a brig, sir, a good able brig," said Witherspoon
eagerly. "I don't care if she's a little chunky, neither. I'd make
more money out of her than out o' any o' these gre't new-fangled
things. I'd as soon try to sail a whole lumber-yard to good advantage.
Gi' me an old-fashioned house an' an old-style vessel; there was some
plan an' reason to 'em. Now that new house of Asa Shaw's he's put so
much money in--looks as if a nor'west wind took an' hove it together.
Shaw's just the man to call for one o' them schooners we just spoke
of."

The mention of this rival's name caused deep feelings in their manly
breasts. The captains felt an instant resentment of Asa Shaw's wealth
and pretensions. Neither noticed that the subject was abruptly changed
without apparent reason, when Captain Crowe asked if there was any
truth in the story that the new minister was going to take board with
the Widow Lunn.

"No, sir," exclaimed Captain Witherspoon, growing red in the face, and
speaking angrily; "I don't put any confidence in the story at all."

"It might be of mutual advantage," his companion urged a little
maliciously. Captain Crowe had fancied that Mrs. Lunn had shown him
special favor that afternoon, and ventured to think himself secure.

"The new minister's a dozen years younger than she; must be all o'
that," said the Captain, collecting himself. "I called him quite a
young-lookin' man when he preached for us as a candidate. Sing'lar he
shouldn't be a married man. Generally they be."

"You ain't the right one to make reflections," joked Captain Crowe,
mindful that Maria Lunn had gone so far that very day as to compliment
him upon owning the handsomest old place in town. "I used to think you
was a great beau among the ladies, Witherspoon."

"I never expected to die a single man," said his companion, with
dignity.

"You're gettin' along in years," urged Captain Crowe. "You're gettin'
to where it's dangerous; a good-hearted elderly man's liable to be
snapped up by somebody he don't want. They say an old man ought to be
married, but he shouldn't get married. I don't know but it's so."

"I've put away my thoughts o' youth long since," said the little
captain nobly. "Though I ain't so old, sir, but what I've got some
years before me yet, unless I meet with accident; an' I'm so situated
that I never yet had to take anybody that I didn't want. But I do
often feel that there's somethin' to be said for the affections, an' I
get to feeli