The Lamar register., 1906-11-07

The steam collier Patmos lay snugly
moored in Grimsby docks. and in the
cabin of that somewhat dinsy 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 portentiously,
Its your bounden duty to go hup and
hask Julia Pray to be your wife.
You've been a goin' to her ouse and a
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. II went to smoke pipe
with her father. Capt. Pray. l didn't
go to see 'er."
Mrs. Perkins smiled her contempt
for such unworldly. Innocence.
| when a 'ouse contains a hold rheu-
matte sailor and a pretty woman, and
a 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 d fool Now, ! knows she
thinks you were courtfn her. for no
longer than yesterday two days | says
10 'er. Hits Ugh time for Emery Turn
ley to settle down and marry, ard she
busts out a cryin' l tells you Emery
you'll ave a girl'sbroken cart on your
soul hif you don't marry Julia Pray"
After Mrs Perkins. who was a born
matchmaker, had departed, Capt. Turn
ley passed 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 run
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 preoc-
cupied look on his face. in fact so deep
was his preoccupation that he did not
return the salutation of the dock keep
err He was on his way to make
| 1t,
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.
1t is rule with hardy men who
drive heavily loaded coal boats down
the east coast to take a hearty drink
before starting and another hearty
one on arriving. Regarding his pres
ent purpose in the light of a 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 table and meditated over
the step he was about taking.
| of his dram he noticed that a man in
a rough pea jacket at neighboring
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
GOODNESS. He did not care for com
pany just then.
Like sailors" continued the man
Il never saw many and that's the rea.
son / like 'em. I'm shepherd just
from Australy'
"Ah!" said Capt. Tumley.
Yes, got a herd OF some 5000. Come
over to England to get woman to
marry me-
Have you asked err" inquired the
captain with interest. for he had been
shuddering at the horror of having to
ask Miss Pray to have him.
NO, | 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"
low 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, coolly.
But you don't know If she'd like
being called out" expostulated the as
founded mariner.
Here's the way It lies. Lived in
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 of to Australy, made my lucky