Middletown transcript., 1901-11-09

Dest ei10rtS, Whicn LETT on my way home
at the lodgings Of Capt. Amos Thorpe.
Though bad spoken Of him as .sold," it
was more in reference to his sea service
than The actual years Of his life. He was
scarce fifty, but somewhat disabled by
rheumatism, and as he never married
had saved considerable sum for this
season-of rest He kept his own estab-
lishment in order, and his rooms were as
clean as the deck Of aman-of-war, which,
as he once told me, was supposed to be
"as white as hounds TOOTH" He had
a live parrot, coral, shells, and q WELL
preserved nautilus souvenirs from many
lands. believed that in supplying him
with some pure and interesting reading
for his lonely hours was doing a real
service.
| Calling at his lodgings few days later,
I found him, in imagination, out on a
voyage in the Aurora.
"Why, I'll be-" he exclaimed,
choking back word. I'm trying 70
knock off swearin', ma'am; it don't fit
professor But here I've been the last
two hours treadin' a ships deck, with
the salt wind between my teeth and sing
ing up the riggin'."
Wouldn't you wish to meet the
writer, Capt. Nat?" asked.
As / made the enquiry, sudden and
startling idea sent the blood to my face.
"That I would so. 'Twould be like
old times to yarn with such fine sea-
dog as him."
Then, as I see your foot is laid up
again, hurry and get well and you shall
have your wish," said.
About two weeks later met the cap
tain on the street and invited him to my
house for the following afternoon. Then
I called on Miss Stott and extended the
invitation to her. The next day went
through the formal introduction,
'sMiss Stott, allow me to present Capt.
Thorpe, great admirer of your writings.
Capt. Thorpe, you now have the pleasure
of meeting Capt. Nat"
Miss Stott held out her hand. The
captain took it uncertainty, staring at
her as if she was some suspicious craft
that had-suddenly crossed his course.
"You-never-wrote' 'em r. he gasped.
es, did indeed, indeed =, asserted The little
woman.
"Well, Pm; Mrs. Maxwell, it don't
get higher than the throat now. Excuse
me, ladies !"
Perhaps you heard of my father, Capt
John stottT' she inquired timidly.
"Capt. John Stottl Why, bless my
soul, sailed with him as mate ten years
ago on board the Lydia Bell"
The big hand went out and covered the |
little one in long and hearty clasp. II
drew two chairs toward the open CRATE, |
with its blazing log, and presently slipped
from the room.
When returned Capt. Amos and Capt. |
Nat were rounding Cape Horn in a gale.
went away again only to find them,
when next ventured in, tossed on the |
wild waves of the Bay of Biscay. I could
almost hear "the pitchy timbers creak"
and ropes rattle about my ears. This
time caused diversion by staying to
pour out tea.
There was spot of pink on each of
Miss Stott's cheeks as she rose to 60, and |
her eyes were bright as a robins. She
no longer looked faded. The old sea-
captain gazed at her with reyerent ad-
miration.s
"T'll see Capt. Nat safe to port," he
said, tueking her hand under bis arm.
There was an answering chirrup-a
note Of coming summer.
A few weeks later was walking |
through the park with my little son
when we came upon the two captains
sitting on the bank of small lake. SO
enhancing was the sea on which they |
were sailing, mentally, that they failed
to notice me. After this it was not sur
prising that should receive visit from
Capt. Thorpe, in which he formally
announced that he was going to be
married.
"God bless you, ma'am," he said,
catching my hands in q grip that left my |
fingers tingling for an hour afterwards.
''only for you might never have found
my mate. God knew that l wanted q
steady hand on the tiller along with me
lust now, 50 He sent me Cap'n Nat"
81 am more thankful than can ex-
press" / exclaimed. Capt. Thorpe, you
must let me have the wedding breakfast >
'Tt will be as my mate says" be re-
turned, with perfect hurricane OF breezy
laughter. 'sShe's goin' to be skipper OF
the boat. I won't hold her to saying
obey when it comes to signin' articles"
For the next day they had arranged
q trip ON the river. Nothing less than
Whit of salt water would satisfy them,
though they somewhat despised the
noisy, over-crowded pleasure boats.
Dinner was late at my home that day.
my husband not returning at bis usual
hour. The streets were growing quiet
when heard news boys shout:
shocking accident on the river-lots
of people drowned No bluffs about
this p
How got to the front door I don't
know. The boy rushed over 70 the light
and thrust paper into my hand. Under
the hall lamp read the headline;
Terrible Collision. The Sea Nynaph-"
1t was the boat in which Capt. Amos
and his little love had gone
was still standing there when my
husband came in. He glanced at my lace
and the paper.
"Capt. Thorpe and his little girl are
safe p' he cried. "Egad, she is 3 brave
woman. The captain got out boat, ana
was throwing life-belts and picking up
the drowning people until the gunwaie