Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-06-05
ABNER'S PROPOSAL.

well said ADner Mullins, survey.
ing the interior Of the kitchen with
evident disfavor, "a wife would come
In kind o convenient Just now!"
II did look as II a woman's hand
was needed to bring order out Of
chaos. Boots, clothing, dishes and
fishing tackle Uttered the floor. A
basket of cleaned fish occupied the only
chair, while the table and sink were
piled with an accumulation Of articles
too varied for description. As for
dirt-dlrt was everywhere!
Folks say I'm untidy," continued
Abner as he eyed the disorder. But
l amt. 1t amt that like dirt; It's
that don't like cleaning up. love
to see things kept nice as well as any.
body. hate dirt worse than poison,
but hate getting rid Of II heap sight
more and he drew a long sigh as he
get about bis uncongenlal task.
There amt q doubt about It," he
went on aloud, . habit which bis soil
tary life had developed. 1T takes
more'n one to run a schooner, land or
sea. It's been growing on me ever
since l was hauled up In dry dock
with rheumatlcs that I'd have to get q
mate. She can boss the galley and I'll
man the ropes II there's foul wealth.
er, l can take to the dory till the
storms bowed out" Here Abner at.
tackled bis breakfast dishes, q task be
particularly detested.
"There will be q lot of things that
amt pleasant about It," he said, as be
thought Of his lost freedom. but I'll
take care what kind of one l get. l
don't want a master hand at anything
but cooking and scrubbing decks. I'm
captain, and won't step down In rank
for anybody"
The notion Of getting married had
been presenting itself to Abner for
some time.
Not that he was lonely; he felt no
need Of companion. His idea Of a
wife was one to keep his house clean
mend his clothes and cook his meals
No more tender emotion stirred In bis
breast
He was getting along In years, and
bis rheumatism was increasing upon
him. One Of these days he would
need some one to take care Of him.
His wife must be young, strong and
capable and amenable; that was all he
asked.
Abner Mullins had lived alone for
many years. The Hermit Of Beach.
Vile he was called by the young PEG.
pie, who regarded him with awe and
suspicion. TO their minds a mystery
hung over his rude dwelling. Did
they not hear Abner talking busily to
some unseen listener.
The truth was, Abner, taclturn to
oil fellow-beings, was fairly garrulous
with himself, and his conversations
were prolonged and emphatic.
Abner had not proceeded far In his
domestic occupation when the cheap
little clock on the shelf struck ten.
He dropped bis dishcloth with evident
relief.
Mess or no mess those fish have
got to be carried to the boat" he said
He took his basket on his arm and
went down the rocky lane to the VII
lage and through the one struggling
street bordered by houses, white paint
ed, but with green blinds and gay lit.
tie dooryards bright with flowers.
The street led to the wharf, admired
by artists and by tourists with came
ras, but which was regarded by the
natives from purely utiitarian stand
point.
An old schooner had been firmly
grounded, propped by stout piles, its
cabin converted into wharf house,
and flight of steps cut into its SIDE
for the landing of passengers
The Mary Dillen had made many a
hard voyage but now she lay at rest.
l4eisurely feet trod her planks, and
the little waves FLASHED gently against
her weathcr-beaten sides-~a peaceful
ending OF n seatossed existence.
AS Abner sauntcred along the shaky
structure which brldged the space be.
tween the schooner and dry land, the
little steamer slowed up to make its
daily landing, and a bevy of village
girls ilocked to the wharf to see the
boat come in, the chief excitement Of
the day.
Inc young women were in high
spirits, laughing, shrieklng and chew.
Ing gum vigorously. Abner's gaxe
was critical
None of them for me-" he remarked
10 himself. 'Gaddng down here at
this hour in the morning, when they
ought TO be doing up their work. A
parcel Of glggling females"
About two weeks after his condem.
nation Of the Beachville maidens the
hermit rowed around the Point to the
sleepy old town Of Bayport with
load OF clans and Holsters. Bayport
was busting metropolis to Abner
and he felt on his guard when he ven.
tured there, for he had a vague notion
that his path would be beset with
sharpers. But nobody tried to take
advantage Of his innocence, and 1t was
not very long before be was returning
LII