St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-05-21

l Lie LII III VI LuSlduO UEeSOS some
| pretty girls. and Polly Tenant was OF
| the fairest crop, hence Capt Marley, de-
spite his forebodings of evil to come,
| could not avoid a feeling of pride at be-
| ing the escort of such a handsome girl
and it was this proud feeling that in
duced him to suggest supper after the
play.
1t was with premonition of evil that
Capt. Marley HE'D himself to Ebenezer
chapel the next evening, and when, in
return for his greeting, Miss Carrie
nodded coldly and sailed on to her bench
: escorted by Brother Jimp, lean, sane
titled young man who admired Miss Gas
kins hugely, he feared the smirch of the
play house was visible on his fore
! head. There was a most eloquent ser
mon, and Capt. Marley fairly opened
the pores of his skin to imbibe it. What
a triumph it would be to walk up the
! aisle and shout forth his entrance
among the elect How it would discom-
ut limp; but, alas, hymns and sertaons
were as Saracen arrows against cru
sader's armor, and he skunk back to his
coal boat as far as ever from Ebenezer
and Miss Carries favor.
Il can't get over the bar" sighed the
captain. Now craft like that Jimp,
he sails in ebb or flow without scraping
bottom"
AS the Venus was delayed in discharg-
ing cargo Capt. Marley spent the two
following days idly respondent. He
dared not visit Miss Carrie, and efforts
at Ebenezer membership he felt were
useless, hence Miss Polly Tenant trip
ping down the companion steps one
morning found him gloomy.
I've come to say good-by," she said.
Pap sails this afternoon
"Sit down." said the captain, max
ing an effort to appear cheerful, and
Miss Polly chatted away merrily until
the entrance was suddenly darkened
and, to the horror of Capt. Marley, Miss
Carrie Gaskins, her mother and Brother
limp entered the cabin.
Capt Marley introduced his guests
with the air of man momentarily ex-
pecting Q shock of earthquake, and when
the young ladies began to talk he lis
tened to their words with keen anxiety.
Eve had sweet time" said Miss
Tenant. "The other evening Capt
Warley-''
Here the captain was seized with
tempestuous fit of coughing.
Let me show you ladies over the
boat he said, desperately.
took me to the theater." con-
tinued Miss Tenant" and afterwards
we had delightful supper. Quite dissi-
pated, assure you"
Capt. Marley sunk back on a locker
and gasped. jumps face darkened with
repugnance to such sinner, but Miss
Carries countenance expressed anxiety.
Miss Tenant was decidedly a pretty
girl.
When Capt. Marley assisted Miss Cas-
kins over the gangplank she said,
softly:
If you are not too hoccupied, Peter,
I'll be 'ome tonight"
The captains heart fluttered. Never
before had her lips called him by his
first name. Peter; it sounded like
promise of peace, or was it only one of
those treacherous Gains between the
bursts of hurricane? So genial was the
manner of Mrs. Gaskins and her daugh-
ter when the captain called that night
that he felt doubtful lest Ebenezer might
have converted him to its fold without
his knowledge.
Some bold men of the sea, noting the
softened demeanor of Miss Carrie, might
have been more aggressive than Capt. |
Marley, but he, dispirited by a long chain |
OF failures, arose to depart without TAX |
ing advantage Of the prevailing fair |
breezes, when Miss Carrie spake:
'I'm afraid I've been ard with you,
Peter. Il dreamed you were sinking in
the great hocean and saying I'd been
ard on you," and Miss Carrie shed |
tears.
Then Capt. Marley saw clear water,
the shoals of Ebenezer, and Brother
limp lay abeam, and his course was
straight ahead.
He placed his arm around Miss Car
RES waist and kissed her loudly.
There were confused murmurs Of next
May" and Polly Tenant shall be
bridesmaid" after which Capt Marley
went to the Venus with the light bouy-
Int step of happy man.
Two months after the wedding rumor
'ayeth that Capt. Marley and his wife
we're seen at the theater, hugely enjoy
ng vaudeville performance.
oS1oc NTH tho nvocporo o1,r -. -n~ |