The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-01-30

liie BOY. 700. was embarrassed, bu
as the two looked at him expectantly
he fidgeted with button on his JACKIE
and said:
'NIiss Prissy. / didn't mean to listen
but the door wasn't shut tight. and
couldn't help hearing what you and
Miss Tempy were saying a little while
ago"
There exclaimed Miss Tempys 81
was afraid of that door. You remem
Der l said so, Prissy."
But Miss Prlssy didn't answer. She
merely looked at Bradley.
II heard what you said" nervously
went on the boy, 'and when you told
about what you was going to do SOS
could go to high school, II thought
first I'd come right in and tell you you
mustn't But then l thought you
wouldn't believe meant 1t or wouldn't
pay any attention TO it il l did, so |
went outside to think it over by my
self And then-then l went right up
to see the cap'n."
II hope" said Miss Prlssy sternly,
"that you didn't repeat our talk to
Cap'n Titcomb without tellin' us you
was goin' to-"
mo- no; he didn't" hastily broke in
the captain. He didn't tell a word.
You've got a pretty fair kind of boy
here, If you want to know" he added,
with more than his usual enthusiasm.
Hum was Miss Prissy's only com
ment. Go on. Bradley"
"All l told him was" said Bradley,
that didn't think It was right for me
to go to school and college when
ought to be earning some money. I'm
going on seventeen now, and lots Of
fellows l know are going to work.
minister" with a look of appeal at
Miss Tempy, land I'd a good deal
rather go to sea. All our folks have
been to sea-my father and my grand
father. Yes, and your father, too, you
know" The last as a happy inspira-
ton.
Don't you think that we know best
what began Miss Prissy, but the
captain again interrupted her.
LET him spin his yarn, Prissy." he
said. "Nothln' is settled yet, so don't
worry"
$50 I went to the cap'n," went on
Bradley, land asked him if he'd take
me on board his schooner. l amt a
sailor, but l know a lot about boats.
and don't get seasick even when it's
mighty rough. Do l. Cap'n Ezra?"
NO" replied Captain Titcomb grave.
ly. You manage TO keep your cargo
from shiftin' pretty well for green
hand"
"And he said he'd take me as a kind
OF cabin boy. Didn't you, cap'n? And
learn me things and get me advanced
as soon as l was fit for It. And he'll
pay me wages, too. right away. There!
And ! won't cost you cent more.
Please let me GO"
The captain did not again visit the
Allen home, although next day Bradley
called on him at his room In the hotel
They talked of the proposed plan, of
course, but Captain Titcomb did not
urge its acceptance. On the contrary,
he spoke very plainly of the disagree
able features of sailors calling and
limited that being aboard vessel was
like being in Jail. only" he said,
there's always a chance for n Teller to
break out Of Jail"
At the end Of the interview he said:
BRAD. | amt askin any questions
bout what made you take this sudden
III, but I'd like to know this: Do the
old maids know bout that Sampson
fund for sailors children? They could
git over a hundred a year ont of that
II they applied for it, you understand p
Il don't believe they'd take a cent if
It was anything like charity" replied
the boy. Miss Prissy especial. She's
awful down on folks that she says are
living on charity"
I'm, hum! l see. Well, l know
Teller that's one Of the head cooks and
bottle washers Of the Sampson crew.
Maybe l could rig it SOS Well, never
mind Don't say nothin' yet"
Three days later it was settled. Brad
ley was to go to Boston the following
Monday with Captain Titcomb and
ship with him as the combination hoy
and roustabout' for a period Of three
months. Really. it was settled when
the captain suggested It, but 1t took
some time for the old maids to form
ally make up their minds to the de-
cided change.
Monday morning Bradley's trunk was
packed, and Barney Small called to
take him and it to Harnlss. The old