The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-03-05
THE CARPENTERS MATE.
Plotting for Wife, and How It
Succeeded.

Plotting for a Wife, and How It
Succeeded.
Twenty years ago commanded one
Of their 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 her
the previous voyage in the capacity OF
chief mate, and was more than pleased
ewhen the firm called me into their pri-
yate office and offered me the command
Of the ship,
/ had just been married, and 1t is
needless to say that / accepted the
firms offer, at the same time arranging
to have my wife accompany me on the
voyage.
II have favor to ask OF you, Captain
Thornton, said Mr.. Burfingame. the
senior partner, when we we're alone,
land ! rely upon your honor to keep the
matter confidential.
bowed, and Mr.. Burlingame went
on:
my daughter Evelyn has become
infatuated with one Of my clerks, and
he has had the assurance to ask her
hand in marriage. He has been dis
missed from our employ, and | have
seen nothing of him since. My daugh-
ter has taken the matter to heart, and l.
have decided to send her out with you
on voyage, in the hope that the
change OF scene and the companion
ship OF your wife and yourself may bring
T. Al 1Ar nhn IL 1t
you can do to assist in having her forget
this wretched infatuation will be appre-
ciated."
had little faith in my ability to
cause Miss Evelyn to forget her lover;
besides, as had just entered the mar
ried state myself, could hardly be ex-
pected to sympathize with plan for
the separation of two loving hearts.
But promised to care for the ship
owners daughter as far as was in my
power, and the interview terminated.
The following morning my wife and
went aboard tho Norseman, which was
lying at anchor in the Mersey.- nine
o'clock Mr.. Burlingame and his daughter
came aboard. The latter was hand
some young lady of twenty-five years;
but her sweet face was pale and sad,
and although she said nothing, it was
evident that the thought Of leaving
home affected her deeply
-Farewells were over, the anchor was
aweigh, and Mr.. Buflingame, after a
parting grasp of the hand and whis-
pered admonition to take good care OF
Evelyn" stepped aboard the tender and
Y N1l - oh W. 4
the Mersey, crossed the bar. and dis
missing our tug and pilot bore away
toward the Cape Of Good Hope.
Alter we were we'll under way all
hands were called aft to choose Watches
As the crew filed by one of their num-
Der, fine-looking young fellow at
tracted my attention.
.'Who is that young man?" l asked,
pointing him out to Mr.. Everson, my
chief mate.
Kenneth Gardner; he shipped as
carpenters mate" was the reply 81
just as the crew ranged themselves
In line, little aft the mainmast the
ladies came on deck aud walked forward
to where was standing.
As turned to, greet them l was
startled by scream from Miss Burl-
ingame, 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 other fainting fit.
We were scarcely t@o weeks out be-
. fore / noticed great change in Miss
Burlingame. The roses had returned
to her checks, and she seemed we'll
pleased with her situation aboard the
Norseman.
She went all over the ship, sometimes
accompanied by my wife, and some-
times alone. Several times If-neticed
her in conversation with the carpenters
mate, and, my curiosity being aroused,
F. ] walked forward one day and got into
conversation with him.
found Gardner an intelligent fellow,
possessing a surprising familiarity with
. the rules of navigation and all matters
pertaining to the merchant marine.
thought 1t little singular that man
Of his intelligence and apparent ability
had no better position than that Of Car
penter's mate on an English merchant
man, and told him so.
His reply was that his limited re-
sources had prevented his gratifying in
any other way his passion for travelling
and seeing the world. The explanation
was not satisfactory, but look into the
handsome, manly face convinced me
that whatever his reasons were for be-
ing on tho Norseman in his present
capacity. they did not concern me, ana
! asked him no further questions on the
matter. N
In due time we doubled the Cape of
Good Hope, ran the castings down, and,
crossing the Bay Of Bengal sighted one
morning thelew sandhills and later the
fat sandy coast at tho mouth OF the
Hoogley. We took aboard a native
pilot and were soon lying at anchor at
Garden Roach, about seven miles below
Calcutta ! won't ashore, accompanied
by my wife and Miss Burlingame.
During the voyage the young LADY
had regained her~health and spirits
and had become we'll acquainted with
tho carpenters mate. While he took
no liberties, ! began to fcei anxious
about the matter, and regretted mat
the handsome youth was. 4 member OF
ray crew. piticd tho poor clerk left
in old England. and med .tated on tho
aekIspess Of woman,