fishermen's memorial and record book. 119 



"You'll be a strong man, won't you, when you grow up?" she 

 says. 



" Yes ; and I'll buy you a prettj^ new dress, and ribbons every 

 year," he answers. 



After all, it is not much they ask for of life, as they sit dreaming 

 and playing on the beach. He will have his vessel, will make stormy 

 trips to Georges and the Banks ; and leave wife and children waiting 

 and praying for him at home. The girl's fancies will always keep 

 bright and warm. She will have a house of her own, with neat, painted 

 floor, and pretty white curtains and quilts, and flowers at the open 

 window in summer. And by and by, when she waits on the beach, 

 her face will be turned toward the sea, not from it as now, and she 

 will be watching for the coming of the loved one's vessel safe home 

 after the storm. 



The thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts. They flow out in 

 strange, sweet ways ; the}' tell a thousand different stories, all in 

 different tones ; they make a fairy laud for children to dwell in. 

 Perhaps we have not guessed this boy and girl's thoughts aright ; no 

 doubt they are a great deal brighter than anything we can imagine, 

 and if we follow them very far, we shall be obliged to stop and rest. 

 Wg know that they are bright and boundless as the sea that lies 

 behind them, for we can see the reflection of them in their happy 

 faces. 



The Cape Ann Fishermen of To-day. 



Those who man the fishing vessels of to-day represent all nation- 

 alities, and present a marked contrast to the fishermen of a quarter 

 century ago, when the}' were composed mostly of native-born citizens. 

 The business has since that time increased so rapidly that it became 

 necessary to look elsewhere for men. Very naturally the supply has 

 been obtained in great numbers from the Provinces, and Nova 

 Scotians represent a large majority of the men now pursuing the 

 vocation. Among them may be found some of the smartest skippers 

 of the fleet. These have made good use of the opportunities presented, 

 and by their good qualities as seamen, capacity to handle a vessel, and 

 possessed with sufficient daring to run the risks of winter-fishing, 

 they have attained good positions. Many of them, who came here 

 with scarcely a dollar in their pockets, are now owners, or part 

 owners, of vessels, showing an energetic spirit of industry and perse- 



