, 1864-05-14

IOath 10 part, and noted not that the veS-
sci was under weigh. In truth, had never
been on board Of one before. But 10 her
parents called upon Margaret, and there
sat she with my hand across her shoulders,
and the vessel not only beyond Leith Roads,
but out of the Firth! There was l, a pen
niless aud involuntary passenger across the
Atlantic. 1t was glorious situation for a
student to be placed in! But the idea Of
enjoying MargSret's company reconCiled me
to it. My mind was made up at once, and
went to the commander Of the vessel and
offered to make myself useful during the
voyage. He agreed to the proposal, and
began to take my first lessons in seaman
ship.
We arrived at Quebec, and, after accom-.
panying the girl loved for more than three
thousand miles, it was hard to part from
her, and l W shed to go up the country with
her father. But he would not hear Of the
scheme. He said that must 60 back TO
my friends; and the master, having found
me Of service on the pas age out, told me
that he considered himself accountable for
me, and must take me back to Leith.
will not bother you with an account Of
my parting with Margaret, nor Of her dis.
trcss, poor thing. More than forty years
have passed, and l never think Of it with
out feeling, | can't tell how, until this day.
Neither will tell you about our passage
home; there was nothing particular in it.
My mother received me as if had risen
from the dead-her joy was unbounded-
she hung upon my neck and wept for hours !;
and, though | did not escape several lectures
from my grandfather, he was not so severe
upon me as anticipated. But said no.
thing to either him or my mother Of Mar
garct Lindsay.
Such was my second session; and my
third aud last was more unfortunate. As l
was now becoming lad, my grandfather
became more liberal, and he allowed me
shilling week for pOcketmoney. But,
during the very first month If the session,
u fellow student advised me to accompany
him to the theatre. / had never been in
one; and, besides the amusement, he said
we should receive lesson in elocutiOn.
needed but little persuasion TO accompany
him, and VIC went to the pit together. Two
young ladies took their seats beside us.
They were wonderous affable, and one Of
them was almost as beautiful rs Margaret
linsday. / sometimes thought they were
too aiiable; but then they were polite
very polite-and they smiled so sweetly
and thanked me 50 kindly for every answer
| WIS able 10 give to their inquiries, that
could not think evil Of them. They
wished us goOl night at the door Of tbs
theatre. aud my friend and l proceeded to
our lodgings. Bat, as we were passing
along the South Bridge
| 'MOfat,' says he to me, whats the
clock?
| put my hand to my watch pocket, but
neither seals nor watch were there. | re-
membered having had il in my hand, be-
tween the play and the farce, in the thea
tire. | Thought should have fallen dead
upon the street. A blindness came over
my eyes. heard the voice Of my grand
fathercrying in my ears, Thomas! Thomas!
reprobate .rcprobate!
| We gave information to the watchmen at
the police-oflice, and at the houses where
such articles are received. But, presfO -
my grandiather's watch, chain, and seals,
were gone. They had vanished like rain
bow, and were nowhere to be found.
Every succeeding day Of the session was
one Of agony and reproach. ! learned no
more. If l opened Iage, Imagination
heard the ticking Of my grandiathel's 5
watch, aud il licked in my ears eternally;
or, as stroye to read, put down my fin
gerand thumb mechanically, 10 tumble with
the chain and seals and they rubbed against
each othcr, and | started and cried-'What
shall | do for the watchr
With heavy and foreboding heart, and
a countenance that bespoke disaster, / re-
turned to Hexham. My welcome was be-
yond my deserving; butsuTper.time came,
and my grandfather, my mother, and my
sell, sat in this little parlor.
What O'Clock is il, Thomas, dearr said
she, kindly.
Had she driven.a knife to my heart, l
would have taken 1t as kind. faltered--
l yentured reply. My grandfather OBJ
served my hesitation, and he inquired
'Where is your watch; sir-the watch
which gave your He laid particular em:
phasis on the latter part Of his question:
my confasioa increased, and stannered
out some excuse about its being in my chest,
/ believed. 'You believe no such thing,
SIR said my grandfather sternly; 'go bring
il instantly. I saw the storm gathering
on bis brow. ! perceived that he not only
suspected the truth, but believed me more
guilty than was. l left the room, as ii
to 60 to my apartment for the watch; but,
scarce knowing what | did, lett the house
by the garden door, and took the road to-
wards Newcastle. Before had proceeded
q mile, my resolution was taken to go to
sea. ........'.
Ireached Newcastle befoSe the inhabi-
tants we're astir. You may suppose that
my experience in the manual duties Of a
seaman were not great, being merely what
/ acquired in q trip across the Atlantic
and back again. But had love for the
sea, and had learned readily. knew that
the clothes which wore were not likely to
procure me berth, and / resolved, as soon
as the shops should open. to offer them to
a second hand dealer, in exchange for the
garb Of sailor.
About seven o'clock l was wandering
along what is called the Close, on the lOcR-
| ont for n shon where shonld be likely 70