Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-01-11
CHAPTER |.
A FATEFUL CATASTROPHE.

FATEFUL CATASTROPHE.
A wild storm was raging upon the Medi'
terranean Sea, near the close OF a dreary
November day, and sky and waters were
black with the gloom of the sudden and fu-
rious tempest, before which small sailing
vessel was scuddiDg under bare poles ner
build and rigging proclaimed her Sandman.
She was The Gull, Captain farlno master,
on her way from Cagliari to Palermo.
She had on board two seamen, and two
passengers
These passengers were Englishmen, who
had procured passage on The GuH to Paler-
mo, whence they intended to embark by
steamer to Marseilles, the following day.
While the Captain and his assistants
we're attending TO their safety. the two En-.
glishmen stood apart, leaning against the
low bulwarks, and surveying the wild scene
around them.
These men were both young, apparently
of the same age, about three and twenty,
but evidently they were not of the same
station In lite.
One, the more striking of the two, was
aristocratic in his bearing, tall, slender and
handsome, with a frank, smiling mouth, a
pair of fearless blue eyes, set under wide
and massive forehead, and tawney hair
blowing back from his face. Noble, gener-
GUS and kind hearted, he had an adventur-
Gus disposition and dauntless courage
He wss Guy Tressilian, the only son and
heir Of Sir Arthur Tressilian, Baronet of
Tressilian Court, England.
His companion presented remarkable
resemblance to him, being also tall and slen-
der and fair, with tawney hair and mustache
but he had not the frank smile, the bright,
fearless look, or the joyous spirit that char :
acterized young Tressilian. Young as he
was, he had seen much of the dark side of
life, and his experiences had been such as
to develop in him some of the worst quail
ties of his nature.
He was Jasper Lowder, Guy Tressilian' 8
hired travelling companion and bosom
friend
The meeting and connection of the two
had touch of romance. Young Tre.silian
had spent four years in German university
whence he had been graduated with honor.
On leaving the university, in obedience to
his father written command, he had un-
dertaken tour Of the countries inclosng
the Mediterranean Sea, in company with
one of his late tutors. This gentleman be-
ing Unexpectedly promoted to professor
ship, abandoned Tressilian at Baden, leav-
ing him to find another travelling compan-
ion.i
On the evening of the very day after this
desertion, as Guy Tressilian was sauntering
through the streets of Baden, be had been
assaulted by trio of his own countrymen,
all more or less intoxicated 1t was appa-
parent that they took him for another, and
intended to wreak vengeance upon him.
Without allowing him to speak, they forced
him to defend himself Guy was getting
the worst of the conflict when stranger
came running to his assistance, and in
few moments the two had put the ruffians
to fight.
This stranger who came 80 Opportunely to
Guys assistance was Jasper Lowder. His
resemblance to young Tresslian awakened
In the latter a romantic interest. He ques
tuned Lowder, learned that he was poor
and alone in the world, and took him with
him to his hotel. Believing that the simi-
larity of features indicated similarity of
tastes and natures, he engaged Lowder as
his travelling companion, and the past year
they had spent together more like brothers
that like employer and employed.
This storm is regular Levanter," said
Lowder, clinging with both hands to the
bulwarks. ''Do you think the craft will
stand it, Tressilian ?''
"Oh, yes,' answered young Tressilian,
uiping the salt spray from his face. The
Captain knows the Sicilian coast perfectly.
In two hours or less, we shall be in the bay
of Ralermo. In three hours we shall be
domiciled in the best rooms of the hotel
Trinacria, with the best supper which Mes
ser Ragusa can furnish. And to morrow, at
noon" he added, we shall embark for
Marseiles in Messageries steamer"
''And from Marseiles you viii proceed to
England and to Tressihan Court" said
Lowder, with some bitterness. And L
what ia to become of me? | have had a
year of unalloyed happiness, and now comes
back the drudgery, the hopeless toll, the
nnxieties of the wletched old life. You
picked me up at Baden. poor advenUurer
seeking to gain living by teaching English
and the same destiny Is oren to me now"
Tressilian turned his handsome face upon
his companion in surprise and afiectionate
reproach.
Jasper he exclaimed, ''you talk
you friend and brother so long, and loved
you so well, to lose you now? | meant to
have written to my father concerning you
aud your future, Jasper, but his sudden re
call, received yesterday. causes me to return
home without writing. | shall telegraph
from Marseilles that you will come home
with me. And you will, will you not You
will not abandon me, my friend? l will
charge myself with your future. | will see
that you obtain the position TO which your
talents entitle you. You have no ties to
keep you on the Continent ?"
A strange expression passed over Jasper
Iowder's face
mo, have no ties, he said huskily.
And you will 60 home with me?"
What will your father say to my com
ing ?" demanded Lowder He will think
your generosity Quixotic. He will dismiss
from his house the hired companion who
dares to resemble his SON"
A sudden lurch of the little vessel, wave
sweeping oyer the deck, interrupted the
sentence.
''You wrong my father" said Trissilian,
his blue eye. kindling, when the vessel had
righted. ''Tie is the nobl.st man in the
world. He will welcome my friends as his
own. You will love him, Jasper, as | do,
when you know him.
He doesn't seem very affectionate," re-
marked Lowder. You have been away
from your home for 6ve years and he has
but just recalled YOU"
Young Tressilian'. cheeks flushed, as
Lowder saw in the lurid glow that rnomen-
tarily lighted up the tempestuous scene.
You know, or you can guess the reason.
Jasper" he said with something of an et
fort. my father has ward the daughter
of an old friend All hear that wind
shrek! The gale is increasing