Wichita eagle., 1888-12-27

an amusing anecdote for every occasion,
and generally the sort Of man to be a
prime favorite on board sailing ship,
whore every one is sure to be bored more
or less. Especially was he attentive and
considerate toward the ladies, and /
heard, though I did not see anything then,
that the pretty governess usurped large
portion Of his care. This seemed natural
enough, as she was alone, and most of us
took little extra notice of her on that
account.
"Wen, after day or two the bride
began to come on deck little, and when
she gained some flesh and color we could
see how pretty she was, and how full Of
charming ways Another thing was soon
easily seen also, and that was that what
ever might be the state of her husbands
affections, she simply worshiped him.
Her eyes followed him about with kind
of reverence, and when he spoke she
listened with parted lips and glistening
eyes, as though she heard the very angels
singing In heaven. 1t is sad enough to
see such madness where it is mutual; but
when, as is almost always the case, one
gives all, and the other takes and igives
nothing-well, well-that's no part Of my
story.
81 should saytthat he was quite kind to
her, and wrapped her up in shawls and
made her sit ia the deck house while he
read to her, for fear she might take cold
But OF an evening, when she'had gone to
her cabin, he would always return to the
deck to finish his cigar and the little COVER
ness, who was as strong as lion and not
afraid Of any weather, would be out
there with him, leaning over the tafrail,
and the two would stand there talking in
low tones, until the officer Of the watch
sent them below.
1--WE had been about fortnight out
from Madeira when the weather, which
had been pleasant enough, though cold,
changed suddenly, and we were driven
by storms every way but the way we
wanted to go. For several days the
matches were on, and none OF the pas
sengers were allowed on deck. Most of
the ladies, myself among them, were i'll,
and the rest were too frightened to notice
anything; but / was told afterward that
the only woman who was neither sick
nor terrified was the governess, and she
seemed foy-ful of wild spirits, and
;1eeping up constant banter with the
bridegroom, with whom she played at
cards half the day.
81 do not remember how long the
storm continued; but just as we were
beginning to take courage and pull our
selves together little, we heard one
morning sound that made our hair rise
with new terror-a peculiar, slow, regular
clanking-and a whisper went round that
the ship had sprung leak and the pumps
were manned. OF, you who have on y
made this luxurious voyage of a week
cannot imagine the feelings of those who
have been for days together in a strain
ing, struggling ship, pitched back and
forth and from side to side like cork on
those tremendous waves, and then to
hear, hour after hour, the dull, steady
clanking that proclaims the presence of
the enemy within the walls, gaining
upon you hour by hour.
For two mortal days and nights those
brave, indefatigable men struggled with
the encroaching foe, while signals were
hoisted and rockets sent up to attract
passing ships. At last the captain came
to tell us he had no hope of saving the
ship, that the storm had abated, and
that as soon as it was broad daylight he
would get the boats out. He begged us
to take some food, and added, as he left
the saloon: I hope, by Gods help, to
save every one; but remember, it is
women and children first, and If any
must stay behind, shall remain with
them
Nobody attempted to eat anything,
but most of us went to our staterooms to
secure such portable valuables as we
thought it worth while to take, and then
sat through the livelong hours waiting
for the order to go out and trust our
lives to those frail boats upon the tossing
sea. The gradual sinking Of the ship
made her steadier, and, besides, the wind |
had almost subsidized, and the heavy |
swell of the sea was being beaten down |
by the steady rain which began to fall.
81 was standing at the foot of the COM
panion when the bride came out Of her |
CABIN, which was Immediately behind |
me. She was deathly pale and her eyes
were slightly distended, but otherwise |
was perfectly calm and collected. She |
had on thick waterproof cloak and |
wooden hood, and carried little sachel |
in her hand. Where's your husbandY |
[ asked. She made little movement Of |
her head toward the cabin. He is Sc
curing some important papers, she said, !
and. think, she added, but her voice |
was almost inaudible, our marriage GER
ticate and my will.
"At this moment the first officer came !
down the companion. Mrs. Odell,' he |
said, seeing me, there are but two SER
viceable boats-the others were injured |
during the storm. Come up at once and
| will put you in the first. Oh, Mrs.
Blank he added, seeing the bride
come. too; l will try and put you to-
gether.'
"'Sirr said the poor girl, 4 will not
stir without my husband
"'Come, then, he cried; there is no
time to lose-I will call your husband
but go up stairs with Mrs. Odell, and I
viii bring him to you-take her up,
there's good SOUL he added to me. l
,ook her hand and almost forced her up.
put further than the top Of the companion
,he would not move.
1.-The sight that met us there was
startling enough. The ship had already
Junk SO low that cannot imagine how
he water kept out Of the saloon; it
eemed as II we could step on board the
ife boat that had already been manned
md was raised by every wave almost TO
he level of the deck. All on board was
orderly, except for the crying
# one or two of the Storage passengers
Who were being separated from their
male companions and passed into the
,oat. 1t was nearly full when the cap
ain saw US, and grasping Mrs. Blanks
I'm, was about to hand her forward,
when she wrested herself from him, and
With sudden fury flashing over her face,
in tone / can never forget:
/ can die here, if necessary, captain;
mt will not stir without my husband
He did not say another word. but
eizad me- unceremoniously and hefore I |