Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1907-02-01

YOU 10 come Ia with lie. b'lIevr its
Il good notion. Tell You bout ii some
day
But he never did.
Bradley had grown tall AMI broad
during his term OF cruising. lie
had learned self reliance. and his
voice had masterful ring When he
went back 10 Orham nowadays tile
old maids took special delight in hav-
Ing him escort them TO church. and
Miss Tempy'S eyes during the sermon
were oftener fixed upon him than upon
the minister. The money that hr seat
the sisters amounted 10 something
now, and he had an account In the
savings bank.
Now. as he stood by the rail. with his
hands in his pockets. he heard Il step
on the wharf behind him ami turned
10 see Captain Titcomb jumn from the
stringpiece. catch the Shroud and
swing aboard. The captains usually
good natured face hld scowl on it.
and lie was plainly not happy
Bradley touched his cap. How are
things going up at the Office" he
asked.
Plumb 10 the devil" was the short
reply. Then. CHANGING up mt the Young
mans face and looking hmriedly away
again, he added: Come aft. want
to talk to You"
Seated in the dingy cabin. the can.
tain took cigar from his pocket. bit
off the end with 4 Jerk and smoked in
great puffS. Bradley waited for him
10 speak. The shippers III humor and
obvious discomfort had come upon him
the afternoon of the day the Thomas
Doane reached port and had grown
steadily worse. Each morning can
tain Titcomb had spent at the office
of Williams Bros. and when he re-
turned 10 the schooner he had done
little but smoke. scowl and pace the
deck. The second mate was Worried.
but he asked no questions
Brad" said the captain. looking at
the shabby carpet on the cabin floor.
were goin' TO have a new mate"
Bradley was surprised. us Mr.. Bal
ley going 10 leave?" he asked The
old first mate had been as much a
part of the Thomas Doane as her main
mast.
They've given him the Arrow. the
new schooner. He's goin' 10 run her"
"Why, why, Capn Ezra. | thought
she was promised to YOU"
Il thought SO, too, but | missed nv
reck'nin', it seems. Williams he amt
hat the man his brother waS-he
wants me to wait till the other one. the
four master, is off the ways. Then |
can have her if want her"
But she won't be ready for six
tn" Igh | guess from what |
hear she'll be worth waiting for.
Who'll have the old Doane thcn?'
Captain Titcomb crossed his legs. but
iidnt answer Instead he asked:
Brad. how would you like to sail uu-
der Bailey: You ana him got long
first rate. | wouldn't wonder If
'ould git you the second mates berth
III the Arrow. She's bran new and
lean, not like this hencoop." And he
kicked staterOom door with empha-
lis.
Bradley did not hesitate, Il guess
t you can stand the hencoop can" he /
'aid decisively. I'D rather wait with /
'ou, thank you"
u don't knows you'd better. Look
lere. And for the first time the cap
ain raised his eyes. You know |
try to influence you if 'twan't |
or your own good. | honestly think |
twould be better for you if you sailed .
N the Arrow"
But whyT
"Oh, because. Balley's good man
md an 4 sailor"
He isn't half the sailor you are nor
alf the man either"
Much obliged I'll stand for the
allor part, but | amt 50 sure anout
he rest. Brad, sometimes | wish |
admit stuck SO close to owners or
ers' and had took few observations
II my own hook. Maybe then But
IS hard for an old dog to learn new
'icks. spose Fin a fool to worry.
loney's bout all there Is In this world.
int itf''
"A good many folks seems to think
IS
And other folks don't think any the
'ss Of 'em for it. Well, I've laid nv
purse, and I'll stick to it till ais
lue. Brad, will you, as a favor to
he, chuck up your berth here and
zip board the Arrow"
"Cap'n Ez, if you want me to quit
lis packet you'll have to heave me
ferboard; that's allr'
The skipper looked at the clear ewes
nd the firm jaw of the young six
oter opposite.
That goes. does it?" he asked,
That goes. Cap'n Ez, you've been
lie best friend I've ever had eycept
e old maids and-maybe one more. |
mt want you to think I'm not am.
tious, because | am. I'm Just as
iXious to make something of myself
you can be to have me, but I've
AIDE up my mind and, for the pres
t, anyway, while you sail vessel
II with you-unless you really order
Q to quit"
The older man hesitated well" he
Id after two or three puffs at the
,ar. Il ought to order it praps, but ,,
be hanged IL can. Brad Nicker- !
n. think as much of You as
'uld Of son. and your good opinion
wuth-I don't b'lieve you know how :
lch it's with to me. But Shake
nds, will you?" I
'uZzled and troubled. Bradley ex-
,InG L. =