Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-08-21
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rf-oncluded from first page. ]

ner and paier than Wnen lcit EnSiduu,
we'll and fit for work. found, however.
with dismav, on presenting myself at the
counting house OF Messrs. Parker & Mills,
that my post was now occupied by an
other.
Every sorry, indeed, Mr.. Harland. "
said the senior partner, screwing up ms
parchment face into grimace OF what
was meant for sympathy, ''but, you see.
men of business cannot afford to indulge
in sentiment. The vessel in which you
were known to have left Ceylon hav-
ing been reported as lost in the typhoon,
with all hands, why, of course i
In short. under the very natural oeilef
that l, the accepted candidate had per-
ished in the wreck of the Saucy Maid,
Messrs. Parker & Mills had filled up the
vacancy. After all. though l was not
dead, was wofully behind the stipulated
time for my arrival in the merchants Of
fee and had no right to complain.
Of all the many foreign adventures in
that Japanese seaport few, suspect, car
ried with him sadder or heavier heart
than did as left the counting house of
those who were to have been my employ
ers. and strolled listlessly down to the
beach. What was l to do? The little
cash / had would suffice to maintain me
in idleness only for short time-not that
] repined at the necessity must work
for living. A few weeks on shore for
the complete restoration OF my health, l
might allow myself, and then, no doubt.
should have to get afloat again as an offi-
Ger ON board some vessel in the coasting
trade. But, in resigning the bright hopes
which had allured me to Nagasaki, l felt
as though were relinquishing all pros
pect of an union with and a happy home
with Dora, and that was hard to bear. In
no way of which / could think could l be
likely to realize speedy competence.
Bread my former profession could afford
me, but not, for MANY weary year, at
any rate, the means to marry And Dora
was too delicate to be fitted for life OF
actual poverty. "Almost BETTER" NUT
tered to myself. as, with downcast eyes
and bowed head / paced to and fro the
battery, where q Japanese sentry in trim
blue uniform was mounting guard over
the bright brass cannon that peered
through the embrasures.
almost better if I had gone down with
Capt. Harris and hs crew in lima Bay. as
was rumored to have done. DisappOint-
ment such IS this can sting more bitterly
than mere physical pain has the power to
do. BY This time, for aught | know, the
news Of my death may have been tele-
graphed TO Europe, and reached Dora.
What stab for her fond little heart the
tidings will be, although they are false.
yet am ruined man; and not for long |
years. il ever, can I hope to-"
"Why, Harland! Harland Haven't
you heard itY No; see by your face,
poor old boy, that you have not. Never
mind! Let me be the first to wish you
joy!'' called out frank, CHEEKY English
voice, as young naval officer, with whom
I had formed sort of friendship while on
beard the corvette, came up painting and
and took me by the hand. "Tve
been looking for you high and low," said
the good natured midshipman; land so,
for that matter have Gibson and Midway.
It's not always that fortune stands so well
by fellow who 80 thoroughly deserves
it." started in dumb surprise at the
speaker, whose words seemed, under the
actual circumstances of my position, to be
frau4ht with the most cruel irony. I'VE
set up rafting cheer when we heard il"
continued yonng Edgerton, tanning his
heated forehead with his straw hat ''and
old Sir Henry looked mast headings and
cl0no sarrests At as, until some one whis-
poFo1 <thst you had been shipmate Of
OurS. aod then the Admiral was Modified.
Ths oddest thing is that you were not
present; th0ueh, perhaps" |
"But why, In the name of common
sense should have been there? Or how
do you suppose. could all this have had
any interest," for me ?" interrupted l, staring
at INV blithe Young friend
Well" rejoined Egerton, looking In
his tnrn surprised, ''you do take your
good luck coolly, Harry. 1t isn't often,
old man, that such q windfall comes in
any fellows way. and I'm afraid that
should not prove so philosophically indif-
ferent in your place, to the good things in
store for me. As it is"
looked at the lad with sort of dull,
puxsled wonder. He and his shipmates
were, felt assured. by far too generous
hearted to make jest of my misfortune
ID losing my appointment. And yet. what |
> satire on my baffled hopes was this pre-
tense OF treating me as one of fortunes |
especial favorites? Then it occurred to me
That the whole conversation must be based
On some error or false assumption, per-
haps owing TO q similarity of name.
Some mistake ~ faltered out with a
,ickly smile.
mot . bit Of I'll" said the midshipman.
The American Commodore
on the station quite concurredin the award
and the agents ofssthe owners OF the Hen
~ Clay admitted it without grumbling.
Why Harland, any one would say that
you are entirely unaware of your own
claim for salvage money on the ship you
saved. and the cargo of which was Of en-
ormous value. Seven thousand pounds, l
own, make up tidy sum, but not dol
lar too much, considering how near
freight and ship were to Davy's locker.
but for"
Think he said more, but his voice sound
ed in my ears indistinctly. and my eyes
grew dim as l reeled on my feet and
should have fallen but for Egerton's sup
porting arm. When / recovered from
this momentary weakness rallied my
wits and was able to learn the truth. 1t
Was fact that, in bringing the American
vessel safe into port. had never contem-
plated the idea of any pecuniary advan-
tsge to myself. My first care on landing
had been TO seek Messrs. Parker & Mills
out, and TO their counting-house my first
visit had been paid. II was indeed news |