The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-12-03
ATLANTIC MAlL--FlRST CLASS.
An EPISODE or AN OCEAN VOYAGE.

AS naturally as a steel needle flies to
magnet, so have felt always ready to hurry TO Thu
aid OF lady in distress. do not say 1t vauntingly
nor put 10 forward virtue for the act has generally
been Involuntary; and SO II was one day last year,
when, having seen my small quantity OF personal
luggage on board the great screw elmer lying at th
wharf getting up her steam, ready for her
the Atlantic, was lOaing about watching with con
siderable amusement the arrival OF passengers, fol
the most part excited worried and tho prey OF porter
and cabmen. who seem to be troubled with no NOR,
PROJECTIONS In Liverpool than IN the metropolis. A
lighted cigar was between my lips and was trying L
enjoy lt-for, iudging,from old experience OF my
satiOus In rough sea, did not anticipate much com
fort for the next two three days at the lea-wei
very ordinaryalo looking man, evidently commercial
traveller FOR cutting house, walked up and asked INT
for light, staring Mt me the while IN offensive
manner that as handed my cigar glanced down n
his lett hand to see that 1t was not meddllng with M
watch chain.
''Looks like commercial, but may be pick
pocket, - Isad-mentally, OF course-whie he pulTei
AZ his cigar, putting mine out In the process.
'Going acrOssY' he said abruptly, aud, to use wha
would probably have been his expresson taking stool
OF me tho while.
'Going across the pond--Hevellyn2 ho said agair
cooy and modelling his head toward the great steaminl
and snorting vessel.
perfectly Belgravlan In Its hauteur turned aside
Tor had met the appeal of pair OF dark
was In distress and, between porters and baggage,
apparently perfectly bewdered.
" Are you going on boardgn asked.
Eyes, YES " said the owner OF the eyes eagerly.
I" Arc you connected with the steamer sir?''
!" Emo, not exactly, ~ said, taken somewhat
aback; and felt disposed to say: 'Do look as II
wasy' ALLOW me- though-these men ~
eyes, yes, - said the lady; "they ask six shil-
lings for bringing my luggage from the station Is
1t correctgn
" Absurd! No. said; ''half crown Is am
ple.h Aud eSpOuslng the lady's cause. | dismissed
the ravenous monsters who prey upon the unpro-
tected, and then sent her luggage on board the
llellvollyn, casting more than once u glance aside,
u M I'M IN ,vl IA nd
some, well-matked features, very lady like, aud
dressed in the first fashion.
90 Seems odd, ~ thought, ''traveling quite alone.
Strong minded woman, perhaps
But this latter thought set aside the moment
as handed her along tho gangway; for there WAS q
quiet, earnest, trusting look In her dark eyes; and
the answers she gave to my enteatics that she would
not be alarmed at the rushing water, the uneasy
ton OF the steamer and the pushing excited crowd
were grateful In the extreme. felt BATTERED, and
not at all sorry that such companion to share
my voyage.
''If you would lead me To the cabin where | could
see the stewardcss, " she said; aud | Immediately
handed her to the saloon door, where she turned
frankly to hold out we'll glovcd though rather large
hand. 80 | am Indeed much obliged | am Obliged
to travel alone: but my husband will meet mo OH
landing ut New York, and he Will, | know, bs OK.
tremely grateful for your kindneSs.'
Tho next moment | was standing alone, confound-
Ing her husband, and appealing to the fate to know
why another shonld have first seen and secured about
the only woman who seemed likely to form an agree
able sharor of my pilgrimage through llfo.
'Nice TO be young, smart-looking fellow, >, said
voice. and turning there stood the baginan NUN ng
away at his cigar and staring at me with all Ills
might, though probably from business habit he was
referring from time to time to pocket book he held
In his hands. NOW, you know, never make All
Impression like that on 4 lady, never fiud the sex
asking my protection, ana all that sort OF thing.
Very nice, though, should think. isn't itp''
lie accompanied his last words with the slightest
approach to wink; and closing the book, he poked
me with II In the side; when felt annoyed that
angrily turned upon my heel and walked to the slde
watching the arrival of late passengers; but to my
nj nv
frowning looks continued his scrutiny.
tried very hard TO getrld of him; but Stumbling
was thrown away. Apparently he could not under
stand that his conduct ObtrusiYe: and at last
making virtue of necessity, suffered him and he
literally hooked himself on TO me.
