The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-08-29
CHAPTER I.
THE HEIRESS AND THE POET.


tS&tZ1 I not to confess that
t=~l I have since enjoyed
many days far excell-
ing in happiness that day, was the Goth
day of June in the year of grace 17a7.
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 l was so
fortunate as to be apprenticed to so
fine craft as the Lady of Lynn. Just
now it is enough to set down that she
was the finest vessel in the little feet
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 I 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.
l 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 I had ever
known.
was standing on the quarter deck
6Y1fv yuhn hn 1,1vy ~
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, l
found sitting at the table not only Cap
tain Jaggard 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 at him. But he
sat upright and assumed the air of dig
nifty 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, II have
sent for you in order to inform you
that on the recommendation of Captain
Jaggard here'-Captain Jaggard grave
~ inclined his head in acquiescence-
land with the consent of Miss Molly
Miller, sole proprietor of this good ship,
the Lady of Lynn, have promoted
fo f1,o o11s 80
"Sir!' | cried, overwhelmed, for in
deed l had no reason to expect this
promotion 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 afoat, 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." 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
it and placed three glasses.
mo better Lisbon" said CAPTAIN
Jaggard, pouring it out. "Goes even
to the table Of the king, God bless
himv'
"Now, gentlemen'-C Crowle
pushed glass to me-"frst a glass to
Miss Molly, my little maid. Jack,
= you've been her playfellow. and you're
now her servant''
II 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; here's
the health of your new mate, long to
serve under you, your right hand, your
eyes open when you are off the deck.
your sailing master, the keeper Of your
log Jack Pentecrosse, 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 hui
initiation of Samuel Semple.
In the evening as soon as could get
ashore repaired, as in duty bound, to
pay my respects to my young mistress.
She was sitting in the summer house
with some needlework. 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 I should come, Molly.
Why, have I not, to thank you for my
promotion?' 49,. Ill.,.
She gave me her hand with her sweet
frankness and her smiling face.
II would make you captain, Jack, but
H.