Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-11-07
ACAPITAL STORY.

1t was the day on which the United State.
steamer was due. l waited the event with i'm
patience, for expected it to bring letters tha
would either command my return to America
or give me a furlough, by which might es
cape the foul exhalations which were genera
ting in the densely packed city of London.
Five months previous to that time had con
sented to take charge of delicate financial af
fair that threatened to interrupt, if not entire
ly destroy, the business between an eminent
company in America and some foreign houses
Embarrassing and perplexing as the tangled
transaction had been, it had afforded me a
certain pleasure, for without self fattery,
may only say that l had maintained my posi-
tion through the whole affair with credit. !
had ceded nothing without getting more than
its equivalent; had managed with such salts
faction to my employers that towards the fin
ishing of the business they had left me with
few restrictions. But as began to see a fa-
vOrabe and brilliant terminus to my diploma
cy, 1 also made the discovery that my health
suffering. Travel and ceaseless activity
of mind, along with the nervous stretch to
which my system had been subjected, began to
tell their effects in headache and sleepless
nights, and it was with longing for rest that
had taken the train for Liverpool, that
might get my instructions at the earliest mo-
ment OF their arrival.
1t was, therefore, with no small degree of
room window, that noticed among the craft
floating over the Anglescan waters, the Amer
lean steamer coming In; and no sooner did
the report OF her signal gun announce that
she had touched the wharf, than drove down
for my letters. They were there, but brought
no summons homeward. ssThe cotton CROP -
SO wrote my senior, "was total failure, and
the event would doubtless affect the state of
of the market abroad and it would be neces-
fpr m fo ron in II
such time as could be certain the fluctuations
could have no bearing upon our recent
rangements. / had BETTER" he said, soon
fine myself to England, visit the lakes or
watering place, but not remain there in case of
contingencies" Alter reading the above with
half-checked sigh, buttoned on my linen
coat, and ordered my baggage to be taken to
depot.
The next morning sat down in his Majes-
tvs Hotel. at Brighton, to breakfast of
shrimps and whiting. and after sauntering a.
while on the Downs, and taking bracing sea
bath, returned to my "apartme nts,' as the
obsequious waiter called the twelve by fifteen
feet bed room, and threw myself upon the
lounge. must have slept some time when
1 awoke, my two broad bed room windows,
which faced the sea, were thrown wide open
and through them the wind was rushing, and
Nowlng about the curtains, and bringing on
Its breath the saline scent of the ocean. lay
still as one after waking suddenly ,inhaling the
health freighted air, and listening to the boom
of the waves as they dashed against the beach,
when gruff and heavy voice, which sounded
as if proceeding from behind the lounge, sur
prised me. arose and looking about discov-
cred large open ventilator just over the head
of the couch; that was the medium that con-
yeyed sounds to me. Satisfied, sank back
to my revere, when the voice sounded again,
clearer and louder so that / conld not help
but hear the words.
$50, Bess,' it said, ssyou mean to thwart
me; you think because you have always had
Your own way with me, that you will carry
the day now; but you handle the ribbons too
freely to win the stakes. For instance why
did you refuse to dance with Won Holt last
night and why did you leave the assembly room
without any escort2 go
u lett the room, sir, because Lady Grey
was ready to go, and / refused to dance for the
reason mat Her Won Holt had neglected to
engage my hand for set, and
interrupted the gentleman, "you
took t exception at that, when you knew that |
,.sra- III Hon uia not enter the room until the |
ra' manZnk .! nag commenced. Do you want a
man tied TO your apron string, Bess 2'
"No, father" answered the sweet tones
way" " '0 :" "ny
=. Il should judge not by the clever manner
.la' you exhibit to my friends. Why do Won
REJECT every attention from Won Holt. when II
my desire you should accept them 7''
~ Is because dislike him 2''
- ana whom do you like do you want a
ioss' ho,s a onkef Allow me to inform you, Eliza
., ON h. oonyngbam, that man of larger fortune.
advances to you."
W iather," pleaded the voice, 0let me