Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-01-10
The Narrow Escape
of Captain TumIey.
BY j. c. PIuMMER.

Copyright, 1906. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
The steam collier Patmos lay snugly
moored in Grimsby docks, and in the
cabin of that somewhat dingy vessel
sat Capt. Tumley gazing with wide
open eyes and a perturbed counte-
nance at his sister-in-law, Mrs. Per
kins.
Il tells you Emery" continued that
lady. wagging her head portentiously.
its your bound en- duty to go hup and
hask Julia Pray to be your wife.
You've been a goin' to her 'ouse and
keepin' comp'ny with 'er Tor 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 a pipe
with her father. Capt. Pray. l didn't
go to see 'er"
Mrs. Perkins shifted 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 a fool. Now, l knows she
thinks you were courtin' her, for no
longer than yesterday two days | says
to 'er. Hits Ugh time for Emery Turn
ley to settle down and marry, and she
busts out cryin'. l tells you Emery
you'll ave a girrsbroken 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 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 preoc-
cupied look on his face, in fact so deep
was his preoccupation that he did not
return the salutation of the dock keep
er. 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.
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.
Before he had consumed a quarter
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