Year: 1879

leaned against the tiller and dreamed and
dreamed in a waking fashion of how l
would like to read and write and work,
as had seen ladies sitting and reading
aud working, on the decks Of the big ships,
under the awning; and then had to set
my dreams aside and have q pull at the
sheet or take reef in the sail because
the wind freshened, and all my dreams
passed away.


don't think poor father meant it uu-
kindly, but he seemed TO grow more and
more broken and helpless every day; and
this frightened me, and made me
work to keep the barge clean and ship.
shape, lest the owners should come on
board and see things slovenly, and find
fault with father and dismiss him, and
that knew would break his heart. 50
worked on, and in dull heavy way
father used to thank me; and the time
glided on, till one day, as we were lying
off Southend, with sea CLASSY and not
wind enough to fill the sails, felt my
cheeks begin to burn as l leaned back
against the tiller, and would not turn
my head, because l could hear q boat
being sculled along toward us, and 1
knew it was coming from the great lee
board barge lying astern.


He's coming to see father, l said to
myself at last in choking voice; and as
q hail came [ was obliged to turn, and
there stood up in the little boat he was
sculling with an oar over the stern John
Grove, in his dark trousers, blue jersey
and scarlet cap; and as l saw his sun
burnt face and brown arms and hands l
felt my heart beating fast; and knew he
was not coming to see father, but to see
me.


We had hardly ever spoken, but l had
known John Grove for years now, and
we had nodded and waved hands TO one
another often and often as we had pass
ed up and down the river.


'Heave US q rope, my lass, ne said as
he came close in; and did it dreamily,
ard az soon as had done go l began to
pull it back. but it was too late; he had
hitohed it around the Uhwart of his boat
and was up and over the side before L
could stir; and then he stood looking
down upon me, while felt sometimes
hot and sometimes cold, and as If l
could not speak.


DO you want to see fatherP' I said at
last.


'No my lass, he said, quietly Il want
to see you.'


Mel l faltered, with my face burn
ing. yes, you, my lass he said; and
his handsome brown face lit up, and he
looked so manly as he laid his hand on
my arm.


Prudence, my gall he said, we're
both young yet, for I'm not six and
twenty, but / thought it was time l spoke
to you.


Spoke to me2 1 said, with my face
burning still.


Yes my lass, spoke to you, for we've
been courting now matter of four
years.


Oh, John / cried, bursting ont
laughing aud feeling more at my ease,
why, we've hardly spoken to one anoth-
en-


That's NICE he said, drawing long
breath. Over againl'


Over againl What9' said.


Call me john he replied.


We'll then, John, cried hastily


That's right, Prudence; but as was
going to say, not spoken to one anotherI
Well, how could, we always taking our
turns at the tiller as we werep But all
the same, my lass, I've been always
counting of you, night and day, these
four years, and looking out and longing
for the time when the Prudence would
come in sight and l could give you q
hail and get wave of the hand back.


/ could feel the color coming into my
cheeks again as l heard him speak,
and knew how anxiously had looked
out for his barge coming up or down
the river; and then I began wondering
what it all meant, and soon knew.


Prudence, my lass, he said. I've saw
cd ten dollars, all my own, and our
owner has just given me the command
of a new barge, with as pretty cabin
in as you'd wish to see; and so, my lass,
thought I'd ask you il be as now we've
been courting four years you wouldn't
come to me and be my wifeP'


Nor I said, mo, and shook my head.


i belong to my father, and l could
never leave him-never.


But you'll have to some day, Pru-
dence, he said, looking dreadfully down.
hearted and miserable.


No. l eaid, Il shall never leave him;
he wants me more and more every day,
and must stay


Prudence he said sharply, you
amt playing with me, are your


playing with your


Yes; mean you amt going to take
up with any one else, and go aboard any
other barge-no, no. he cried, 4 won't
be so mean as to ask you that. But, Pru-
deuce, dear, some day you may have to
leave him, and when you do, will you
please recollect as John Grove loves you
better than aught else in the wide world,
and ia waiting for Won TO GOMEZ?