The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-08-01
Out Of the
Prison Ship
BY ELlNOR MARSH

man left MS cluD III LONDON ana, Art
er walking few blocks. turned int,
one Of the parks. While on the pave
ment he heard football sound dis
tinctly behind him, but on reaching the
soft ground II was no longer audible
Presently, however he heard himself
called:
Captain Arbuckle"
Turning, by one OF the oil lamps In
use In those days he saw pale faced
man with white hair.
what would you with me, sir, at
this time OF night?" said the captain,
laying his hand on his sword.
"You do not recognize me, captain.
II is not surprising. am not the man
was when you were In America. Sew
en- or eight years only have been added
10 my age. but several times that have
been added TO my likeness to an old
man. win refresh your memory. Gen.
eral Howe's army occupied New York.
Down ON the bank of the Hudson river
was a cottage where dwelt a girl NAM
ed Mary Ashurst. You made love to
this girl, but one Henry Waterman
stood In your way. You accused him of
being spy, and through your instru-
mentality he was put on board pris-
on ship.
Everybody knows what your prison
ships were. They took In men and
sent them out either corpses or wrecks.
came out what you see me-"
well, my man, what have We 10 DO
now with that which has passed into
history? Your people succeeded In your
Infamous rebellion. That Is all settled,
and If British officer admired Yam
kee maid, why, 'all's fair in war and
love- and In my dealings with you
and her there was both war and love-
you are right, captain, In saying
that we achieved our independence.
That is indeed settled But our affair
remains to be settled. When l got
out of the prison ship was more like
q dead than a live man. Before / re-
covered my strength your army sur
rendered to our general at Yorktown,
and before / could reach you you had
gone back to England. / counSed the
days till / should be able to follow
you. i am here"
With that the American drew his
sword
This is not a usual proceeding But
an Englishman, especially an English
officer, does not pretend to choose the
place or time OF fighting. He is al |
ways ready, and If mayhap he has
rH 81 I'D he t,1jtr artu n
give him punishment he is always
ready to take his medicine like man."
While the speaker was saying this
he was drawing his sword and placing
himself in position for defense.
A few minutes later the watch, hear
ing the clash of steel, ran in the direc-
ton of the sound, arriving in time only
to see Captain Arbuckle lying on the
ground and a man bending over him.
who was dying, said with
his last breath
you've finished me. The girl is In
nocent"
When the watch came up Arbuckle
added to him:
ut was a private affair between two
gentlemen"
A couple of months after this Henry
Waterman, who had recently embark
ed from a ship that had sailed into
New York bay and locked In the East
river, entered Broadway from Wall
street and, passing through Trinity !
continued down the slope I
to the river bank. The spring was
coming on, and the trees in the yards
Of the houses were putting forth their
young leaves. Waterman opened a !
gate, entered yard and. walking up
70 the house, took the brass knocker in
mis- fingers and raped gently. A young
came to the door and on seeing =
he visitor started back with cry. o
Harry! Why have you conner" h
Because know that you are limo a
,ent." p
you would not believe me-" n
Forgive me-" n
She fell into his arms and burst into u
i passion of tears. Presently she look :,
ID up and asked: =,
How have you become convinced !,
II my innocenceT
was tOiu ny the Hldu WIZ put Iu6
Tut Of his way to win you" u, -,
Where have you been?" III
ITO London 1T
And you have seen himr' tn
81 have"
"Why7" ha
He put me in a prison ship on q qu
alse charge" pc
And you have-have punished him. re
Il have. With his last breath he ex- Al
nerated you" wi
She nwound her arms frem about re-
i'm. mr.
you blame me? You loved him" III
Yes, no. There is blood on your tn
ands" 40
Whose blood? The man who wreck no
! me to win you"
He took her again in his arms, and
he did not resist.
These British aristocrats are con.
,ienceless where woman is concern ne
and do not admit that a commoner ~!
as any right to their respect. But "o
ley are men for all that. He met me
ke a man, fought like a man, took oe'
ire before he died to tell the watch gu
at was no murderer and exonerat. sw
| you. He paid the penalty OF his th'
ime with his life. and for this at est
asst we owe him respect" is
A century ago street was c,rf |