Year: 1862

g.Aiy father was & merchant, and owned
many ships. He sent them to the West In
dies, the East Indies, and sometimes to Chi
ma. loved the sea and the ships. My father
nsed to allow me to go on board with him
when they were about to sail, or had come
in from long voyages I sometimes took such
little presents on board as sailors like, and
they said would give them lucky voyage
They did not forget me, and broughtme ma
ny nice present from beyond the seas.


"onc day We visited new ship, and found
n now captain, whom l had never seen be.
fore. I thought him very handsome, but
young for such a trust; but found that he
was good and honorable He had been in the
royal navy. A great misfortune to his fami-
ly had made it necessary for him 10 leave
the service and accept the higher pay of a
merchantmen. After one or two voyages We
became acquainted, and he came to love me
better than all the world


"But my father did not love him SO we'll
as another person did-at least, he did not
wish me to love him. 1t was only in the in.
tcryals Of long voyages that I saw him, and
when the time for his arrival drew near, and
tht ship, for me so richly rreighted, was due,
| spent many hours in the observatory on
the top of our house, sweeping the line Of
the horizon with a long spy glass, and watch
ing for the little signal flag that I alone
knew Of and that would tell me HEwas com
ing.


"0ne day this brave, good captain, who
had won my heart, asked my father for my
hand. He could have nothing against him
There could not be q. better or braver man
Hc was nobility ITSELF but was my father
pet and pride, and he was ambitious. l thinl
nothing less than lord would have satisfied
him for a son-in law.


captain Walter came and told me witt
some bitterness, the result of his interview
with my father. knew that he was poor
but knew that this was the only reasonable
objection that could be made to him. and
laid my hand in his-a strong, manly hand
strong and true, and said, BE patient:
am yours, and l never will be any ones bu
yours while this world stands


He went away upon long voyage, ant
very important one, for my father lilieC
him as captain of his ship, and knew vel
that he could trust him to the last drop o
his blood to protect his ship and cargo


When he came home next time l had re
Gected much and determined upon what
ought to do. / did not wait for him to come
and sec me, did not wait for him to ash
me to do any thing. I knew that he coult
not while he was my fathers captain. So
went to the ship, and said Captain Walter
will you leave this all to me, TO do as think
right2


He onlyhe me to his big heart mo
ment, but he looked thousand yesses ou
of his handsome, loving eyes.


The day his ship was to sail on her mex
voyage sent my trunks on board the ship
Then found my captain, and said Come
with me and redeem your promise, and
will keep mine We went to church, Ii
cense was ready, and we we're married Tht
ship was ready to sail, and I knew that m,
father was on hoard to give his last }irec
tions, and see her off, Iwent on board will
ray husband, and my father was not surpri
sed, for had often sailed out with him, ant
returned in the pilot-boat .,


When the ship had got good oding, ant
the pilot was ready to take MS back, my ia
ther said his last words to the captain, ant
shook hands, wishing him good voyage
Come, darling said he to me: say good
by to captain Walter, for We must go now.


Dear fatEer saidI forgive you're darling
/ cannotgo Withsyouipow must sail thi
voyage with oay husband, Captain Walter |


He looked from one to the other to see i
this were jest-oF earnest.





Fatherdear, said |, you could never have
found mo SO good husband So took him
this morning and made him marry me, and
here is the certificate that am his wife.


Poor father He turned very pale, but HI
loved me, and there was no help. He helt
me in his arms and kissed me, while hi