The National tribune., 1903-07-23

"hEChEhS AND fobbfhS, DESEhiEES ff
contrabands can be awfully aggravating.
Talking to them don't seem to do mite of
good"
THAT piece of fence down by the run
is certainly washed away" continued the
Deacon, 'and the cattle are playing hob
with that wheat l put in so carefully last
Fall, for show piece, anf'-
80, Father, stop worrying. You know
the good old hymn I've so often quoted to
you:
.''Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercies which will break
In blessings on your head
Your matters will certainly come out all
right. They always do. But I can't get
4 moments peace from thinking about
Amanda, and that kitchen, and them Jer
seys. Poor, dear girl, how she is suffer
ing for a mothers care. And them Jer-
seys. They need as much care when they
come in as human beings, and good deal
more than most of the human beings down
here get. Nobody III tend to them right if
| amt there and -
'Now, Mother" said the Deacon, rather
petulanty, for his wifes troubles didn't
seem anything like as important as his
own, don't do as women are apt to, use
all your religion up on your husband, and
keep none for yourself. You do a little
trusting in Providence, too, for Mandy and
them Jerseys"
''Why, Father" CALCULATED the aston
lished matron. 1t was rare that the Dea-
con allowed the least sign of petulance to-
ward her.
There, there. Mother" said the
Deacon, penitent at once. 'That came
out without thinking. 1 didn't mean it.
But I'm awfully fretted over things at
home, and the way this boat is poking
along is souring on me-"
None of these things troubled 81 and
Shorty. They were not anxious to get
anywhere. They were satisfied to lounge
there on deck with their young wives for
ever. The sun was just bright and warm
enough. The breeze sweeping down from
the northwest brought all the fragrance of
Spring, curled the placid water into dane
ing, shimmering wavelets, and tempered
the heat to the proper degree for fullest
enjoyment. Every zephyr seemed bring
ing back to them health and strength, and
what could be more blissful, after their
years of toll, danger and hardship than to
sit there, feeling that it was all over, all
that they had striyen for was on the point
of accomplishment, with the two dearest,
handsomest women in the world beside
them, where they could feast their eyes
upon their beauties, and assure themselves
by the touch Of their hands and the sound
Of their voices that it was all real, and
not dream. What did they care whether
the Fernando Wood went ahead, or stood
still?
1t was bliss Just as it was.
There was nothing left for them to wish
"They say something's broke again
down below, Annabel," said 81, with lazy
coftent. "But don't care This is good
enough for me, right here. I'm not anxious
to get anywhere. 1t can't beat this, and
the chances are against it's being so good.
I'll stay right here with you, if they don't
mind"
"The good Lord must have had a time
hunting around for clay fine enough to
make you, Maria" said Shorty, breaking
long silence, in which he had done moth
ing but hold her hand and drink her in
through his eyes. $50 way, Pete" he
continued, motioning away that eager
young news collector. "'I don't care what
you've found or heard. The wars over,
we're inside our lines, there's nothing for
US to do, and I don't care straw whether
the old tub gets to Washington tomorrow,
or month after next. That's the business
of them that's running her. I amt, thank
tho Lord. She suits me just as she is.
l am not anxious to move her an inch.
I'ye run all the things in this war that
I'm going to. It's the first time since the
beginning Of the war that haven't had
the whole thing on my mind, and I like
the change. Those Of you that want to
hurry on to Washington tinker sround as
much as you please. I amt going to.
Nothing can beat this"
Sandy, emerging from the boiler-room,
dirty, oily, but triumphant, to announce
the stoppage Of the leak, met with SINH
lar rebuff.
Neither of his formerly energetic and
wideawake superiors could be made to
take the slightest interest in or even listen
to any present difficulties and perplexities.
They had had enough Of that in the past
They were now going to let things take
care Of themselves. for q change.
The vessel was certainly drifting nearer
the shore, for now the Deacon could not
only make out distinctly the forms Of
trees, but he could SEQ men moving about,
as If watching the vessel. He called First
Mate Greenville's attention to these, who
studied them through his glass with trou
bled countenance.
sHThav'rs afteP M aure "a vou'rA horn !"