Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-12-15

| VICIOUS cxpiOitS OI WHICH hc u'tu DeeI
an actor, BY land and sea, in ditferen,
parts Of the world. lie had been in
the wilds of America, through the pam
pas Of South America, over the steppes
Of Asia, and in almost every cline and
zone he had performed deeds Of valoI
and heroism. Tales like these, nara
ted with the impressive air and deeE
voice of Beresford, exalted him great.
ly in the mind Of the inexperienced
young girl.
Yet Beresford had rival. In his
naughty self-complacency, he at first
ignored the rivalry altogether, but AT
length he could not help noticing it.
The young mate in his own way was
no less assiduous than himself in his
attentions. He it was whose hand was
ever ready to assist her over the
treacherous decks; and, worse than
all, he it was who monopolized the
fair lady in stormy days, when the
Hon. Eugene Beresford was forced to
lock himself up aud groan in his state
room The young mate had hand
some face and n musical voice. He
could tell Miss Travers all the secrets
Of the sea, Of perils on the deep, and
dangers oil the rocky shore. He could
sing Of love, and rowing adventure.
and death, and victory. Songs can
often express what the tongue would
not dare to utter in words. and so it
needed but little penetration for Miss
Travers to see that Talbot was over
come by passionate love for her that
bordercd on idolatry In spite OF
their difference in rank, she was not
| shocked at the discovery. The young
mate had intelligence beyond his sta
ton, and gentle manners that would
have graced the highest in the land.
She was tlatterei by her conquest. and
gratified by the devotion Of SO pure
and simple nature as his.
Such was the state Of affairs before
the voyage was half over, and as they
entered the Indian Ocean, Talbot was
manifestly feeding his heart with mad
ambitious hopes, and Beresford was
lsANb pNiuS way W uusoNtihao.S Jt'Ai-
ousy.
At first. Berestord tried TO cut off his
rival by mentioning the subject to Mr..
Travers, The old gentleman was 50
fearfully indignant-not at the mate,
1 but at his informant-that the latter
did not allude to the subject again.
..Zounds, sir - cried he because a
bold sailor is polite to pretty girl, do
YOU pretend TO think that he dare to hope
to marry her. wish my daughter to
rssess sv s asqe9a Sae Sh show S nHa 1sry aaN 6 4
tesy to interfere in tins way. Mr..
| Talbot knows his duty To his passen-
gers. and his place on board this YES
sell"
Mr.. Beresford being thus baked. re-
solved ON another course. He began
| a systematic persecution of the mate,
and carried it out to degree that was
maddcning. The mate endured it all
patiently. contenting himself With re-
mnding him that. as it was an officer ;
duty to make the ship pleasant foi
passengers, he was unable 10 resent
| his conduct. Emboldened by this for
| bearance, which he mistook for COW
ardicc, Berc>ford grew worse and
worse. and at length set no bounds 10
| his insults. lmpe:tinence Of every
kind, coarse jests at his expense, sneers
ridlculc, and taunts Of the most cruel
| and cutting nature. not only in public
! but in private. were showered upon
the head of Mr.. Talbot. The latter,
in spite Of his patience. showed how
deeply he was stung; but his regards
for the rules Of the ship and the com
fort Of the passengers eftectually kept
him from any exhibition Of anger.
Miss Travers looked with surprise at
such scenes as these. She despised
| Beresford for his treatment Of the un-
offending man, but she despised no
less what seemed 10 be the craven
! spirit Of Talbot. She herself would
have turned in fury TO resist one tithc
Of the wrongs which he had endured
50 meekly. Nor did she understand
| how any one who called himself man
! could bear such treatment. Her deli
cacy prevented her from making any
alluson to the subject; yet she show.
ed less cordiality in receiving the po-
lite attentions Of Talbot. She even
evinced greater pleasure for Beresford's
society, in the secret hope that this
might spur the others manhood.
In vain, however. Talbot grew sad
and respectfully withdrew his atten-
tions. The change brought melaL.
choly to her also, for she had learned
to take pleasure in the society of the
mate, and felt its absence to be q
| loss.
Once, at the table, Beresford al
| dressed remark to Talbot of more
than usual severity.
Miss Travers rose.
..For shame ~ said she. ''lf Mr.
Talbot has not the spirit to resent this
| will not countenance it by my pres
ence. These scenes are painful to me
and | will witness them no more
She turned to 60.
Talbot sprang to his feet. His face
was pale, and his eyes blazed with ex
citement.
IL am no coward; entreat you te
stay Miss Travers. l am bound by /
solemn promise not to raise my hant
against any one on shipboard. But i
you give the word will break al
vows, and this very moment l will hur
this puppy overheard"
.'BravO!" cried Mr.. Travers, wh'
had been bursting with rage and con
tempt for Talbot's pusillnamity. Bra
vo! say; Nell, give the fellow th'
word, and let him pay Oft old scores
"No, no, gentlemen. no violence !!