St. Tammany farmer., 1906-11-24

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The steam collier Fatmos lay snugly
moored in Gr1msby docks, and In the
cabin of that somewhat dingy vessel
sat Capt Tumley gazing with wide
open eyes and q perturbed counte-
nance at his sister-in-law, Mrs. Per-
kins.
II tells you Emery" continued that
lady, wagging her head portent1ously,
'it's your bounden duty to go hup ana
hask Julia Pray to pc your wife.
You've been goin' to- her 'ouse and q
keepin' comp'ny with 'er for these four
years and heverybody thinks you are
goin' to marry 'er and, what's more.
she thinks SO. too
But" said the captain, through his
parched lips, Il went to smoke pipe
with her father, Capt. Pray. / didn't
go to see err
Mrs. Perkins shifted her contempt
for such unworldly innocence.
when a 'ouse contains hold rheu'
matte sailor and a pretty woman. and
man like you comes steady visitin'
for four years she is mighty apt to
think he's comm to see 'er. Hif she
don't she's fool. Now, knows she
thinks you were a courtin' her, for no
longer than yesterday two days says
| to 'er. Hits Ugh time for Emery Tum-
| ley to settle down and marry and she
busts out q cryin'. tells you Emery
you'll ave girlsbroken cart on your
soul hif you don't marry Julia Pray"
After Mrs. Perkins, who was born
matchmaker. had departed, Capt. Tum'
ley passed a bad half hour. Ten years
ago, when he was a second mate on
the brig commanded by Capt. Pray, he
had been carried over the rail one
night when there was a high sea rum
ming, and Capt. Pray had promptly
leaped over and had saved him, even
| with the handicap of oilskins and sea
boots to struggle against 1t was a
poor return to make to break the heart
of the daughter of his rescuer, and
Capt. Tumley's mind was promptly
| made up. He had had no idea OF
counting Miss Pray, but he had care
lessly compromised himself and al
lowed the young lady and others to
| misinterpret his intentions. Probably
he had kept eligible men away and
thereby prevented Miss Pray establish
ing herself. His mind was made up.
He would ask Julia Pray to marry
him.
When Henry Tumley left the Grims-
by docks that evening he wore his
best clothes on his back and a prcoc-
cupied look on his face, in fact SO deep
was his preoccupation that he did not
return the salutation of the dock keep
or. He was on his way to make
amends for his carelessness. He was
going to ask Miss Pray to marry him.
There's nothing else for me to do,
| he murmured disconsolately, as he
walked, and then he looked up and
beheld the sign of the jolly Fisherman
swinging in the North Sea wind.
It is q rule with hardy men who
drive heavily loaded coal boats down
the east coast to take q hearty drink
before starting and another hearty
one on arriving. Regarding his pres
ent purpose in the light Of voyage in
unknown seas, Capt. Tumley deter
mined to follow this excellent rule
and, entering the taproom. demanded
spirits. Being accommodated he sat
down at q table and .meditated over
the step he was about taking.
Before he had consumed a quarter
Of his dram he noticed that man in
a rough pea jacket at a neighborfng
table was regarding him attentively,
and presently he came over and Joined
him.
"You're a sailor?' said the man
abruptly, when he had seated himself
/ opposite to the captain.
II am" replied Capt. Tumley, with
| coldness. He did not care for com.
pany just then. +
Like sailors" continued the man.
II never saw many and that's the rea'
son like 'em. I'm . shepherd just
from Australy."
"Ah!" said Capt. Tumley.
"Yes, got 4 herd Of some 5000. Come
over to England to get woman to
marry me-"
Have you asked 'er?" inquired the
captain with interest, for he had been
shuddering at the horror Of having to
ask Miss Pray to have him.
mo, haven't, and I'm not goin' to.
No use. She'll have me sure enough,
but the father don't take to me for .
son-in-law. Ask her and the old man
'ud make trouble right off,, No, no,
don't ask her, but I'm goin' to marry
her"
"'Ow are you goin' to manage it?'
asked the captain eagerly. Here was
| a man of resource. His views would
be valuable.
! "Have the bans called; that's how.
replied the man, c0olly.
But you don't know II shed like
being called out" expostulated the as.
founded mariner.
'4Iere's the way 1t lies. Lived IN a
nearby shiretown. Knew the girl. Fell
| in love with her, and she with me.
Tough nut in them days. Drank,
played cards and old man down on me.
| Went off to Australy, made my lucky