Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-03-25

Giving orders to get under way he
opened the letter and read:
Dear Capt. Josh: If you'd asked me
that question I'd have boxed your jaws.
AS can't reach to New York and do it
have to say, yes, I'll marty you and
box them when l see you again.
MARCIA PIKE"
"P. s. Don't drown yourself. l 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 and
smiling the air as if for the odor OF al
cohol ordered the anchor heaved up and
the vessel filled away.
When the pilot left the mate came ate
for Instructions.
"Pile her up on Fire island or bust her
into a steamer. l don't care" said the
captain, darkly.
The mate strobe forward revolving
schemes for the proper management Oh
a maniac on the high seas.
The captain shook off the load OF
stupefaction to an extent about night
fall and resumed 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
boat put out from an anchored schoon-
er and Capt. Bovine boarded the Dill.
"DanI," 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 remorse Capt. Still
combe drew the fateful letter from his
pocket and handed it to Capt. Bovine.
"Geemee-ny!"e calculated Capt. Bovine
as he read, "she thowt it was from you"
81 ought to hev signed it, continued
Capt Bovine, 'I ought to 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 thinliin', 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
| itin' them ladies for years, and it won't
do to mortify Marshy. 1t won't do"
I'D made up my mind,' said Capt.
Stillcombe, feebly, "to die single"
Sometimes a vallyble cargo must be
| dumped over to save a ship said Capt.
Bovine, you must dump your resolu-
tions over now"
Cant we untangle it?"
1--WE can't" said Capt. Bovine, stern
ly. I'm sorry for you, Josh"
I'm sorry it happened, Danl."
The two captains shook hands sadly.
Arm in arm, eyes fixed and brows
wrinkled, the two captains walked up
| the street to the Pike residence.
"Danl," asked Capt. Stillcombe, per-
spring profusely, must l kiss her?"
"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
arose slowly.
81 am hyar," he said, "to confirm what
was in the letter."
Capt. Bovine applauded audibly with
his hands.
"-and to say that though 1t was Dan'Ps
letter."
Capt. Bownes foot pressed heavily or
speakers and he stopped. "Eedyut!
hissed Capt. Bovine,
Miss Marcia arose, her face scarlet.
"Then it was Capt. Bowne's letter, and
you only delivered it," she said, well
it's not too late tochange." and she etosset
her head. 81 won't change" beloved
Capt Stillcombe, 81 won't let any MAI
hev you but me-"
"Hurrah!" shouted Capt Bovine.
Miss Marcia produced Capt. Bovine.
letter.
"It's a tangle," she said, 'but it's eas.
lily untangled," and she marked with {
pencil and handed the letter to its au
thor
"Beeloved Lydia" he read. "By gum
that suits me egZactly."
at don't suit me-" giggled Miss Lydia
flying into the kitchen, closely pursued
by Capt. Bovine.
81 really wanted LYDIA" confessed
Capt Bovine, as the two captains wen
back to their vessels, "but was afrai,
to ask her, and felt we ought to MARI.
one of 'em. 1 suppose old Capt. Pike il
lookin' down from Heaven and smilin
at both his daughters gettin' hus
bands"
81 don't know whether he's lookin
down or lookin' up" said Capt. Still
combe, meditatively; you see, / sale,
with him."