Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-10-14
CHANCES OF
BRISTOL BAY

Ethan Brett stood BY the ships
nlde, and one hand rested lightly on
the hard surface OF the rail. He wore
the blue clothes Of the navy, and the
deep tan Of his skin was touched by
glow of excitement as he watched
the scene before him. Bristol Bay was
dotted with small craft out TO see the
SQUADRON that had dropped anchor in
the harbor the evening before; there
were little rowboats rising to the
crest Of every wave, sail boats scud-
ding before the wind, and noisy mo-
tor boats chufi-chuding to and fro
Bristol was Ethan's native town.
he had walked its streets and sailed
r. bay ever since he could rem ember,
until that day when he had rebellsd
against his testy old father, and de-
olared he would slave no longer in the
dusty factory, but would live as a fel-
low with his means ought TO live. It
had been the meeting Of the Creeks
ard tho senior Brett had prevailed as
the man with the pocketbo0k can pre-
vail over him who has It not But
Ethan had boldly gone to sail the seas
and sent no word home Of his whero-
abouts; he didn't like 10 remember
the beginning OF that life aHoat. the
sort OF thing that had taught the raw
lad to bend his back TO a higher power
as hia fathers rope-end had never
done.
Along the shore from the town was
clump Of red brick buildings cluster
ing about a massive chimney, aud a
thin smoke breathed lightly from It's
height into the clear morning air;
young Brett smiled little grimly as
he watched 1.-THE establishment that
had for It's master. his tall, command
ing father; and the young man won
dered how It was that he could have
gone so boldly and let that door shut
him out into the world
you've got three wishes coming ="
Barrett nodded; he knew the ship
mates voice and felt hand on his
arm.
II wish had enough cash to stay
around this mooring when my enlist
ment runs out" said the other.
Brett nodded again; his own en-
listmeut would be out in two days.
Cant you speak? I'll have the
wishes then-that my father owned
the business yonder; that had a
house with whales jaw-bone in the
yard / can see on the tip-top of that
break-neok hill, and that had a girl
as pretty as one that's come on board
10 see the lieutenant"
The fellow moved off with laugh !;
Brett bowed his head a trifle; the
shipmate's joking words had struck
home; that house with the great jaw
bones IN front was where Ethan had
been born. and his memory Of the
sweet young mother who had died was
all In that setting. Only that third
wish, about the girl. had no meaning
for him; there had been a girl once.
a child-sweetheart who had daintily
demanded that he fetch and carry for
her small whims, and whose face
came back sometimes In the sailors
dreams, but Helen Sesyer did not en-
ter his reckoning of the scheme OF
practbcal things.
The young man turned and walked
along the deck. poised lightly to the
slight motion Of the boat; he saw the
commanding officer at the gangway
taking last word from someone
down below.
You'll see him immediately"
Ethan caught his breath.
Immediately. sir!" said the man
on deck.
VERY well. siri"
Ethan stepped TO the rail and look
cd over; a little motor-boat was
starting to chug-chug of from the
ships side, and at the helm he saw
bis white-haired father; opposite was
she fairest face Ethan had ever seen,
the sweet, pure face Of his child
sweetheart grown to the perfection OF
wcmanhood.
"Brett." called the officer.
Ethan saluted.
aye, aye. sir" ne said.
The officer glanced over the water
Rt the receding motor boat; Ethan's
mouth WAS grim set at the thought
that Helen Seaver had brought that
hRh1 into a strange mans eyes. Was
she not for him?
Brett, your enlistment Is out in
two days. There has been gentle
man here lnqairing II you will eonsid-
er a place in his employ before you
re-endst, and who wishes your reply
communicated 10 .him,"
II saw him. sir!"
"Win you communicate with him ~
The young man drew a sharp
breath between his teeth. A girls
fRce came between him and his curt
refusal.
"Yes, sir!" he said
Two days later Ethan Brett stood
In the rope-walk office His father
wiped his glasses and put them on
again.
Ethan threw back his head; the
civilians clothes hampered him for
the moment; out OF the window he
could see the blue bay and the white
navy ships lying at anchor; the
thought Of this grim mans watchful-