The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-22
little Jeanette.


York on one of those steamers that were
on the route between New York and As
pinwall when Commodore Vanderbilt
ruled the lestinies of the steamship lines.
The voyage from New York to Aspin-
wall was spent by the passengers in get.
ting sea-sick, in getting we'll, and in
getting acquainted with each other.
Among those who were the sickest was
a young lady of perhaps nineteen years
of age. She was beautiful as "houri,"
as patient as martyr, and as meek as a
lamb being led to the slaughter. She
had come aboard the ship at New York,
and was travelling to California alone.
She had evidently never been away from
home before, and had very crude IDEAS of
the difficulties she would encounter.
The ship had hardly obtained an offing
before she was attacke d with sea-sick-
ness and compelled to retire to her state
room, and 1 saw no more of her until
our arrival at Aspinwall.
Matilda Jane, in poklng her nose into
the various state rooms, had discovered
her history.
She was born in one of the suburban
villages of Boston, and had been edu-
tho Hub. Some three or four years be-
fore the commencement of this voyage,
she had discovered that she was deeply
in love with young gentleman who had
sailed out of Boston as mate of mer
chant vessel. The young officer loved
her in return and had promised to marry
her upon the return of the ship. But
the ship didn't return. The captain kept
hi
world to another, but never turned the
prov of his gallant ship toward the port
where there were anxious ones waiting
her return. After cruising for three
years the ship entered the harbor of San
Francisco and was sold. The officers
and crew were discharged, and the mate
was offered the command of the ship,
which was destined for the coast trade.
He accepted the offer and sent home for
his affianced to come to him in California,
and they would be married.
She had been very sick during the
voyage from New York to Aspinw wall
and Matilda Jane having rendered her
several little services, she appeared very
grateful for them, and she repaid the
debt by pressing me into her service,
making mo help her up
stairs, promenade the hurricane deck,
wait upon her at the table, and
numerous other little things that females
know so we'll how to demand and obtain.
She was such gushing, generous little
creature that l could not refuse anything
she asked, although 1 certainly thought
she ought to have been more consider
ate of Matilda James feelings. That es.
timab.e lady began to entertain an idea
that l liked the duties thrust upon me,
but she was mistaken, entirely so.
After getting into the Pacific Ocean, /
observed that, hour by hour, she became
more and more nervous. She was con-
tinually asking how much further we
had to travel, and appeared dissatisfied
with the answers given her. Her condi-
ton was becoming alarming, and |
deemed it necessary to consult the ships
physician about her case. l accordingly
called upon that august person, and ex-
planned as nearly as | could the condi
ton of the young lady and intimated that
some medicine ought to be administered
to her. But the chilling manner in
which the salt medico treated me
carried conviction to my mind that he
was not only master of the situation, but
was going to let everyone know that he
never received suggestions from pas
sengers.
The result was that no attention was
paid to my warning, and the nervousness
and sleeplessness Of Miss Jeanette con-
tinued to increase. l began to have
fears that the health of the poor girl
\ would become seriously affected unless
something was administered to her to
cause sleep. l had made up NY n md to
make another appeal to the surgeon. and
was going forward for chat purpose
when Nus called by Matilda Jane, who
aa'd
Tim, don't like the way Miss Jean
raiie l. lciavihg to-day. She has been
act LIZ cute strangely all the morning"
eco ,mpani-d my wife into the poor
eir''s state room and found her weeping
"a if h'r heart would break.
~ hat IL the matter, Miss Jeannette?"
estel, considerably astonishcd.
90. sir, / am the most unfortunate
girl IN the wo7la. Joseph, my aflilnced
husband. il deadr'
"You are certainly mistaken, my dear
girl
No, no, I'm not; last night while 7
lay in my st,te-ropm he appeared Ia noe.
with bis clothes ali wet and looked 40
pale and be- told me he was dead"
You have been troubled with bad
dream; that il all.
II did not sleen moment last night
| hive ieru so anxinne thst ] could not
sleep, ana when bis spirit appeared to
me was No wide awake as / am az the
Yre.eu, ranineut