The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-02-07
"A GRE AT
ANNOYANCE

folk Va. Chandler was bachelor OF
thirty-lve. Bruce was married man
of forty WHO had left his family at
Point Comfort and come down on the
boat for the day. The two friends
talked over times they had spent to.
gether as boys and mutually agreed
that IN the future they would not again
lose sight of each other.
What can we do to bring ourselves
together occasionallyi' asked Chan
dler
Don't know replied Bruce. per
haps something will turn up.r
By the next mail after their separa-
ton Chandler received a, letter from
his friend. In which, among other
things, he said: I'VE are much worried
about Joe's health. l recommend a
trip 10 the south. but at present mel.
ther my wife nor can go. Indeed we
must leave here for the north within a
few days.
To this Chandler replied that lie had
chartered schooner and with few
friends was going for cruise to Flor
ida. lie would be very glad TO take
Joe along. He would sail from yir-
ginia Beach on the following afternoon.
To this a reply came in the shape OF
a Telegram that Joe would arrive at
Norfolk the next day by The morning
boat in charge OF the captain. Chan
dler. who was busy getting stores
aboard, sent one OF his crew TO the
boat 10 meet the boy. with orders to
bring him by rail to the beach.
All was ready on the schooner. and
Chandler was impatlently waiting the
arrival of the boat with Joe. Present.
ly lie saw the boat coming, and, to his
establishment. in the stern sat girl.
She was apparently about eighteen
years old
What In the name of conscience
began Chandler and stopped.
The boat came alongside, and the girl
stepped on the gangway. ran up the
stairs and met Chandler on the deck
with a pleasant smile. II she was an
invalid, she was not conscious of the
fact.
I'm joe she said.
"Joe?' exclaimed the astonishcd
man.
why, yes. Wasn't It all arranged
between you and fatherY"
My dear Young lady, there has been
mistake | supposed you We're a boy.
You'll have to go back. We are all men
on board this schooner"
Joe began to cry. How can | get
back? I've no one to take me-"
''Confound it, muttered the host.
What are we going 10 do2 / must sail
at once or break into all my plans. Be
sides, have no one to send with you.
Did your father suppose there were TO
be ladies in the partyg"
Perhaps Please don't send me back.
! don't mind the absence Of other ladies'
IL you DON'T
There's no help for it." said Chan
dler Get up the anchor. men"
Chambers friends were three plain
men of business who were interested
with him IN riprap contract. and he
was going with them to Florida TO lay
plans for the work. lie put them in
forward rooms and gave up his own
cabin TO Miss Josephine Chandler, TAX
ing one amidships himself.
Now. It is very different cruise a
lot of men win make cooped up IN a
small vessel having woman aboard
from what il would be without her
Every man looked annoyed The mo-
ment Miss Josephine knew that she
would be permitted to remain she was
braccd by the novelty OF the situation
and WAS in high spirits. She seemed
either unconscious that she was I'M
welcome or didn't mind il she was
Instead Of maintaining a dignlfed
reserve She was all over the ship, ask
ing questions about the compass, the
anchor, the captain, the ropes, and at
one time when no one was very near
her she ran up the ratlines. chattering
and laughing like monkey. The
schooner was rolling considerably, and
before she could be got down she lost
her grip and was overheard. The
steersmn brought the ship about
Chandler plunged in and held the girl
above water till they were dragged on
board, she laughing MS II she consid-
cred the affair very funny.
But gradually Joe came TO be consld-
cred something unique. Bittersweet
perhaps is the best word to explain
how she was regarded She was al
ways in tile way. but somehow the
men liked to have her in the way.
though none OF them would admit II.
They would heap no end Of abuse upon
her when out Of earshot, but obey her
slightest wish when present. As for
Chandler. froIu feeling disgruntled at
her presence lie first came TO tolerate
her. and by the time they reached the
Florida coast he would have considered
the vessel a desolate abode without her.
The investigation that had brought
the party south was over, and the
schooner's prov was turned northward,
but Miss Josephine. happening to come
on deck mt the time and being told
that they We're going home, put down
her foot. declaring that she should not
so home. Chandler. instead Of ignoring
her wishes. consulted with his friends.
but they declined to Interfere The re-
suit was that the schooner now was
.ts... - -. NFav..