The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-09-15
The WOOing
Of Ann * *
ny J. c. PLUMBER
Copyright, 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Coz

A PEAL of silvery laughter rang out
on the Nereid and went down
wind to the wharf where a brawny ne
gro, eating his dinner of plantain and
raw Goldfish in the shade of tier of
sugar hogsheads, caught the sound and
in sympathy showed his white teeth,
though he knew not the reason for the
merriment.
you look sweet enough to eat, Mr..
Jennings" said Ann, between her
laughing fits. 80
Mr.. Charles Jennings, second mate of
the Neried, probably blushed for, even
in the absence of mirror, he pretty
well knew how he looked. Molasses
was intermiXed with his hair, diluted
with perspiration it ran down his tenn
pies in brown rivulets, while great
patches of the brown, sticky stuff
adhered to his duck breaches and shirt
If there's any task that will utterly
rout mans conceit in his appearance
and make him admit that he belongs
among the pariahs of the human race
1t is when he superintends the loading
of cargo of molasses on a vessel a
typical West India day. For be 1t
known that molasses is loaded in this
way. A number of empty hogsheads
are slowed, bung up, in the hold. Then
a full hogshead is hoisted over the
hatch and by means of hose the con-
tents is carried to the hogshead in the
hold. The men who guide this hose,
especially when the cargo nearly
reaches the deck beams and they are
obliged to lay prone on their stomachs
become picturesque objects of smear
and daub. 81 wish she had come any
other day." groaned Jennings, as he
skunk below to get off those stains and
clothes. ~
burning with desire and chilled with
timidity about this day ever since the
brig sailed from Sierra Leone for Bar
BADGES. where the captains daughter
was to join her. For two years Jen-,
nings had secretly loved Ann Somers,
he felt sure her father would refuse his
consent and then he was extremely
doubtful If Miss Ann would say yes.
She would probably laugh at him and
he dreaded Miss AIMS laugh more than
he did the brusque refusal he expected
from her parent. ...-
The next day the Nereid weighed an
Choir and set sail for Boston, and there
was little balm to the heart of Jen-
nings. Not only was Miss Ann unap-
proachable, but Mr.. Gride, the chief
mate, paid her some very direct atten-
lions. which attentions the young lady
received smilingly and with apparent
favor
"Gride's father is shipowner."
groaned Jennings, he'll be master of
o ship when he gets home and that
catches her."
The heartsore and pessimistic Jen-
nings felt that all the world, as con-
tanned on the Nereid. was against him
He detected dislike in the captains
manner, contempt in Grides way of
looking at him and utter disregard
damed from Miss AIMS turquoise eyes
Added to his troubles his preoccupation
OF mind caused him to make one or
two blunders of the captains orders
which brought down hurricane of
wrath upon his head from that high
dignitary. ..#a 80
Its simply all up with me-" admit
ted Jennings to himself.
Barring brush with the fag-end of
Q cyclone off the Bermudas, the VOYAGE
was uneventful until the brig was in
the latitude of Hatteras, when the mo-
notony was broken by sighting a dere-
lict. one of those Wandering Jews of
the ocean. drifting slowly at beck of
wind and current. AS the craft was evil
IDENTIFY abandoned and was undertaken
the captain did not board her. There
was not q breath of wind, the sails law
Ing listlessly in wrinkles. Capt. Som
ers and Gride had gone below for a
nap and Jennings had the deck. He
was leaning against the rail idly
watching the derelict when voice that
made his blood Jingle addressed him.
II should dearly love to 20 aboard
that vessel" said Miss Ann.
81 don't believe you could get on
her." answered jennings. 81 expect her
deck is awash."
''Still, should love to be close to
her. She reminds me of ghost"
Jennings warily glanced around.
Both officers were below and the crew
on the deck were spinning yarns. What
chance for a short moment of bliss
with Miss Ann all to himself.
III you would like to see her close
ly," said he, "Ill row you over to her.
it's only two-mile pull"
Miss AIMS eyes danced. "I'd like It
OF all things" she said. ST am SO much
obliged to you" stD