, 1864-05-30


my love-" addressing his daughter, g COM
NIT this stray lamb to your charge for the
present; see that he is comfortably settled
in the little crib in your room.
Years passed on; the little foundling had
become tall, handsome STRIPPING Of thir-
teen, as much beloved for his Kind and amia-
BILE disposition as he was admired for his
handsome form and bold and manly spirit,
when Gavin Douglas received q letter from
his son Edward, in Calcutta, informing him
that by the next ship he intended to send
his eldest daughter, who was now seven
years old, home to his care. The ship by
which this letter had been forwarded, hav-
ing met with a succession of light and
battling winds, had made so long passage
that the little stranger whose approach it
announced might be now daily expected.
At length the newspapers gave notice Of
the arrival off the Start of the ship Corn
wallis; and Gavin Douglas prepared to has
ten up to town to receive his granddaughter.
Philip, who was at home for his school holi-
days, aud who was now as dear to Douglas
asif he had been his own flesh and blood, OBJ
tained permission to accompany him. Ow-
ing to long continuance Of easterly winds,
the CORVALLIS made tedious passage up
the Channel, and our travellers were de-
tanned for some days at Gavesend. await
ing her arrival. To Philip this delay was
most welcome; the bustling scenes around
him seemed to arouse the latent energies
of his nature. Accustomed to the peace
fal monotOny Of country life, he felt as
if new sphere Of existence was opened
to him; and everything he beheld bore, in
his eyes, the stamp Of novelty and excite
ment. His great delight was to loiter for
hours at the stairs (Gravesend did not then
boast Of the handsome jetty which now
adorns it, and to gaze at the numerous
craft floating Oh the bosom Of the Thames;
some lying at anchor, and others taking
advantage of the tide to hasten towards
their various destinations. Frank and open
in his manner, eager and anxious in his
thirst for information, the waiermen, who
were always lOunging in numbers about the
stairs. felt pleasure in gratifying his Gu
riosity, and in initiating him into all the
mysteries Of river seamanship; and he soon
leaned to distinguish the different riggs
of the passing vessels, from the lowly "pe-
tcrbOat" to the majestic ship. One morn
ing there was dead calm; the river was
gliding past unruffled by the slightest air;
the cheerful "yo, heave, OH" Of the sail
Ors, and the loud clanking Of the windlass
"pauls," were heard distinctly from some
Of the distant colliers, shortening in cable
preparatory to making q start; while the
rafting Gathering sounds Of the chains
were heard from others, which were Just
" bringing up"-for it was high water. and
the upward bound vessels were obliged to
come to anchor. Philip had been at his
usual post for some time, when his attsn-
tion was attracted by the heavy sluggish
cloud Of smoke which hung in tie wake Of
two steamers, whose low painted chimneys
were seen over the land, which they fitted
past tn great rapidity, while the tall,
naked spars Of large ship lowered far
above them. At length their bulls became
distinctly visible.
"Hand here the glass, Jem," said wa
termam, who was anxiously observing them.
to his comrade; I" let me have squint at
her. All! I'd swear to her among thou
sand! That's the old COrnwallisl Jump
into the boat, Jem, aud let's push out into
the stream"
Away flew our friend Philip to the inn,
to tell his father, as he called him, the vel
come news. The old gentleman hurried
down to the stairs, and the COrhwallis had
hardly let 60 her anchor in Gravesend
Reach, before he and Philip were on her
quarterback, inquiring for Catherine Doug
las. Captain MDougall of the CORVALLIS
received them with the greatest pOliteness.
and, upon Gavin Douglas informing him Of
the cause Of his visit, he was Immediately
ushered into one Of the round-house cabins,
where little dark-eyed girl was playing
with hor ayah.
"Catherine, my DEAR" said Captain
MDougall, "here is your grandpapa come
to visit you"
Little Catherine, as we said before, was
seven years old, and, like most Indian chill
dren, quick and clever beyond her years.
She was a brunette in complexion-so
much so, indeed, that she might have been
mistaken for descendent from parentage
Of the climate in which she had been reared
Her eyes were dark, lively, and brilliant,
aud profusion Of rich black hair fell in
clusters upon her shoulders. The moment
she heard Captain M'Dougall's announce
ment, she dropped the toy with which she
was playing, and ran eagerly up to Doug
las:-
"Arc you really Grandpapa Gavin!"
eyes, my love-" said the old gentleman,
almost smothering her with kisses.
care you quite sure 7" said she: "then,"
looking smilingly up in his face, "I think
love you very much, Grandpapa."
Philip was now introduced, and in Eve
minutes time, the two yosps. people were
sworn friends. Catherine had shown Philip
oil her rich store Of toys, and had answered
all his eager questions about the voyage,
the ship, the uses Of various things in the
cabin, &c. Be not impatient, gentle read
er, at the details Of this childish meeting ;
the happiness or misery Of life often do
pends upon trifes light as air, and ourfriend
Philips future destiny took its hue from
the conscquenceso Of that intimacy of which
We have just been describing the commence
ment. In the course OF q fortnight, the
travellers with their young charge returned
to Eskhall, where the little stranger met
- A.. ~. IL.