The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-18

wealth to the trade books of merchant
ship was a transition indeed. But, ere he
went on dock again, he had fully resolved
that he would do his duty, coue what
would, short of death. lie would forget
that he ever did else but work for his live
hood With these resolves clearly detcrm-
med In his mind. he already felt better.
at first our supercargo was too weak to
do much. lie was very sick, and it lasted
nearly two weeks, but when that passed
or, and he could face the vibrating deck
will stout stomach his appetite grew
sharp, and his muscles began to grow
strong.
At first he cravcd some of the many deli
cacics he had long been usotl to, but they
were not to be had, and he vory soon learned
to do without thom. The result was that
his appetite became natural in its wants.
and his system began to find itself nour-
ished by simple food taken in proper quau
titles.
For years he had looked upon breakfast
as meal which must bU set out and par
taken of from mere fashion. a cup Of
coffee, and perhaps piece of dry toast, or
seasoned or highly spiced tidbit, had con-
situtcd the morning meal. But now,
when the breakfast hour came, he approach
ed 1t with keen appetite, and felt as strong
and az hearty as at any other time of the
day.
by degrees the hollow checks became
full, the dark eyes assumed new lustre, the
color, rich and hcalthful, came to the face
the breast swcllcd with increasing power,
the lungs expanded and grew strong, the
muscles became more firm and true, the
nerves grew strong, and the garments which
lie had worn when he camo on board had
to be let out some inches in order to make
them fit. His disposition became cheerful
and bright, and by the timo the ship had
reached the southern cape Of Africa the
crew had all learned to love him.
Through storm and sunshine, through
tempest and calm, through dirk hours and
bright, the young supcrcargo made his voy-
age. In one year from tho day which he
left Ills native land hc placed his foot again
upon the soil of his home.
But he did not stop. The same ship with
tho same officers, was going upon the same
cruise again, and he meant to 90 in her.
He saw Grace Mclburnc, and she would
walt lie saw DR.. Weston, and the kind
old gentleman ..raiscd him for his manly
independence.
Again Arthur Morton was upon tho sea,
and again he assumed the duties of his Of
flee, and even more. IIc even stood watch
when there was no need of it, and during
seasons of storm he claimed post on deck.
at the end ofanothcr year the young man
returned to his home again. He was now
eight and twenty, and few who knew him
two years before could recognize him now.
His face was bronzed by exposure, his
form was filled out to perfection, and ne
was greeted with great affection by old DR..
Weston who would insist on his staying
with him during his leave on shore. One
day after Arthur's arrival, he suddenly
burst into the room and said abruptly:
"Well, Arthur, MIR. Crosby is hero Will
you see him z"
''Sec him? See Matthew Crosby? OF
course will. He owes me an explanation,
and hope he can give me q satisfactory
onc."
The door was opened and Mr.. Crosby en-
tered.
lie was an elderly man, but halo and
hearty
The old man and tho young one shook
hands, and then inquired after each others
health.
'sYou received q note from me some two
years ago." said Crosby, "ln which stated
that one in whom ! II usted had got your
money and mine with 1t, and that / could
not pay YOU"
eyes sir" answered cur hero not know
ing what was to come next.
"Wcll," resumed Crosby, cdr. Weston
was the man. II. had your money"
''lIow2 What 2" graspcd Arthur gaz-
ing from one to the other in blank aston
ishmcnt.
"Hold on, my boy,", said the doctor,
while thousand emotions seemed to work
within his bosom. II was the villain. 1t
was who got your money. ! worked your
ruin, and will tell you why; saw that
you were dying. Your father died of the
same disease. a consumption was upon
hinl-,,ot the regular pulmonary affection,
but wasting away of the system for want
of vitality. The mini was wearing out the
body. The soul was slowly eating its way
from tho cords that bound it to the earth.
knew that you could be cured, and knew,
too, that the only thing in the world which
would cure you was to throw you on your
own physical resources for livelihood.
There was a morbid willingness of the spirit
to pass away. You would have died ere
you would have made an cxertion from the
fact that you looked upon exertion as worse
than death 1t was strang state of both
mind and body. Your fortune rendered
work unnecessary, so there was no hope
while that fortune remained, Had it been
a wholly bodily malady, could have argn-
ed you into necessary work for q cure. And
on the other hand had 1t been wholly men
tai disease, might have driven your body
to help your mind. But both wcro weak,
and I knew you must either work or die.
'And now, my boy, I'll tell you where
my hope lay. knew that you possessed
such true prido Of independence that you
would work. saw Crosby, and told him
my plans assured him If we could con-
trve to get you to sea, and make you start
out into active life, for tho sake OF live
hood, you could be saved. He joined mo
at once. I took your money and his, and
then bid him clear out You know the
rest. Your money is safc--cvcry penny Of
ito thcamount Of -1B0,0 900. Poor Crosby
has suffered much in knowing how you look
cd upon him; but know that he is amply
repaid by tho sight of your noble, powerful
frame, as he sees 1t tonight. And now,
Arthur, arc we forogiven9"
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