Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-11-17
0ne-FOurth
OF the Schooner
VeSta

BY. c. PLUMBER

T HE schooner Vesta turned into the
saxifrage river under full sail and,
after traversinE nine miles Of that
placid stream. Capt Humphrey ported
his tiller and the two negro sailors, in.
spired by some spirited orders from
the skipper. manipulated the sails In
such a way that the schooner passed
.ast ,oul and came TO anchor In
the little town, just beyond the pro.
montory, as easily as a child would
enter It's bedroom.
Capt. Humphrey was in a good
humor for he had carried his last load
OF oysters 70 Baltimore and Il had met
with a ready customer at good prices
and there WAS money in his pocket for
himself and for Miss Joanna Pritchett.
Miss Pritchett owned one-quarter OF
tie schooner Vesta and Capt
Humphrey owned the remaining three
fourtbs. II was the dream Of Capt.
Humphrey 10 own the whole Of that
dainty little pungy, not that Miss
Joanna interfered in his management.
but because he had practically built the
craft and had a very strong affection
for her. Time and time again had he
besought Miss Joanna to sell him her
interest, offering her a really large
sum for II, but the lady for some rea.
son. declined parting with her interest.
"In take this heer money up to Miss
Pritchtt's before | 60 home, said the
skipper to himself after he had noted
with care that the Yesta was safely
anchored. 4 guess she'll be glad to
have some money now crops are being
worked"
Miss Joanna received him with her
usual friendliness
Il hope you have had a pleasant yoy.
age, captain. she said.
yes. MN, very good wage; |
hone things have gone all right on the
farm"
Faith. there was no need for the
aspiration. Things always went well
on Miss Joanna's farm. for she man
eyed her 200 acres TO perfection. She
could tell the state of each field as per.
factly as could a town matron inform
one as 10 the condition OF the nine or
ten rooms in her house which she
swept and garnished each day. From
his stand on the porch the skipper
could see long lines OF blue-green corn
against a background Of brown soil,
row after row Of strawberry plants
ready to burst into white bloom, and
way beyond a sea OF wheat ripping in
the evening breeze as did the captains
native element
81 suppose, MN. you've not thought
ANYTHING about selling your interest IN
the vesta2" asked the skipper, when be
had paid Miss Pritchett her share OF
The schooner's earnings.
Miss Joanna answered in the mega
i've and the skipper, declining press
ing invitation to supper, set out for
home.
mo supper for me" muttered the
skipper. as he trudged along. I've
susnicioned a long time that Miss
Joanna has a laundering after me and
I'm not mooring to any woman, not
me"
As he passed the inn the landlord,
leaning against a porch post, hailed
him as TO Baltimore news.
..Nawthin' new down hyar,' said the
landlord. after receiving the shippers
budget. "savin' that Miss Joanna's
beau has come back"
what beau?" demanded the skipper
aWhy. Jared Bovine. who was sweet
on her years ago He's made money
in the west and has come back plum
sot on gettin' her. They SEE he's the
reason She never married"
Capt Pumphrey continued his way
bomeward rather pensively. He had
RAD an idea that he was the cause Of
Miss Joanna remaining a spinster. A
man hates to be wrong in his opinions.
Cant Humphrey didn't enjoy his
sumner as he was wont And yet It was
one to make Saint Simeon Stylites
brsak the fast Of Lent Oysters Tried
a uniform brown. done exactly to
turn; corn cakes or "slappers when
cannot possibly be produced in any