Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-14

"PAST ALL DISHONOR.


the wharves of New York, whose destina-
ton was Boston. A person who had been
fortunate enough to make this journey in
favorable weather. need not be told that
the trip is delightful, particularly so if it be
made In one OF those floating palaces"
belonging to the Fall River line.
On one of these occasions, lust before
the boat started, pretty girl of perhaps
II or IS stepped aboard, and enquired
tor the steward, and secured
a state-roon. saying she was
going through to Boston. Her manner
was easy and self possessed vet certain
audacious sauciness in her splendid brown
eyes the jaunty way in which she wore
her Turkish hat, her independent air and
nameless suggestion of mischief which
appeared to lurk in every movement, al
rested the observers attention, and seemed
to indicate that she was proficient beyond
her years in the worlds knowledge that
rtutelage. to say the least, had partaken
more of lenence than prudence. Her
dress was rich and exquisitely becoming.
cut with no attempt at conspicuous orna-
ment. Her hair was of the same rich
brown color as her eyes, and fell down to
her waist, resting as lovely on her fair
young shoulders as If each separate hair
were endowd with electric life.
From the moment the vessel started she
was the target of universal attention. The
ladies eyed her very narrowly, and
criticised dress and manner with that mer-
ciless severely known only by the gentler
sex. The gentlemen cast sly glances of adj
miration from beneath their hats and be-
hind their newspapers, and the grayest of
them looked more amiable at sight of her
bright eyes and childish countenance
As we swept out of the Sound she
came on deck, where most of the gentle
men and several ladies were congregated,
and directed a fusilade of small conversa-
tion at the captain, addressing him in q
tone of reckless levity, and with fam
iliarity which started the ladies and
amused the gentlemen, and otherwise
conducting herself in a manner which lett
no doubt as to her social status. In less
than ten minutes every lady on board was
her avowed enemy and not at all afraid
to let it be known: but she chatted on, in
her rolicking way, regardless of smiles or
flowns, apparently the irredeemable de-
votee OF thoughtlessness and folly.
The time drifted slowly by, freighted
with a delicious languor, as the majestic
vessel plunged steadily onward through the
waste Of waters. The passengers lounged
listlessly from deck 10 cabin, reading,
browsing, or musing, as their various tenn.
peraments inclined them but all yielding,
to some extent. to the dreamy content
ment which seemed to prevade the atmOs-
phere.
We were all on deck shortly after tea,
admiring the sunset, which flooded the
sea and sky with transforming splendor
1t was a gay company Eot sad face could
be found amongst us all. The too intense
heat OF the day had subsided. soft breeze
had sprung up to breathe the air was, in
itself, an inspiration.
Our irrepressible and too-confiding Young
lady passenger was there. and her childish
laugh rang out above the rest. She had
selected the good-natured captain and one
or two of his officers as the especial OBJ.
ject of her flippant. though by no
means vicious railery, and they permit
ted it. partly from an acquired habit Of
atfability toward all passengers and partly
because they were pleased at her irresisti-
BILE vivacity.
The lady passengers, of course. shun-
ned and kept aloof from her as from nox-
ious poison, as if her very contact would
breed pestilence. The gentlemen did
likewise, to great extent; more ! be-
lieye, from tender regard for feminine
opinion than from any considerable in
stinct of horror
Suddenly the smile died on her lips, and
her face became inexpressibly sad and
earnest, as she gazed far out across the
water. Her attitude and expression, rs
she stood thus, formed picture which
will never fade in my memory; she
looked so innocent, so childlike, and so in
tensely sorrowful
In a moment she turned to the captain,
with something of her old manner.
Reaching up her delicate white hands, she
took hold OF his abundant whiskers on
each side OF his face as the reader has seen
a petted daughter caress her father,
and looking up into his face. asked, with
great solemnity: 4. ys 4fn
did you ever want to die, captainp"
'Well. no, my child" he replied, some.
what surprised at her changed manner
Il can't say that ever had great desire
to die ~ +. tfs
"And if You had such desire, what would
you do ?" sl
"Oh! in that case, - he said, as he loosed
her hands and turned away, IL think, as it
would be the most available method. /
self"
Scarcely had he finished speak
ing, when she whrled, put one hand on
the railing, and leaped into the sound.
The whole movement was so instantane-
that it was impossible for any one to an
ticipate or prevent il.
A cry OF horror went UP from thoseiwho
saw the movement. Some stood trans
fixed and unable to move, while Others
hurried about in confused excitement.
The captain and his crew worked like the
noble men they were, and had the boats
lowerd and manned almost Instantly.
moment after her disappearance she
came to the surface. There was nothing
scared in her expression, and she made
no struggle to save herselfl Il saw her
face distinctly as she came up, and fam
cied could detect in il the same sorrow
ful look it had worn 4 few moments before
though even that expression could not de-
prive it of a certain jaunty grace which
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