as the most surprising and
the happiest that l had ever known.
I was therefore on the quarter deck ON
duty when the boy came up the compar-
ion, saying that the captain wanted
speak TO me. So | followed. little think
ing Of what they had TO say, expecting
no more than some question about log or
cargo. such as the skipper is always put
ting to his officers.
In the captains cabin. however, ! found
sitting at the table not only Captain Jag
gard himself. but my old friend and pa
tron, Captain CrowIe. His jolly face was
an 90 it.
that 1t gave one pleasure only to look at
him. But he sat upright and assumed an
air of dignity 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 Pentecrosse. he began, 81 have
sent for you in order to inform you that
on the recommendation of Captain Jag
gard here'-Captain Jaggard gravely in
Ciined his head in acquiescence-"an with
The consent of Miss Molly Miller. sole pro-
prietor of this good ship. the Lady of
Lynn, have promoted you to the rank of
chief officer
"Sr," j cried. overwhelmed. for indeed
I had no reason to expect this promotion
for another two or three years. What |
can I say?''
I'VE don't want you to say anything, !
Jack. my lad" The captain came down
from the quarter deck and became my old |
friend again. Give me your hand. You're /
young. but there's never a better sailor
ahoat. is there Captain Jaggard?"
None. Captain Crowle; none for his
years"
For his years naturally He's salt
through and through, isn't he, Captain
Jaggard?''
And through. Captain Crowle" Ny
skipper was q man of grave aspect and
few words.
We'll. then. let us drink the lads
health" And upon that the cabin boy.
who needed no further order. dived into
the locker. produced a bottle. opened it
ana placed three glasses.
"No better Lisbon said Captain Jag
gard. pouring it out. Goes even TO the
table OF the king, God bless him.
Now, gentlemen'-Captain Crowle
pushed glass to me-"first glass to
Miss Molly. my lite maid. Jack, you've
been her playfellow, and you're now her
4 could ask nothing better, sir
Il know-a good and jealous servant.
Drink it off, full glass. running over,
to Molly Miller"
We obeyed, nothing loath.
And now, Captain Jaggard. heres the
health of your new mate. long to serve
under you, your right htad, your eyes
open when you are off the deck, your
sailing master. the keeper of your log.
Jack Pentecrosse, l drink to your good
luck"
That was the event which made this
day the happiest in my life Another
event OF which 1 thought little at the
time was more important still in the after
consequences. This was the humiliation
OF Samuel Semple.
in the evening as soon as I could get
ashore I repaired, as in duty bound, TO
pay my respects to my young mistress.
She Was sitting in the summer house
" It'll some needleworl. 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
pleased?"
You knew should come Molly. Why,
have | not TO thank you for my promo
tion?"
She gave me her hand with her sweet
frankness and her smiling face.
Il wo,ld make you captain, Jack, but
my guardian will not hear of it, All in
good time, though, l am only waiting. l
am proud Of you, Jack, because every
body 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? We'll, / /,
confess I shall not be happy till you are I ,
Captain Pentecrosse. with a share in
every cargo.
Say, Molly. the ship is Yours. and l
am but your servant, though proud and >
Joyful servant"
And 50 we sat and talked. while Nigra ,
went on with her work, sitting at the feet !
OF her mistress. whom she watched all !
the time as a dog keeps one eye always ,
upon his master.
Al this time my mistress, as have said, !
was already sixteen years of age, u time :
when many girls are already married. But .
she was still child, or a young girl at
heart. being one of those who, like a +
lne Orleans plum, ripen slowly and are -
all the better for the time they take. In |
person. il ! may speak Of what should be ,
sacred. she WAS finely made. somewhat ,
taller than the average, her hair OF that !
lair color which is the chief glory Of the
English maiden. Lord, If a lisbon girl | ,
could show that fair hair, with those blue =
eyes and that soft cheek touched with | =
rudy hue and the velvet bloom of the :.
her the whole town. with the king and | "
his court and even the grand inquisitor !,
md his accursed crew of torturers a
She was of "a truly afIectionatc DISPOSE | a
ion, her mind being as lovely as her face q
IN manners she was easy and compliant Z
n discourse sometimes grave and some ! !,
Times merry. As for her great possess -
sions, she was so simple i'm her tastes -
ma hnbits. being In all respects like the -
laughter Of plain merchantnan's skin =
Der. that she understood little or nothing =
IF what these possessions meant or what :,
hey might bestOw upon her. n
No one, however, must believe that a
here was any thought or discourse con- =
lNff 4fG 4 had