Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-10-11

say he was jest the ticket. An forty
Eve, harness an all as he stands, is
dirt cheap
Again Captain Bean tried to look
critically at the white horse, but once
more he met that calm, curious gaze,
and the attempt was hardly success.
However, the captain squinted solemn
i " over Barnacles' withers and re-
marked:
Eyes, he has got some good lines, as
sou say, though you wouldn't hardly
call him clipper built. Not much sheer
for'ard an a leetle too much aft, eh 7"
At this criticism Jed snorted mirth-
fully.
ooh, / s'pose he's all right" quickly
added the captain. "Fact Is, amt
never paid much attention to horses,
bein' on the wafer so much. You're
sure he'll mind his helm, Jed?'
"Oh, he'll go where you pint him."
won't drag anchor, viii he?''
STAND all day if you'll let him.
"Well, Jed, I'm ready to sign arti-
cles, guess"
1t was about noon that stable boy
delivered Barnacles at Sculpin Point,
His arrival caused Lark Peters to sus-
pend peeling the potatoes for dinner
and demand explanation.
who's the boss for, cap'n?. asked
Lank.
1t was a question that Captain Bean
had been dreading for two hours.
When he had given up coasting, bought
the strip of Massachusetts seashore
known as Sculpin Point, built a COM
Portable cottage on it and settled down
within sight and sound of the salt wa
ter, he had brought with him Lank
Peters, who for dozen years had pre-
sided over the galley in the captains
ship.
More than a mere sea cook was
Lank Peters to Captain Bean. He was
confidential friend, advising philoso-
pher and mate of Sculpin Point. Yet
from Lank had the captain carefully
concealed all knowledge Of his affair
with the Widow Bucket. Fhe time or
confession was at hand
In his own way and with direct
ness peculiar to all his acts did Captain
Bean admit the full sum Of his rash
ness. adding thoughtfully, II s'pose
you won't have to do much codkln
after Stashia comes, but you'll still be
mate, Lank, and there'1 be plenty to
keep you busy on the Pint"
Quietly and with no show Of emotion,
as beftted sea cook and a phHoso-
pher. Melankthon Peters heard these
revelations. If he had his prejudices
as to the wisdom or folly of marrying
widows he said no word. But in the
matter of Barnacles he felt more free
to express something of his uneasiness
II didn't ship for no hostler, cap'ns
an 1 guess I'll make a poor fist at It,
but I'll do my BEST he said.
Guess well manage him between
us, Lank," cheerfully responded the
captain. 81 Amt got much use for
horses myself, but as said, Stashia,
she's down on boats.
Kinder sot in her idees, amt she,
cap'nY insinuated Lank.
well, kinder" the captain admitted
Lark permitted himself to chuckle
guardedly. Captain Bastabol Bean, as
an innumerable number of sailor men
had Learned. was person who gen
orally had his own way. Intuitively
the captain understood that Lank had
guessed of his surrender. A grim smile
was barely suggested by the wrinkles
about his mouth and eyes.
"Lank," he said, ssthe Widow Bucket
an me had some little argument over
this horse business an'-an'-I give In.
She told me fat she wouldn't come to
the Pint if tried to fetch her by
water in the dory. Well, want Sta
shia mighty bad, for she's fine wo-
man, Lank, mighty fine woman, as
you'll say when you know her. So !
promised to bring her home by land
and with horse. I'm bound to do it
too. But by timeg' Here the captain
suddenly slapped his knee. 1--WE just
been struck with notion. Lank, Pm
going to see what you think of it."
For an hour captain and mate sat in
the sun, smoked their pipes and talked