Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-01-28
T'HECARPE NTER'S NATE.
BY CONNELL TAYLOR.
From the Boston Globe

Twenty years ago [ commanded one
of these vessels, the Norseman, of the
old Allesworth Line of Liverpool. She
was in the East India trade at the time
and | was about to make my first voy
age as master. / had been with hel
the previous voyage in the capacity o.
chief mate, and was more than pleased
when the firm called me into their
private Office and offered NE the com
mand of the ship.
[ had Just been married, and it Ii
needless to say that | accepted the
firms offer, at the same time arrang
ing to have my wife accompany me or
the voyage.
Il have favor to ask of you, Capt
Thornton" said Mr.. Burlingame, tine
senior partner, when we were alone
land | rely upon your honor to keep the
matter confidential.
L bowed. and Mr.. Burlingame went
on:
MY daughter Evelyn has become in
fatuated with one of my clerks, and he
has had the assurance to ask her hand
in marriage. He has been dismissed
from our employ, and have seen moth
ing of him since. Nv daughter has taken
the matter to hear, and [ have decided
to send her out with you on voyage, in
the hope that the change of scene and
the companionship of your wife and
yourself may bring back the roses tC
her cheeks. Anything you can do to as
sist IN having her forget the wretched
infatuation will be appreciated.
| had little faith in my ability to cause
sides. as / had Just entered the married
state myself, | could hardly be expect
ed to sympathize with a plan for the
separation of two loving hearts, but
promised to care for the shipowner's
daughter as far as was in my power, and
the interview terminated.
The following morning my wife and /
went aboard the Norseman, which was
lying at anchor In the Mersey. At 8
O'Clock Mr. Burlingame and his daugh-
ter came aboard. The latter was a
handsome young lady of % years, but
her sweet face was pale and sad, and al
though she said nothing, it was evident
that the thought of leaving home at
fected her deeply.
Farewells were over, the anchor was
parting grasp of the hand, and a
whispered admonition to take good
care of Evelyn stepped aboard the
tender and returned to shore. We were
towed down the Mersey, crossed the
bar, and dismissing our tug pilot, bore
away for the Cape of Good Hope.
After we were we'll under way all
hands were called ait to choose watches.
AS the crew filed by, one of their num-
Der, a fine looking young fellow, at
tracted my attention.
"Who is that young man - asked,
pointing him out to Mr.. Everson, my
chief mate
Kenneth Gardner; he shipped as
carpenters man, - was the reply.
Just as the crew ranged themselves in
Il line, a little abaft the mainmast, the
ladies came on ueck and walked for
ward to where | was standing.
AS | turned to greet them l was
started by scream from Miss Burlin-
game, and the next moment | was
holding her limp form in my arms.
She was at once taken below and soon
recovered consciousness, but could give
no explanation of her fainting fit.
We were scarcely two weeks out
before [ noticed great change in Miss
Burlingame. The roses had returned
TO her cheeks, and she seemed vel
pleased with her situation aboard the
Norseman.
She went all over the ship, some.
times accompanied by my wife, and
sometimes alone. Several times [ no
ticed her in conversations with the
carpenters mate, and, nv curiosity
being aroused, | walked forward ont
day and GOT into conversation with him
1 found Gardner an intelligent fel
low, possessing surprising familiarity
with the rules of navigation and al
matters pertaining to the merchant
marine. [ thought it a little singular
that man of his intelligence and appar
ent ability had no better position thar
that of carpenters mate on an English
merchantmen, and told him SO.
His reply was that his limited resour
ces had prevented his gratifying in any
ether way his passion for travelling anC
seeing the world. The explanation wax
not satisfactory, but a look into tht
handsome, manly face convinced me
that whatever his reasons were for being
on the Norseman in his present capac
ity they did not concern me, and
asked him no further questions on the
matter.
In due time we doubled the Cape O
Good Hope. ran the castings down, anC
crossing the Bay of Bengal sighted one
morning the low sana-hills and late
the fat, sandy coast at the mouth of the
Hoogley. We took aboard native
pilot, and were soon living at anchor a
Garden Reach, about seven miles below
Calcutta. / went ashore accompanied
by my wife and Miss Burlingame
During the voyage the young lady haC
regained her health and spirits, anc
hao become well acquainted with the
carpenters mate. While he took NJ
liberties [ began to feel anxious abou
the matter, and regretted that The
handsome youth was member of my
crew. | pitied the poor clerk left il
old England and meditated on tn,
fckleness of woman.
At Calcutta We loaded a cargo of jutt
for Melbourne and put to sea On thu
morning of the sixth dav out til,
barometer began to fall rapidly, and a
fhe typhoon season was at hand felt I