The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-12

Ihe southeastern harbor town OF
Grimport is a sleepy. old-fashioned place.
whore antique prejudices survive stale
fashions prevail, old customs strangely
lincer. like the long strips OF dried sea-
weed hanging up behind the bars OF the
queer old public houses. and which once
were used as weather gauges. and
ancient saws are sim quoted. Conse-
quenty when jameson Cairns met, fen
In love with and married Isabel CarllnR-
brsok within Che short space OF six weeks
with her cargo OF rum and sugar for the
warehouses of Haxby * Son, heads were
nodded over cups OF tea In spinsters par
lors lGrimport boasts an astonishing col
lection OF old maids: and even the gouty
old retired sea captains, exercising, with
the aid OF their silver topped Malscca
canes. on the Broad Walk, between the
rows OF bursting docksheds and the tiers
OF shipping. or slipping pale Madeira or
old Jamaica rum in the bow window OF
the Mercantile Marine Clubhouse, quoted
the mouldy couplet--
Change your name and keep your letter,
fou'n wed for the worse and not for the
better"
But between ourselves. there was
scarcely girl I'm Grimport, rich or poor,
pretty or ugly, who would not have en-
barked for life voyage in the good ship
Marriage. master and owner Jameson
Cairns, N she had had Isabel CARING
brooks chance, and double allowance
of "Cs' TO her maiden name For Jem
Cairns had what old women call "a way
with him." and, whatever kind OF way
that may be, IL is one that young ones
like.
For the man was the beau ideal OF
sailor. Well proportioned, muscular, of
good height and fine build, with curling
brown hair and fair beard close
clippeu, a bright gray eye, rather deep
set; blunt, straight Saxon features; n
mellow voice and hearty laugh, which
showed a perfect set OF strong white
teeth.
lie was first mate OF that splendid sail
ing ship the Venture, owned by Hsxby a.
Son, OF Grimport and Jamaica, and he
passed bis examination for a shipmas-
ter's certificate just before his wedding,
and was 10 have taken over the COM
mand OF the Venture the very next voy-
age, owing To- the retirement OF Captain
Dunstone. her old skipper, had all gone
we'll.
And IL you think I'll be grudging you
my BERTH Mr. Cairns" said Captain Dun
stone, holding out red, hairy hand
across the table OF the owners office To
his second in command we've sailed to-
gether eight voyages for nothing. You're
a gentleman and n smart sailor as ever |
met, and no crew could ship under a bet
ter captain"
Cairns returned the grasp warmly and
for the well earned compliment gave back
few simple words OF thanks. ne Hax-
bys. father and son looked on the hand
some young fellow with approval BOT
tied ale and cigars were on the table;
bills OF lading and accounts had been
amined. checked and settled: business
was over and the kindly Quaker owners
were ready for little pleasant chat with
their new skipper on the subject Of his
recent marriage.
Thou hast a clear four weeks before
thee. friend Cairns. said the elder Hax-
by, with something as closely approach
ing 10 a ~ink as a venerable Quaker
could be expected TO manage. Let me
counsel thee to make the most of the
time before the Venture sails for the
West Indies"
Unless, peradventurc, friend Cairns
decides TO take his wife with him." said
Jeremy, the son.
Captain Dunstone broke into a loud
laugh and clspped Cairns upon the lack,
for the shot had gone home.
ITO be plain with YOU, gentlemen" said
the handsome young bridegroom, frank
ly, that's what ! had I'm my mind The
cabin accommodation on board the Ven
ture is fresh and comfortable. Isabel has
a notien of seeing distant countries and
an objection 10 letting me sail without
n. -.
Having heard something OF sailors
skylsrks ashore in foreign ports" put in
Dunstone, slyly.
"And / don't suppose you gentlemen
would raise any objection?' Cairns look
ed from one Quaker face to the other
and the father and son, as gray, round,
and much alike as two dried peas. eN-
changed smile; especially if 1 guaran-
teed the~expenses incidental 10 "a little
job of painting, upholstering and brush
ing up?"
1--WE would not suffer thee to be at the
charge. friend Cairns said the elder
IIaxby. 'if thou wouldst guarantee not
TO go beyond a certain limit" lie ex-
changed another glance with his son,
who nodded sffirmativSy. We have
desired to show thee some suitable ac-
Acknowledgement for thy gnllantry in saw
ing tho life OF youthful rela-
ttNo W obt hdhiliy ~ tHN ilsb VI Nuiht
own"
AYE, off the Great Cayman, in Decem-
Der last when he dived into the middle
OF n school OF sharks TO save a lazy little
whelp OF a prentice who'd been fishing
for bonitos on the Jibboom end and tum-
bled in among en-" growled Dunstone.
"Sheer madness is my same FOR an ac-
tion like that. suppose one O. those wall
eyed, white beliicd brutes had taken my
first mate and left mo 10 work the Ven
ture home with drunken Irishman like
my second officer. And all for a scamp
OF a boy who took French leave at Trlni-
dad. along with Mr.. Cairns's watch and
chain and $40 o. your own money! IL
won't bear thinking Of"
THE lad was DISHONEST and prodigal.
even ss thou sayost. friend Dunstone."
returned the elder IIaxby calmly; hut
he may live IN he grateful to the brave
man who saved him. As for thee. friend"
--he handed to Cairns a neat morocco
case containing q handsome gold watch
and chain-''wa hope thou wilt live TO
show this 90 thy grandson. and that thy
wife win socept from Va The now furni-
ture httings and piano which we have
bespoken for tho cabin OF the Venture as
= mark or Grstitude for thy bravery and