Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-12-18

wall they call il gift" and Il gtfi is
supposed 10 run In families. That WAS
really how the idea that he could sing
got SO firmly implanted in Bob's head.
He took his place In the choir Of the
little Wesleyan chapel, and no one
liked to hurt his feelings or minded I'LL
Hilda Trevena. who had been away
teaching in London. came home to
look after her widowed father. Quite
naturally she took command of the
whole tiny fishing village as well as
her father and incidentally became or
gspist OF the unpretentious choir.
Now. Hlja Trevena was very fine.
lovable maid Of twenty-five. and Bob
Pengeliy was fine youth of much the
same age. II was only TO be expected,
therefore. that on summer evenings
they should fall into habit of stroll
Ing along the cliffs. Ii was only TO be
expected also that one night Bob
should find himself tongue tied and
yet madly anxious to speak and should
finally blurt out:
"Hilda. l love ecu
Two nights later, as they sat silent
for u minute or two after a couple Of
hours Of lover talk, Hilda, from the
best Of motives, Numbered.
Bob" she said, now We are en-
snnut mainly zach
other. Would you mind not singing In
the choir any more"
why. what do zee meani' he ex-
claimed in establishment. Not sing In
the choir when I've sung there since |
were temp
"You see, dear. ! want to make our
choir special one. don't want any
but really good voices In it,
Every one IL tell zee as I've always
had as fine voice as any hereabouts.'
be protested.
1T may have been good once. Bob"
she said gently. "hut It's certainly not
good now"
He took his arm from around her
waist and sat up stltfly.
Il certainly never spected to hear
FROM you, Hilda. that can't sing! he
said.
Don't be angry" she pleaded.
The end of 1t was a quarrci-a real,
hot Cornish quarrel, In which each
said twice as much as either meant in
as nasty a way as possible.
Hilda's father was undoubtedly the
leading man Of Polpenny, since he was
the owner of the fish factory.
The news that his daughters engage
ment to Bob Pengelly had been sud
denly broken on came at time when
he was too much perturbed to give il
much attention. A certain fishing
company. owning a large steam feet
having glut Of pllchards. had tele-
graphed him an offer Of a cargo at an
extremely low price. He had wired
back his acceptance, and the steamer
was due to arrive from Plymouth
about half past 10. And during break
fast. while Hilda was telling her news
and trying to pretend to him and her.
self that she did not care, his thoughts
were mainly occupied with wondering
what the fishermen Of PoIpenny would
say and do when the steamer appeared
They were all drift net fishers at Pol
penny, and the pilchard catch was
their principal means Of livelihood A
bad season meant a hard winter
pinched cheeks for the mothers. tight
ened belts for the fathers and no boots
for the children. The fish factory was
their only market All their fish were
sold for cash to John Trevenn. II h,
bought the fish he needed for his Gus
toners elsewhere at lower price
what was to become Of the Polpenn,
fishermen?
As John Treyena drank his cofre,
that morning he regretted that he hat
accepted the steam company's offer
When the steamer hove In sight, {
group Of highly indignant fishermen
were waiting on the quay of the littl,
harbor to welcome It.
whats to do lads?" asked one
"Will zee stand quiet and see the breat
taken out O our chi!dren's mouths?"
Remember the winter that's com
Ing" said another, land let's pitch hi
fish over the side dreckly he come
into harbor!"
"Nay: let's prevent him landin' a
ALL" suggested a third. lets out W!
the boom, SOS he can't get iu!'
The entrance to Polpenny harbo
was passage between two. rock
cliffs, Mt the outside twenty-five fee
wide. and the boom was heavy bear
which was placed across this entranc
on stormy nights to serve the doubl
purpose Of breaking the force OF tn
waves and preventing any of the boat
being washed out to sea.
The village policeman, who had bee
listening with interest, entered an O,
fetal protest.
Look here. mates" he said. u"
doan't say as | doan't sympathize W
zee. but the laws the law. and I've &c
to do my duty Any one as Illegal
prevents a ship from entering will b,
TO be arrested"
"All right, Ned" exclaimed Bob PEI
gelly. us won't do anything illegal!
illegal or not, us have got to kee
that chap hanging about outside wit
his cargo till It's gone badr' said Il
old fisherman surlily.
Hes took up WI Trevena's daugl
ter" jeered another. $50 q course b
stands up for the old skinhint!"
TITS all of with Trevena's daugl
ter" declared Bob hotly. land t
going to teach Trevena legal lesso
all by myself"
He jumped into big, clumsy. leak