The Hawaiian gazette., 1880-12-22
Dalraiialt 6azfttf,
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER p. 1880.


Lucy
SIMULTANEOUSLY mail steamer lies slug
gish, inert mass in the stream "a strong con-
trast at the present moment to the bustling
tug which is tuning and sputtering its way
towards the lazy giant. What scene the
deck of a tender to mail steamer always
presents to the day dreamer? What threads
and skeins Of life stories are spread out for the
novelist or castle builder? How humbug rubs
shoulders with the very truest pathos, in the
person of Selma, who is shedding crocodile
tears at the departure of Edwin, the clerk,
while she inwardly rejoices at the chance il
gives her Of securing the hand and money
bags of Smith, the wealthy banker. and the
heartfelt grief of the widowed mother parting
frem her only son for ever? How vice in gay
apparel elbows and thrusts aside virtue in
mean attire, travelling with second-class
ticket? How sterling honesty is cast into The
shade by loud-mouthed impudence? How
in short, how the world is portrayed Gin
pefto," with all its shortcomings and all its
sterling qualities? We, who live on an island
home, who all have had to reach it or leave ii
by some such means, know well what phases
and types of life present themselves at such a
moment.
In such scene and amid such a crowd sat
haired daughter of the old Saxon race; tall,
delicate in feature, gentle in manner, very
ivy in fact, born to cling roitnd some sturdy
form, to be the ornament and GROWING glory
of some member Of the ruder, and more rug
ged sex. The form around which she was
destined to cling was just now standing before
her, smoking a cigar and making caustic re-
marks upon their fellow passengers. Heavily
bearded and with features bronzed by exposure
TO tropic sun, hands marked by country tot,
q broad chested figure, dark piercing eyes,
Philip Romilly was made of the oak-like ma
terial, around which the ivy ought to wind.
" Five minutes more and we shall be on board
Lucy, and then goodbye, indeed, to theishorcs
of merry England for year or two. Oh do
look at that ridiculous creature in pugaree,
that is evidently a counter-juinper off for his
tropical travels Why is it that the un-
travelled Englishman aciR always ticket him
ell TO the world as the fool lie And Miss
Lucy does look and smiles at figure in straw
hat and pugaree, checked suit, Hack pipe and
other unmistakeable signs of AIRY out for his
travels. Lucy's brother, who is sitting by
her, smiles too; Harry Trevor is lad of
eighteen, fresh from the public schools
thoroughly happy the boy is; life presents it
self before his eyes in the most roseate hues
he thinks little but he does not give himself
much time to weigh the many intricate prob
lens which it is already beginning 10 present
TO him. Of these three young people two are
leaving England for the first time. Harry
Trevor has hitched horses with young Romilly
and has invested the $4,000 capital which has
been left him by his parents in plantation,
which the latter owns in Demerara; his sister
having no other tie accompanies him. Philip
boc dana oil buf poadc FOL nd hos
been glad to take Trevor on. There is family
connection between them, and it bids fair to be
closer for Philip has been dangling after Lucy
during his brief European holiday, has read
poetry with her. followed her to balls, picnics
and theatres and has now the prospect of a
fortnight's clear time to put the final touches
to his love making before he goes into harness
again. What better opportunity is there for
love-making than passage in comfortable
steamer? Far more OF the ans dntoris is learned
there in week than by the study of Ovid s
immortal and immoral work in year.
. y
" Passengers for the shore % Passengers for
the shorei' and there is a hasty saying of
farewells, few last hand shakings by some,
an agonized straining of bosom to bosom by
others blank dull numbing feeling falling
on these hearts and bright, happy rebound
ing on those as the erst while lazy monster,
gives throb with It's screw and ceasing to be
a lifeless log upon the water, seems to be en-
dowed with life and dashes forward on its
course southwards. Ofcourse, after lingering
on deck waving pocket handkerchiefs, and
watching the white cliffs fade from sight in the
sunset cleaning, the inevitable pangs of sea
sickness comes on and for three or four days
the saloon and deck are deserted, but as the
monster steams into the camer water and
summer skies of the tropics, the passengers
gradually crawl forth and soon the ship rings
with merry laughter; amusements of various
kinds are got up, and in the evening there are
long walks up and down the deck and billing
and cooling in many shadowy corner.
Philip and Lucy read together, sang, played
chess and the bond between them grew closer
aud closer. By the time they had been week
out, each knew the others heart and it only
needed one little question from Philip and one
little monosyllable from Lucy to make a lie
bond between them. One bright moonlight
night as they were leaning over the taffraiI,
watching the phosphorescent sparks flashing
was asked and the little reply given. And
then they sat and talked far into the night of
the future, of Philips prospects, of his home
which would soon be hers and she went 10 rest
that night to dream that happy waking dream,
which all true women dream when they know
that they are loved y
Lucy awoke to hear tramping of feet and
hasty orders being issued and passed along in
suppressed voice. Then the opening and slam
ing Of one cabin door after another, and finally
a woman's shrek and the cry of 90 fire -
" fire J 1t rang out clearly above all the
tramping and hurrying, and struck a chill up
on The heart which had husbed itself to rest
with love lullaby 10 soothe it, Fire meant
danger, it might mean death and life Just
now had such a roseate hue; it was terrible.
and an icy chill for a moment shook every
limb; but Lucy was made of better material
than that which gives way to abiect fear II
took but moment to shake off the terror in
herent to the weak woman's flesh Mind took
control of the matter and she sprung out of her
berth knowing she must act. Her dressing was
hasty, yet complete; she understood the mo-
meut; her mind began to act that there could
be no immediate danger, so she left no detail
OF her toilet incomplete. As she was dressing
knock came at her door and Philips voice
called ent Ny darling the ship is on fire, dc
not be afraid, the men are all well disciplined
and it will soon be put out get on Your clothes
and come out TO me. Size soon Joined him
and her brother, and then they three went for
ward to where the crew were fighting might
and main against the red fiiend. The flames
had burst out near the engine room and in
spite of every effort they continued to spread;
finally the engines had to be abandoned and
the chance there had been of preventing the
flames from spreading astern by running before
the wind was lost, Very soon not only the
crew; but every passenger was at work help
ing to stay the fre-twelve hours passed-tbe
flames had crept on slowly but steadily, it was
almost impossihle to stand on the NOM AZ