The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-30

regarding the surroundings with what that captain thought, was . proprie- tory air. It nettled the skipper. What right had this westerner to plump down into plump Maryland farm and assume the management of e quarter of his beloved schooner? Capt. Humphrey felt that if there was any man he disliked 1t was Bowne.
 MT. Bowne, after the introduction, asked about the Vesta.
 "Is your vessel coppered. captain?' he inquired
 The captain. with rising ire. replied in the negative.
 Pity" said Mfr. Bowne, vessels should be coppered."
 What will you do. now the oysters are overT asked MT. Bowne.
 Capt Humphrey replied. with acer- pity. that if no special business turn ed up he'd wait for garden truck to be ready to ship.
 Why. that would be a big waste of time," objected Mir. Bowne. why don't you nose around for a cargo of wood to Baltimore and carry a load of coal back to some town on the bay?"
 Capt. Humphrey took his leave and strode home white with wrath. In a lady's presence he dared not reply to Bowne's impudent suggestions as he would have liked to and his pent up feelings burst forth on his way home ward in Q gush of profanity amid which the name of Bowne ocurred fre- quently.
 The skipper sat on the poop Of the Vesta in a brown study. He had made a discovery that astonished him. Much as ho disliked the idea of the management of a quarter of the Vesta tn Int Ao I,A that the passing of the entirety of Mis- Pritchett into his posesion wor- ried him more than did the fractional part of his schooner.
 'T'aint possible I've been bitten and didn't know it," unused the skip per. Footsteps on the deck aroused him and looking up he oeheld MT. Bowne and Miss Pricthet advancing aft
 Miss Pritchett sat on chair and Mir. Bowne nosed about.
 Why don't you have wire rigging. captain?" he haid. we have all wire fences in the west"
 T like rope" snapped the skipper.
 Your mast isn't quite plumb, Is it7" continued MT. Bowne.
 "Mebbe your eyes ain't plumb" snarled the captain.
 Your rigging needs a little tar, I think" suggested MT. Bowne.
 T know some fellow needs a little tar and a few feathers" growled the captain. quivering with rage
 After the couple had departed the captain strode up and down his deck like a man destraught. Suddenly he thundered out an order to get a boat ready for him to go ashore. and has, tened toward the Pritchett farm
 Drf on entering the room where the lady was complacently sewing. will you sell the quarter interest in the vesta at any price?"
 No captain" replied Miss Pritchett, pleasantly. T don't want to sell it."
 Then" said the skipper. will you buy the three-quarters interest,"?
 Whats the price. captain" asked Miss Joanna. demurely.
 Me" replied the skipper.
 Really. captain" exclaimed Miss Joanna. "-I-well. yes. suppose I'll pay that price for the interest"
 And the schooner Vesta changed from a proper fraction. for she always behaved well. did the Vesta, into a whole number.
 And this here fellow. Bowne." said the skipper. later, how long is he go- ing to hang around?'
 "Oh. Jared is going bacsk tonight. He came to ask me to go back with him so as to attend his wedding with western girl. but under the circum- stances I think I'll stay home"
 'Hem." coughed the captain.
 But, considering the farm and the Vesta as a composite whole number and with Miss Joanna thrown in, Capt. Humphrey was a very happy man.