But all the same he seemed to have n shrewd bust
ness eye; and while carefully keeping close to me-
he scrutinized all who came on board, till the time
for starting had arrived The cables were cast loose
the screw reyolved slowly, then stopped, then re-
volved again, and the vessel began grandy to
forward the passengers waving their adeuX, as
they clustered by the side Then once more the bag
man stared iRe full in the face, looked undecided.
walked through the thr0ng ON deck, got ia the
sailors way, stared In face after face AS dog would
cided manner, returned to me- aud stopped by my
side, as If about to speak; but directly after he
checked himself, ana drew out another cigar.
How very soon the motion OF the vessel begins to
affect you ~ he said with smile.
90 Affects you, you mean, replied.
Yes exactly. curious, though, amt 1t +?
Seems as II nature never meant us to leave the land
of our fathers-the place OF our BIRTH AS the song
says, ell? Ever been across before?''
Yes, twice, " l said sharply; then l walked
away, for now, closely yelled, had seen the figure
of my lady friend emerging from the saloon door:
and upon my going up, and asking concerning her
welfare she made no demur about taking my arm
and walking up and down the deck
must confess that thought very little of the
scene around, though Kept, on the strength of old
recoections, pointing out the various familiar OBJ
1ects we were passing for had the idea In my head
that the remark my companion had made was not
the truth; In short, did not believe that there would
n he nnn Mt Maui
York, and after all 1t was but bold subterfugc by
which single and unprotected woman wished to
shroud herself In the respect paid to the married Of
her sex.
That she was respectable was undoubted; but there
was timid shrinking away about her, different
from the quiet, calm self-pOsSession of a married
lady, and felt assured that whose husband
awaited her upon the quay at New York would so
readily lay herself open TO remark by accepting my
arm upon so short an acquaintance.
Isis that IA friend OF y0ursy'' suddenly asked
my companion.
- Friend-frlend of mne?'' l said in a puzzled
way. No, have no friends On bOard-at least
only one, hope,'' l added mGaningy.
oil thank you, ~ was the hestating reply In the
most gentle of tones. ''Compelled as we are TO RELY
upon the society of so few during ea-yoyage
friendships do soon spring up.''
"But 10 whom We're you alluding?'' said.
son, II Is nothing. but am very weak and
foosh--I fanced that the maIl--the gentleman YOU
were talking to- was watching therpartcularly ~
eyes, yes. dare say. think, though, 1t is his
habit. He looked Just earnestly at me short time
ago, and he has been staring at every one In turn
You don't think he is looking after a runaway young
lady, do yOuY'' added laughlnRy.
In an instant my arm was dropped, and though the
veil was down, my companions eyes seemed to flash
fire as she half turned round toward me-
l never proessed to be very penetrating, but was
keen enough to see that had touched upon a chord
which kept bent the two ends OF a how of mystery
| saw too, that, but for careful management, the
advance had made In the good graces OF an admi-
rabie woman would be destroyed In an Instant
''Pray excuse my impertinent remark, - ex-
claimed eagerly. 1.-THE words were meaningless,
and uttered without fofethOught, ~
My companion, apparently treasured. took my arm
once more, and uttered II little low laugh.
meaningless, indeed; but for moment
thought
She did not finish her sentence for at that moment
my commercial acquaintance passed close by u.s. gave
me familiar nod and n smile. waited q cloud OF
smoke into the ady's face, and walked on
.'such c0nsumnate impertinence II, / said.
,You would hardly think that had mover seen thai
man before to-day
.'Acqnaintances do spring up rather RAPIDLY some
times twas the meaning reply; and glanced down
but the speakers head was slightly averted and II
seemed to me that she spoke In husky tones.
For the next three days tho number OF Passengers
who showed on deck was strictly limited I'm coIss-
quence of the state of the weather and really tho
Offices OF steward and stewardess could La ye been no
sinscure For my part, can only now own TO being
quamsh on the second day, and l paced the deck
hopefully In anticipation Of the advent OF my lady
friend But go on deck when would, was certain
10 encounter Inc cool easy assured nod Of The ha@
man, whose consumption Of cigars must have been
enormous He was as free and obtruslve as ever;
but one evening lust as IL was turning dark 4 mad
the pleasure OF Smoking my pipe In peace; for saw
him In deep conversation with man had hardly
noticed before from the fact of his being one Of III
second class passengers.
To my great astonishment though after had pone
into The saloon tho bapman came stroIling i'm fnl.