The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-10-22
From the Log-Rook of an old sea-Captain.
MY PASSENGER.
BY sYLVANUS COBB. JR.

By SYLVANUS COBB. JR.
My ship cleared from Liverpool, and ]
was bound for the Indies. In the cabin
| had some dozen passengers, most of
whom were army officers who had been
home on leave of absence. Besides these
| had widow woman named Legrand,
and her son whom she called Walter.
Walter Legrand was, according to the
register, five and twenty years Of age
He was slight in his build, or at least, he
seemed so when compared with the stout
infantry officers who surrounded him. He
was of medium height, and smaller than
the ordinary class of men. His hair was
long and curly, and as black as night His
eyes were large and full and burned like
orbs of light set in jet. His countenance
was very pale, and his brow, which was
much higher and fuller than is often seen,
was strongly marked by the blue veins
which stood out upon it. His features
were regular and eminently handsome
the nose prominent and straight, and the
lips very thin and colorless. His hands
were small and delicate as babes His
whole appearance indicated the close un-
swerving student, and think he had the
least of the animal man in his physiogns-
my of any person whom | have ever met
Mrs. Legrand must have been married
when very young, for she could not have
been more than forty years of age, and she
was still beautiful as ever A more love
ly woman is seldom seen. Her hair was
of golden hue, and her eyes seemed made
for the abode of smiles and love, though
it was now oftener sad and downcast.
Her husband had died in India, and she
was going out to settle his estate, she hav-
ing an only brother still there Her hus-
band had been Colonel of cavalry, and
a brave and honest man.
Mrs. Legrand had one female servant
to accompany her, and together they oc-
cupied a small state room which she had
fitted up with my consent, at her own ex-
pense. We found Walter to be very
agreeable companion, though he was re-
served and sedate. He could converse
freely on subjects of general interest, and
at times, he was startlingly eloquent For
one | enjoyed his conversation much.
though | sometimes noticed some of the
military passengers were inclined to wear
a sneer upon their lips when he went
deeply into moral philosophy.
Matters passed on quite pleasantly for
several weeks. To be sure at times LIE
grand received treatment from one or two
passengers which l thought meant insult
and which | should have resented, but he
took no notice of it and so | did not make
myself uneasy. One man in particular,
seemed to dislike the youth 1t was an
captain named Savage He was
a profane, reckless man, and seemed to
hate Legrari simply because he was Sc
unlike himself. Legrand never laughed
nor even smiled at any of his profane
vulgar jokes, but on the contrary, plainly
showed by his looks, that he did not like
them.
We had cleared the southern cape of
Africa, and were standing up into the In
dian Ocean. One day at the dinner table
Captain Savage allowed himself to become
more profane than usual Neither of the
females were present, and he launched
out into course of stories and jests
which were indecent in the extreme. The
wine circulated freely and his boon COM
panions seemed to enjoy the sport huge
ly Several times Legrand cast reprov-
ing glance at Savage, and the latter motto
ed it, but, instead of becoming more de
cent, he only tried the harder to displease
the quiet passenger.
At length the infantry captain became
so outrageously profane and vulgar that
Legrand would stand it no longer, and
quietly moving his chair back, he arose
"Come back here" shouted Savage.
But the young man took no notice of
him.
Come back, | say
Legrand did not turn, but with 4 steady
step kept on and went upon deck.
At length the officers finished their de
sert, and most of them went on deck
Savage went on deck, and as soon as he
saw Legrand standing by the weather miz-
zen rigging, he passed over.
''Mr. Legrand,' he said in highly
tone, why did You leave the
dinner table p
Simply because | wished to, calmly
replied the young man.
But why did You wish to leave it 2
That is question | choose not to ans
wer."
But | choose that you shall
90, | would answer it with pleasure, if
/ thought it would benefit you to know
but fear you would not improve upon it
even were | to tell you"
"Allow me to be the judge. Tell me. y
"Since you are so urgent, | will COM
ply" returned Legrand in tone perfectly
calm and pleasant 'The truth is, sir,
your conduct and speech were so unpleas-
ant that l suffered exceedingly, and so
chose to leave you with those better cal
culated to enjoy or put up with it"
"Ah," uttered the captain, while his
cheeks flushed and his lips trembled.-
"And may l be so bold as to inquire what
part ofmy conduct you thought unbecom-
ing gentleman ?"
"All of it, sir"
"Do you mean to say that l am not a
gentleman p
II have said no such thing. | have
simply answered your own questions.
"But you have intimated that my con-
duct was ungentlemanly."
eyes, sir, [ have plainly said so.'
"Ah, now | have it. l shall demand
satisfaction for that You shall find sir,
that no man calls in question my charac-
ter with impunity."
"Then, my dear sir" said Legrand,
why will you not have some respect for
the feelings of others?"
II have, sir, all that is necessary. Do
you suppose that care for your sicken-
ing, babyish, soft-pated piety? Not bit
OF it. You have insulted me. First at
the table, for actions spe as well as
words. Your lea wing asakyou did, and
thus interrupting me the midst of a
narrative, was gross insult, and you
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