Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-04-21
jammed the letter into her hand az
m,,fterfi1R n farewell hurried OF to the

1ammed the letter into hef mana az
muttering farewell hurried OF to tn
Office Of the owners of the vessel AT
from thence back to the vessel.
! In a miracle of time consumption tn
captain reported to Smith & Baggs, New
York, as ready for cargo.
Here's letter for you, captain" sale
one of the clerks, the day the schooner
was to sail, cts been here three days
but that lump of an Office boy dropped i
among some papers"
Capt. Stillcombe put the letter in hi,
pocket and went aboard his schooner
anchored in the stream. r.
Giving orders to get under way h,
opened the letter and read:
Dear Capt. Josh: If YOU'D asked nj
that question I'd have boxed your jaws
AS can't reach to New York and do II
l have to say, yes, I'll marry you and
box them when see you again.
MARCIA PIKE"
"P. S. Don't drown yourself. like
fish and you wouldn't flavor them nicely,
.... LYDIA"
The captain fell heavily against the
taffrail and gaZed blankly over the bay.
Anchors Short" yelled the mate
from the forecastle.
But Capt. Stillcombe said nothing and
the pilot after glancing at him ana
smiling, the air as II for the odor OF al
cohol ordered the anchor heaved up and
the vessel filed away.
When the pilot left the mate came ait
for instructions.
"Pile her up on Fire island or bust he'
into q steamer. l don't care,' said the
captain, darkly.
The mate strobe forward revolving
schemes for the proper management OF
q maniac on the high seas.
The captain shook of the load OF
stupefaction to IN extent about night
fall and resumes command, but with
stony look in his eyes which made the
sailors shake their heads doubtfully.
The David Dill had crossed the bar
and was beating up to Charleston when
a boat put out from an anchored schoon-
er and Capt. Bovine boarded the Dill.
"Dan'l," murmured Capt. Stillcombe
with the deepest gloom.
did you give the letter to Marshy?
asked his friend. 81 didn't get any an
swer."
With a groan of remorss Capt. Still
combe drew the fateful letter from his
pocket and handed it to Capt. Bovine.
"Geemee-ny!" ejaculated Capt. Bovine,
as he read, "she thowt it was from you"
Il ought to hev signed it" continued
Capt. Bovine, II ought 70 hev." Capt.
Stillcombe, with bowed head and round
ed shoulders, resembled some old marine
monster that had boarded the schooner.
"Josh," said Capt. Bovine, firmly, Il
hev, on thinkin', got you into tangle.
You'll hev to marry her."
"What?" gasped his friend.
"Shorely," repeated Capt. BOVINE,
you must marry her. We've been Wis
tim them ladies for years, and it won't
do to mortify Marshy. 1t won't do"
"l'd made up my mind" said Capt.
Stillcombe, feebly, Ito die single"
Sometimes vallyble cargo must be
dumped over to save ship" said Capt.
Bovine, you must dump your resolu.
lions over now"
Cant we untangle it,"
I'VE can't" said Capt. Bovine, stern.
ly. I'm sorry for you, JOSH"
I'm sorry it happened, DAHL"
The two captains shook hands sadly.
Arm in arm, eyes fixed and browa
wrinkled, the two captains walked IN
the street to the Pike residence.
DAHL" asked Capt. Stillcombe, per-
spring profusely, must kiss herr"
"Sartin," replied Capt. Bovine, de-
cisively, land not word about the mis-
take in the letter."
When they were admitted Capt. Still
combe kissed Miss Marcia Intellectually
on the nose, and then they sat in con-
strained silence until Capt. Stillcombe