The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-08-04
aLL aT SEA.

It was bright morning in July when started on my first Atlantic passage, in some trepidation of spirit and anxiety of mind. First I went on an expedition from one end of the magnificent vessel to the other. II was floating palace; so steady and strong, it seemed impossible that even the widest waves could make toy of it, or crush it like an egg shell-a thing so majestic, with it's iron heart beating with regular throb, like the pulse ot strong mans life. Having satisfied myself as to the proximity of my stateroom to stewardess and doctor, 1 went on deck to look round on my fellow passengers. There were plenty of them; as rule they were commonplace specimens of hu- manity, such as nature turns out by thousands, and merely labels "man" or "woman." But there were some ex- captions; one was an elderly, stern- featured man, bronzed and weather beaten, with small, keen eyes, which looked as though they could detect a spot on the face of the sun without the aid of glasses, and SO searching that, like the east wind, they woul! reach the marrow at single blow. With these piercing eyes he scanned the face of every one who came on board. His companion, for he was not alone, was young fellow with laughing blue eyes, full of those ani- nal spirits which work off with the early stages of manhood. Then there was young new married couple re- turning from their wedding tour in the old land. Before I had time to carry my inspection further, the cry of "All for the shore" came from a pair of stentorian lungs. There was a hurried hand shaking all round, and "Good-bye," "Good-bye," echoed on every side, spoken with varying shades of feeling; some bade farewell with choking sob, others with ten- der regret, while some who were of for brief holiday shouted joyous Au revotr!
 In the midst of the hustle and con- fusion of parting and departing, 6 little rowboat hailed the vessel, and in another moment came alongside, and young widow, with child in her arms, followed by boy carrying S small cabin trunk, came on board.
 "I have been detained. I was afraid I should miss the ship," she ex. claimed, glancing anxiously around.
 The purser had already taken tht contract tickets from the rest of tn, passengers, and held out his hand fol hers. She searched her purse, hel handbag, turned everything over, hel agitation increasing as she found tn, search was in vain. In deep distress and with look of profound dismay she exclaimed:
 "I have lost it had it safe whel I started. What shall I do? Oh what shall do?"
 Here our bronzed old captain cam to the fore, and cast his kind gray eyes on the young widows face. Sh was beginning to cry, and he patte, her in fatherly way on the shoulder
 "There, there, my dear," he sai, soothingly, "don't distress yourself.
 "You won't send me back I" she ex claimed, lifting pair of large, plead ing eyes to his face, and catching hi hand as drowning men catch a straws.
 "Nol mop he answered, sit's al right. Ill take the riskl
 He gave the signal; we all hurrie, to the side of the vessel, and, with general waving of handkerchief an, shouting of last words, the lttl steam-tug which had brought tn passengers on board went snortin, and shrieking back to the shore, an, our majestic steamer steamed dow, the river, out towards the dreade. Iriah channel.
 That evening the captain's table wa crowded. Everybody seemed to real ire that the vessel was to be 'shome for the next ten days. Everybod, seemed socially inclined, but never theless took mental stock of thei neighbors before deciding which com panions he or she should choose, fol of course, before many hours wer over, we should break into iitti friendly parties.