Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-11-28
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"Wcll, ma'am," he said, we've got
your letter all right. and, to tell you
the truth, we was at the depot-Perez
and me and jerry
You was! Well, then, for the land
of goodness, why didn't you let me
know It? Such time as had tryin'
to find out where you lived and ALL"
The captain saw but one plausible
explanation, and that was the plain
truth. Slowly he told the story of the
colored woman and the extension case.
The widow laughed until her spectacles
fell of.
"Well, therew she exclaimed. IF
that don't beat all! don't blame Cap'n
Burgess a mite. Poor thing! l guess
I'd have run. too, II I'd have seen that
darky. She was settin' right in the
next seat to me, and she had a shut
over bag considerable like mine, and
when she got UP to git out she took
mine by mistake. l was good deal
put out about 1t, and ! expect l talked
to her like Dutch uncle when caught
up with her. Dear, dear! Where Is
Cap'n Burgess?"
Hes shut up in fish shanty down
the road. and he's 80 upset that l dun
nos he'll stir from there tonight. Jerry
amt prejudiced, but that darky was
too much for him."
And then they both laughed, the wild
ow because of the ludicrous nature Of
tue affair and the captain because of
the relief that the lady's acceptance
of it Afforded his mind.
Mrs. Snow was the first to become
grave. ''Cap'n Hedge" she said.
there's one or two things l must say
right here. In the first place, amt
in the habit Of answerin' advertise
ments from folks that wants to git
married. I amt SO hard up for man
as all that comes to. Next thing, l
didn't come down here with my mind
made up to marry Capn Burgess, not
by no means. l wanted to see him and
talk with him and tell him jest all
about how things was with me and
find out about him and then Why. If
everything was shipshape. l might
p'raps think about
"Jest SO, ma'am, jest So" broke in
her companion. That's about the way
we felt. You see, there's prob'ly a
long story on both sides, and If you'll
excuse me I'll go down to the shanty
and see if l can't git Jerry up here.
It'll be job, I'm afraid. but
mo, you shan't either. III tell you
what We'll do. It's awful late now
and l must be gittin' up to the tavern.
S'pose, If faint too much trouble, you
walk up there with me and I'll stay
there tonight, and tomorrer I'll come
down here, and We'll all have COM
mon sense talk. P'raps by that time
your friend II have the darky woman
some off his mind too"
They walked up the road together.
the captain carrying the extension
case. They talked, but not Of matri-
monial prospects. Mrs. Snow kew
almost as much about the sea and the
goings and cOmings thereon as did
her escort. and the conversation was
salty in the extreme.
At the Travellers Rest Mrs. Snow
was introduced by the unblushing Fri
as a cousin from Provincetown. and
after some controversy concerning the
price Of board and lodging she was
shown up to her room. Captain Fri
walked home. absorbed in meditation.
Whatever his thoughts We're they were
not disagreeable, for he smiled and
shook his head more than once, as il
with satisfaction. AS he passed John
BaXter's house he noticed that the light
In the upper window was still burning.
Captain Perez was half asleep when
Fri opened the door Of the shanty.
Captain Jerry, however. was very
much awake and demanded to be told
things right away. His friend briefly
explained the situation.
~ don't care If she stays here till
doomsday," emphatically declared the
disgruntled one. 81 sllan't marry her.
What's she like anyhow"
He was surprised at the enthusiasm
Of Captain Eri's answer.
"She's mighty good woman. That's
what think she Is, and she'd make
a fust class wife for any man. hope
you'll say so. too. when you see her.
There amt nothin' hitytity about her,
but she's got more common sense than
any woman ever saw. But there!
shan't talk another bit about her to-
night. Come on home and turn ill.,"
CHAPTER vi.
{" "A LII hands ON deck! Turn OUT
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