Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-01-30
CHAPTER XVIII.

~ lAPTAIN PEREZ made clean
I'LL breast Of 1t to Captain Err
Sl when he reached home that
ty night. 1t was after II
O'Clock, but he routed his friend out Of
bed Is tell him the news and the story.
Captain Fri was not as surprised to
hear Of the engagement as he pretend
ed to be, for he had long ago made up
his mind that Perez meant business
this time. But the tale Of the fire and
the voyage in the carryall tickled him
immensely, and he rolled back ana
forth In the rocker and laughed until
his sides ached.
The next evening, when the three
captain were together in Jerry's room
after supper, Perez said:
"Eri, It seems to me we've got to do
somethin' bout Mrs. Snow. She was
hired to be housekeeper while John
was sick. Now he's dead, and she'll
think it's queer If we don't settle that
marryin' business. Amt that so?"
EYES," answered Captain Fri lacon-
fcally.
II wish you'd mind your own con-
sarns and give me time" protested
Captain Jerry.
"Time! How much time do you
want? Land Of Goshen! l should
think you'd had time enough"
"Well," Captain Jerry wriggled and
twisted, but saw no loophole. "Well.
give me a month - git up my courage
in and
"A month! A months ridic'lous;
amt 1t, Eri?"
Eyes"
"Well, three weeks then"
This offer. too, was rejected. Then
Captain Jerry held out for fortnight
for ten days. Finally 1t was settled
that within one week from that very
night he was to offer his heart and
hand to the lady from Nantucket. He
pledged his solemn word to do 1t.
Josiah went up to the postoffice late
In the afternoon Of the next day. The
"able seaman" was behaving himself
remarkably well. He had become a
real help to Captain Fri, and the latter
said that sailing alone would be doubly
hard when his foremast hand went
back to school again, which he was to
do very shortly, for Josiah meant to
accept the captains offer and try for
the Annapolis appointment when the
time came.
The boy came back with the mail and
IN item of news. The mail, paper
only, he handed to Mrs. Snow, and the
news he announced ut the supper table
as follows:
"Mr. Hazeltlne's goin' to leave the
cable station" he said.
"Goin' to leave" repeated the house
keeper. "What for?"
II don't know, ma'am. All I know Is
what heard Mr.. Wingate say. He
said Mr.. Hazeltine was gOin' to get
through over at the station pretty soon.
He said one Of the operators told him
So"
"Well, for the lands sake! Did you
know anything bout 1t, Eri!"
"Why, yes, a little. met Hazeltine
yesterday. and he told me that some
folks out west had made him pretty
good offer, and he didn't know whether
to take 1t or not Said the salary was
good, and the whole thing looked sort
Of temptin'. He hadn't decided what
to do yit. That's all there is to It."
There was little else talked about
during the meal. Captain Perez, Cap
tain Jerry and Mrs. Snow argued, sur
missed and questioned Captain Fri. who
said little. Elsie said almost nothing
and went to her room shortly after
the dishes were washed.
"Humph," exclaimed Captain Perez,
when they were alone, II guess your
matchmakin' schemes up spout, Jerry"
And, for a wonder, Captain Jerry did
not contradict him.
The weather changed that night and
It grew cold rapidly. In the morning
the pump was frozen and Captain
Jerry and Mrs. Snow spent some time
and much energy In thawing 1t out It
was later than usual when the former
set out for the schoolhouse. As he was
putting on his cap Elsie suggested
that he wait for her. as she had some
lessons to prepare and wanted an hour
or so to herself at her desk. They
walked on together under cloudy
sky.
II s'pose you was glad to hear the
news last night?" asked Captain
Jerry.
"What news?"
"Why, that bout Mr.. Hazeltine's
goin' away. You're glad he's goin', OF
course"
Miss Preston did not answer imme-
diately. Instead she turned and looked
wonderinsly at her companion.