The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-01-12
In Charge of the Cap
tain.


open deck Of the floating barge that makes the
landing place for arriving and departing pas
sengers by steamer at Liverpool. They call II
Princess pier, but tbs only float such as
might disgrace 8 steamboat landing on the
Ohio. On the barge were two groups OF peo-
pie waiting for the wretched little paddleboats
to take them to their steamers lying in the
mid-stream. She seemed to guess quickly to
which party she must belong, for there were
many of her countrymen and women there.
Near by stood red-whiskered man, with
faded uniform and holding in his hand letter
he had just received It did not seem to
please him In The had been requested to
take charge of a young lady passenger, an or
phan, on her way to her home in the United
States. and to deliver her safely to her guar
dian in New Yorkiat the END of the voyage At
the moment a young person spoke to him.
as this Captain Macdonald of the Paren-
thia?"
A musical voice, rather self-asserting and
American at that
@Yes miss Your servant
Il am Miss Ward, sir, Miss Annie Ward /
believe you are to take care of me-"
He turned to have better look at her, and
his distrust at having to care for and watch
ever young lady passenger was intensified.
And yet there was pleasure in the idea, for
she was wonderfully bright and attractive,
after the American manner. He thought of
his own demure and sobsr girls at home,
obedient and passive things, and wondered
what he should do with this-this untamed
barbarian, with her diamonds, her fur cloak,
andmischievous eyes. She would talk at the
dinner table and .dirt with the passengers, and
he would have more anxiety and care over her
than on dozen trips in the Parthenia.
The arrival had been observed of all the pas
sengers, and her interview and evident cordial
relations with the captain excited curiosity and
much quiet comment The Americans were
secretly pleased to see how quickly she won
her way into the good graces of the captain,
and the English viewed her with lofty con-
tempt She had come alone to the pier-in
diamonds-had spoken to the captain first
she was altogether most singular person.
There was one who gazed at her with undis-
guised admiration. He put on his eyeglass
and stared at her in the English manner
stony and very lofty Then the stare melted
and he became more human. The inspection
was so satisfactory that in his own way, Lew
ellyn Devon felt sure he had fallen in love
with the pretty American. He knew it was
simply awful for her to appear alone and in
diamonds, yet he presumed it was the Ameri-
can manner. He felt glad he was going to
America with her, for he could study her care
fully and learn something of these strange
people, who ate with their knives and went
armed on Broadway to protect themselves
from the buffalos.
The two tenders arrived at the same time
and the two parties Of travellers began to get
on board their respective boats. There was
nothing whatever to distinguish which boat
was to take the passengers to New York and
which to take those bound to Bombay, and
after some little confusion and much shouting
and running about of servants the two parties
were nearly ready. Captain Macdonald stood
on the floating dock while his passengers and
their mountain of luggage were slowed on the
wretched little steamer, and Miss Ward stood
BY his side, an amused spectator of the per-
Torrance. Just then newsboy came down
the bridge and offered American papers for
sale. She bought one and put it in her pocket
and at once forgot it.
%Come, Miss Ward This way if you
please"
She was just on the point of stepping on the
gang-plank when there was a shout on the
other side and young man, carpet bags in
hand, came tearing down the bridge as if fear
full of being left behind. He ran to the other
boat that was just pulling off and called to
them to wait for him. The boat had started,
but the engine stopped and the servants on
the dock pulled out the plank as if to let him
get aboard.
"Mercy Mr. Rathven Don't make mis-
take. That's the Peninsular and Oriental
You're not going to Bombay, hope?"
The young man stopped and stared at the
young person who had dared to interrupt
him.
excuse mech! Miss Ward What sur
prise. l was late to the boat Trusted to the
Manchester express to connect-late, of
course"
&This is our boat Come We are just
going"
The men on the other tender began to be
impatient
dts all right This is my boat I'm sure"
he continued, speaking to Miss Ward; "this is
most unexpected pleasure. did not think
should ever see you again, much less make
voyage with you"
AS for the captain, he felt sure his troubles
had begun. When the tender arrived along
side his ship he had the men put Miss Ward
on board first, and following hen up the steep
gangway, he placed his charge in care of the
stewardess, with strict orders to see to her
every comfort, and then went to assume what
seemed a lesser duty-the care of his ship.
It was nightfall as the Parenthia crossed the
bar at the mouth of the Mersey The passen-
gers sought their state-rooms early, for the
sea was already rough. Here and there one
49, -, 4lao 4 IL
deck, but the greater part were in dread of the
usual first days trials. The captain had not
appeared at the table for the ship demanded
his attention. There had been the usual po-
lite scramble for the best seats, and when all
were seated at the four long tables it was OBJ
served that the young American, she who on
the list of passengers figured among the last
simply as Miss A. Ward, had the seat of honor
at the right hand of the captain. Opposite sat
Mr. Llewellyn Devon, of London. How did
she get there? The captain must have asked
her. How did he get there? ask of the chief
stewards pocket book-the substantial reason
lay there.
when the captain came down from the bridge
upon the deck to go to his room. The Par
enthia was well clear of the land and running
safely down channel, and he could take
moments rest for coffee. AS he came along
the dusky deck he met two dark figures,
young man and woman, walking along and
merrily talking together. The incident was
nothing The young passengers, particularly
these singular Americans, generally began to
tiirt before the ship made her first hundred
miles. The figure of the g&rI seemed familiar,
but he could not recall who it might be, and
passed on and entered his state-room, which
was on that deck As he drank the coffee pre-
pared for him suspicion came into his mind
that it might be his charge. Such conduct
was highly improper. He could never permit
his own daughters to walk the deck alone in
the dark with a young man. He looked out the
door for moment, but they were nowhere in
sight The affair troubled him more than a
fog He knew just what to do i'll that-whistle
and run half speed. These Americans were
so strange-they did such extraordinary
things and really he wished she had never
come aboard ship.
Presently he went on deck again determined
to find out whether his charge was in her
room or not He. went 10 the door Of her sa-
loon, and, calling servant, sent for the stew
ardess. She came presently, fat and stufy
woman suggestive of Cruel and beef tea
at was not my fault, Captain. She would
go on deck. She said the ventilation was bad
below. Lori for my part, Sir, could sleep in
a boiler and not feel it"
Sid she go alone?"
@No sir, she's found friend already. Some
body she met aboard"
The captains fears were realized This
before he sighted Fire island Just then he
heard voices on the deck, and he turned away
from the brightly lighted door, and stepped
into the cool dark night He knew her voice,