Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-06-04
OUR PASSENGER.

1t wa a lovely autumn afternoon to.
wards the close Of September, when We
weighed anchor and sailed out of the riv.
or Mercy, bound for Melbourne. We
had = good ship-Janet's Pride loaded
with miscellaneous articles. On board
were fourteen passengers, and, take them
all in all . Pleaaanter lot l never steer
ed across the stormy sea. There were
three old gentlemen, who were going out
to share their fortunes, come what
might, and which, poor old souls, they
seemed to think fashioned in the bright
est colors, long before the English coast
was out of sight. Then there was q SOL
itary cid gentleman, who, judging from
the tone of his conversation, was seeking
the new world for tho ostensible purpose
Of finding fault with it. There were
two young married couples, all full of
hope and activity, bent upon making a
new home tar away from their native
land. There were also q very jolly el-
derby brother and sister, neither Of whom
had eve entered into the bonds of mat
rim0ny, but instead had stuck to each
other through life. There were three
old Australian settlers, who had been
over to have peep at the old country,
and who were now returning to the land
which to them, through long commun-
ion, had become the dearest OF all
Others, "Home, sweet home" Lastly.
though not least, there was q solitary
passenger, who soon became the net Of
all on board. He was q man of about
eight-and-twenty years of age, possessing
\ very clear complexion, q very hand.
some, long, flowing beard, and a very
silky moustache. His name was Regi-
maid Moore. His given reason for tax
ing this sea voyage WA the delicate state
OF his health. There was not the least
doubt that the poor fellows chest was
affected. for his voice, though charm
ingly sweet, was one of the weakest l
eve remember hearing; and it had a
certain hollowness in its sound that in
my mind is invariably associated with
that terrible disease commonly termed
consumption. He always wore a thick
muller round his neck to protect his
throat and chest.
In all my experience-and it has been
. pretty wide one-I never knew any one
with 80 many friends, and such undi.
vidod esteem, in 80 short q time a. Repi.
maid Moore. There was not, I believe.
. sailor on board who did not entertain
the warmest possible liking for him. Az
Tor the passengers, they seemed 20
happy as when listening to his amusing
anecdotes, of which he seemed to possess
IN inexhanstible store. And this deli.
cate young English paragon of passengers
had made this conquest Over all our
hearts before we had been three weeks
1T sea. He was, too, such a clever fellow
with his hands. He could cutand shape
you anything out of q piece of wood,
from IN oyster to an elephant, and at
making models of ships, / never net his
equal. He was, besides, such a kind and
c~0nsiderate fellow towards his fellow.
passengers. When the three elderly
gentlemen, who imagined their fortunes
made, were afflicted with sea sickness, he
wa the first to come forward TO help
them about while they slowly recoyeredI
He would insist upon their taking his
arm, weak a. lie was himself, and he
would lead them about ON deck with q
frmness that spoke volumes in favor of
his sea legs"
/ do mot remember any voyage ever
% quickly a. the one when the
pleasant passenger was on board. /
could, with infinite pleasure, make 4
long pause At this juncture of the thread
my story, to dwell upon the pleasant
memories l still retain of Reginald
Moore. We were within q few DAYS sail
Of Melbourne. Reginald Moore had all
but completed . model Of the Janet's
Pride, which he proposed presenting TO
me the night before We landed. New he
worked at this model principally on
deck, and strangely enough he had
chosen for . workable the top of one of
empty water casks that stood on
deck. abaft and under the shelter Of the
bulwarkA While he worked during the
LAY you were sure to see him surrounded
y some OF the passengers or sailors,
Inc amount Of industry displayed was
Eruly wonderful, for he was invariably
y work In the early morning, long be-
Iore any OF the other passengers dreamt
turning out of their snug berths. t,
AZ ! have already said, We were but
~ days sail from Melbourne. For the /
irst time IN our experience of him the !
9ieaeant PASSENGER appeared at the din. /
aef Q with q solemn, d0wncsst ex.
preston OF the face and 4 silent tonpue.
Before dinner Was over asked him vh.t +.
.r0ubied his mind and caused this nm. !
aappy change in his wonted cheerful /
MANNER
At first he tried to eyade INV ~ouer;es i
y replying It was . nothing, nothing in /
PARTICULAR" but I pressed him. ners;st. !
,ntly until / won from him "a exnl.ns. :