Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-08-31
SELECT TALE.
MY SUpERCARGO. {.
Mold SHTP-MAsTERS STORY!
ny AUSTIN 9. sURDIcx.

aa., NY ship was all loaded and my papers all
made out, my whole cargo being consigned to
American house in Canton. I was young then to
have command of a ship, but had been fostered
ayapon- the big ocean, and the ship my home.
y Was only twenty five, but twelve years of that
Etir.le had been passed on shipboard. and I had
proved my ability by one eu1inently successful
voyagc,and again vasI engaged, at an increased
e,srate of wages,sto take charge of the ship. The
awaer was Mr.. Iehabod Mallef, rich old mer-
chant in whose employ had been for
number of years, and whom respected for his
uniform kindness and generosity. He was a
proud man; nevertheless; but his immense wealth,
which he had accumulated by honest industry and
perseverance,. gave him some justice in his pride.
and he had been SO kind to me surely had
little reason to complain. S,ssFs .se$zHsasss
Tt was lust dark when the ships matches were
closed upon the last article Of cargo The crew
!. were all on board, and the pilot was to come on
board early on the next morning to take US down
with the first ebb of the tide. After matters
were all arranged left the ship in charge of my
y, mate, and then turned my steps towards the
dwelling of Dir. Mallet There was no particu-
lar need of my calling again at the merchants
house, for had no particular business to transact
with him; but had learned to enjoy the society
found there-the society of pure and cultivated
kasnlinds--a society tysofwhich Ihad enjoyed but lit
tie very little, in my life-time-and SO went to
: pass one more agreeable evening. There may
have been one particular person in Mr. Maliet's
I family whom thought of more than all the rest;
but be that as it may, T had not then acknowledg'
ed to myself that such was the fact.
- When rang the oor-bell ] experienced a
sensation which was strange to me, but l:had no
opportunity for reflection, as the door was aimme-
diately opened and with but little formaltyI was
ushered into the drawing-room, where the Iner-
chants family were assembled Mr. Mallet and
his wife were there, and also theirdaughter, Ros-
amond, and one son. Twas very kindly received,
and after shaking hands with the daughter, / was
- INTRODUCED to the son. Robert Malet was very
= young nan,7-only two years older than Rosa
---ssend-very lightly built, and looking like one
- who had been worn down by hard study. This
ii. young man was to be my supercargo. / had new
seen him before as he had been for some years
- in distant city attending college; but his coun
< tenanee at that time did not strike favorably
= not that there was anything positively bad, bu
~ the qualities which noticed were of q negative
.ss2 kind Ithought- he lacked energy,-and thel
--- there was restless look about him which
- ~ thought betrayed mind made uneasy by som
e petty vices and dissipatons. But only saw hin
~41eethen byiamp-light, and as had too much man
ners 10 ST are him directly in the face, my obser
,, -. vation was quite imperfect; and as my concu
$ sions were very hastily arrived at, it would be n
q wonder that they might have been somewhat uu
sssz just. ssszsazttss ss5fszsssas g.zs 9
fssa Robert Mallet had received frere his father
full account Of all the ships ssSST; and ne wa
"a prepared to enter at once upoassais duties. II
was an only son. and it was more in consider;
ton Of his health, than of any particular qualif
cation, that he was placed in the office, for ha
-se received instructions from the old gentleman
oversee the. .commercix Transactions, and, in fac
TO attend to them all, Oily leaving the young ma
to do the writing, and ostensibly act as superca
go. He was not in mood for conversation, al
so bestowed no further attention upon him. ~
sss With Mrs. MalletI could hold, but little soci
b1s talk, for she was one of your proud, reserv