Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-29
THoBURN & NICHOLS, PRoPRIEToRsl
aNo, no, doctor-none of that.s

"But tell you shall pay your debts;-
but beyond that can only assist you t.
: help yourself. What do you say to going t.
= sea!"
A faint smile swept over the youths pal
features at this remark.
IL should make smart hand at sea, doc
tor; can hardly keep my legs on shore
No-no--I must"
"Must what"
"NOnsense, George. Isay, go to sea-
You couldn't 60 into shop, and you would
not it you could. You do not wish to re-
main here amid the scenes of your happier
days. Think of it,
George Ballerton started to his feet and
paced the floor some minutes. When he
stopped new life seemed already at worl
with him.
"If | went to sea what should get!"
"You understand all the laws of foreign
trade!"
"Yes. You know had thorough school.
ing at that in my fathers couating-house. >
"Then you can have the birth of super
cargo"
"Are you sure can get one!"
"Yes."
"And the salary!'
"Two thousand dollars"
"Doctor, will go!''
George Ballerton walked one evening to
:he house of the wealthy merchant, And.
Wilton. 1t was palatial dwelling, and
many hopeful, happy hour had he spent
beneath his roof. He rang the bell, and was
admitted to the parlor. In few minutes
Mary Wilton entered. She was just twen-
ty. She had been waiting until that age to
be George Ballerton's wife.
Some words were spoken, many moments
of profound silence ensued.
"Mary you know all; am going upon
the sea. | am going to work for my living.
| am going forth from my native land a
beggar. cannot stay long now. Mary,
did know you less than door, knowing
you well. did know you as know many
| should give you back your vows and free
you from all bondage. But believe
should trample Upon your heart did do that
thing now. know your love is too pure
and deep to be torn from yeur bosom at
will. So say-wait-wait"
"But why waitl Have not enough!"
Ssh! You know not what you say
There are other feelings in the human neart
besides love. That love is poor profile SIS
passion which puts aside all other consider
ations. We must love for eternity, and so
our love must be Tree Wait, am going
to work."
"But why upon the sea, Why away
where my poor heart must ever beat in anx-
ious hope and doubt as it follows you!'
"Because | cannot remain here. Hun
d.eds of poor fools have imagined that
shudned them because | was too proud
They knew not that it was the tainted at
mosphere of their neral life that summed.
They gloat over my misfortune. Men may
call Inc foolish, but it would kill me 10 stay
here"
"AIas! must it be!'
alt must. You will wait!'
81 will wait even TO the gates Of the tomb. :"
"Then Heaven will bless and preserve
you.'
The ruined youth was upon the ecean-
his voy age commenced-his duty as labo-
rer for his own daily bread fairly assumed.
All. it was strange life for him to enter
upon.
From the ownership Of immense wealth
to the trade books of merchant ship was
a transition il deed! But ere he went on
deck again, he had fairly resolved he would
do his duty come what would short of death.
He would forget that he ever did else but
work for livelihood With these resolves
clearly defined in his mind, he already felt
better.
At first our supercargo W as too weak to
do much. He was very sea-sick, and il last
ed nearly two weeks; but when that passed
off and he could pace the vibrating deck
with a stout stomach, his appetite grew
sharp, and his muscles began to grow
strong. AT first his appetite craved some
of the many deicacies he had SO long been
used to; but they were not to be had, and he
soon learned 10 do without them. The re-
suit was, his appetite became natural in its
wants; and his system began to find itself
nourished by simple food, and in proper
quantities.
For years he had looked upon breakfast
as a meal which must be set out and be
partaken of from fashion. A cup Of coffee
and perhaps piece of dry toast or some
seasoned and highly spiced tit bit, had con-
sttuted the morning meal. But now, when
the breakfast hour came, he approached it
with keen appetite, and felt as strong
and as hearty as al any time of the day.
By degrees the hollow cheek became full
and the dark eyes assumed new lustre; the
color rich and plentiful! came to bis iace;-
the breast swelled with increasing power;
the lungs expanded and grew strong; the
muscles more firm and true; the nerves
grew calm and steady and the garments he
had worn when he came on board had to be
let out some inches in order to make them
compass his person. HIS disposition be-
came cheerful and bright; and BY the time
The ship had reached the southern cape Of
Africa, the crew had all learned to leve
him.
Through storm and sunshine, through
tempest and calm, through dark hours and
bright, the supercargo made his voyage.
In one year from the day he left his ma
tive land he placed his foot again on the
SOL of his native home. But he did not
stop. The same ship, with the same officers,
was going upon the same cruise again; and
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