New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-16

1 Docks, and have o look at the Strathmore. Bu'
first thought it advisable TO call. on my way al
the Office Of the Company, and ascertain II Aunt
Damaris and Florence had booked ther passage
| Arrived Mt Fenchurch-st., entered the Office OF
Duncan, Golghtly e. Co., and rs I stood at the
broad counter behind which half dozen of clerks
were hard at work. the sense of my old life came mp
in so strong that felt as If my calling were still
| that of sailor and that ! was here to obtain a
BERTH There was ono old chap remembered the
others were strangers The ola fellow looked at me
through his spectacles but did not recognize me,
and went on with his work A young man came to
the counter, and said You have ship adyer-
tised to sail on the 2Sthf
Yes SIR"
"Does she call at Plymouth"
"No Passengers must embark at the Docks or
al expect some friends will take cabins in that
vessel, and if they go shall accompany them. Is
your ouddy fulp
No, sir; there are still three cabins vacant"
"Giye me the names of the people who have al
ready booked, will yOni l want to know II my
friends are among them"
"What are their names, sir r. .
"Miss Damaris Hawke and Miss,Florenee Hawke
He looked at pile of letters, and presently pulled
out a sheet of paper, gilt edged, adorned with AL
Z Miss Damaris Harke and Miss Florence Hawke,
No cabin The irst-na%ed lady arrived home s IN
now applies for" He then laid plan of the saloon
before me, with the cabins numbered. There was
the port side being the captains; the two forward
berths, facing each other and coming Just under the
break OF the poop were occupied respectively by
the first and second mates.
This thon," said !, putting my finger on No: 6
that is, the one next the captains, right aft" Is
the cabin that mas been taken by the two ladies you
name. Which are the berths still to leti'
He Indicated them.
"pl go and have look at the SHIP said l.
Whats the charge for one OF these cabinsp
Sixty-twO pound ten"
"Do get the cabin to myself for thatip asked
He answered that that would depend. The COM
such such sum Il forget what it was. hi save my
money and take my chance" said l. " OF there being
more cabins than passengers; in which case, Of
course, / shall have the berth to myselfP
He answered, " Yes, certainly"
" Are the ladies Of taking No g ~
"Sure," he replied. Half the passage money was
My heart came into my throat when Iheard this.
Tell me now said |, " if the Captain Thompson,
whom / see advertised as the commander OF the
years ago second mate of your ship the M0ntrOsep
He went to the clerk in the spectaces and re-
peated my question The old fellow said yes, with
SIS he in London ?" | inquired.
I" Yes, sir and If you're going down to the Docks
at once you'll probably find him aboard Ii you
like I'll accompany you and show you the ship"
] thanked him, and said believed could find
my way to her without assistance, and so quilted
the office. | was i'll Joyous spirits as made my
way to the railway station in FenchuIch-st The
fact of the cabin having been secured for Aunt
Damars and Florence, and half the fare paid, made
me realize the meaning of the adventurous job
was upon 20 a degree had not approached before.
For three months certain would be associated with
my darling week after week, day after day, and my
heart beat high in me as with the Tapldty of
thought drew a of pictures of our raptuTous
communion in gales and cams in heat and cold,
under skies of brass and nights soft and sweet with
moonlight and dew. And mighty vigorous inl-
aginatiOn | must have had, even to come near to
anything poetlcal in Fcnchurch-st station: The
roadway was filled with crowd of grinning fell
lows turnpike sailors, lOafng scarecrOws, as bad as
the worst specimens of the raganuins had seen
shiverng in shipping-yards, and scrawling their
hatred Of captains aud owners upon benches and
whItcwashed walls. 1t took me back some years
when got upon the platform and looked at the
people who were waiting for the tram: mates in
velvet waistcoats; shippers with red faces and
consequential strut, smoking cigars; seamen of
divers natOnalitieS, some with white bags some
with all they owned in the world wrapped up in
red or blue handkerchiefs: Dutchmen, grunting
like pigs 4; negroes, with bland grin on their thick
lips as they stared about them. and English Jack,
drunk showing and noisy. say, the sight took NE
back some years and il wanted little to persuade NE
that my chest and bedding were aboard, and that
was bound along with the Others for che pierhead
jump
ITO be Continued