The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-07-12


to my first, except ignorance was not bliss in
this case, but rather knowledge was power
the knowledge of my previous experience had
the power to make me miserable for week
before sailing
On the morning of June 10 we wended our
way boatwsrd 1 was sad and gloomy. |
went aboard and took a seat in an obscure
corner. My fellow passengers on the morn
ing of my first voyage would not have recog-
nized me, was so changed An humber,
more unobtrusive individual was not on that
ship When asked If L were a good sailor
would answer with a sad, pinched smile that
was not. One kind d.hearted old lady asked
II was alone, and il l were leaving home and
friends forever. L told her hoped not, and
she didn't seem to understand why was so
sad. She asked me if liked travelling, and
said, Sometimes, on land,n and she went
away wondering, doubtless, who had broken
my heart. Even before the ship sailed be-
gan to think had made mistake. l had
been weak in allowing Smith to persuade me
to come. My olfsctories are over-sensitive at
times, and think they detected the presence
OF every odor, however humble and unpreten-
tious, on that vessel. l tried to breathe
through my mouth, but then l could taste
them. l felt exhausted, and was wishing my
self back in some of the delightful parks in
Washington. How would have enjoyed one
wbiff of the pure fresh air untainted with
these sickening ship odors. We started
Smith and l both determined to keep
diary. quote from mine; "First day out
Sailed at 1915 a. N. Steamer Crowded.
motley crowd Sea not very rough, but am
uncomfortable. | feel best in my berth,
where | am now, on the flat of my back, hold
ing this diary against my knee and writing.
want some warm water; the use / want to
make of it can be imagined. Have concluded
it is best not to fight seasickness, but rather
to encourage it, Didn't go to dinner. Didn't
want any. | am now calling myself bad
names for coming and vowing If 1 ever reach
American soil again will remain thereon. l
don't know what Smith is doing, only that he
is not seasick. This irritates me. He must
be talking to the only pretty girl ON board.
Her name is Ethel; saw this on q book she
was reading. She registers from London,
Ontario. 1t seems will be compelled to re-
main in this beastly stateroom for the remain
der of the voyage. Diabolical outlook, isn't
it? What bully idiot 1 am.'
My diary states that on June 20 arose
about T:l5 a. m, feeling little squeamish.
81 went to breakfast, however," it continues,
'.and then went on deck and remained there
till about IL, then came to my stateroom,
having strong convictions that something was
going to happen. In this ease my convictions
did not mislead me. 1t happened and, as
usual, feel better, but have an idea that an
encore will be expected. When anything is
done well we encore it: p. m.-This is be-
been on deck-will go to bed"
1t seems from my diary for the next day that
did go to bed, and without going through
the formality of undressing. 1t also seems
that L arose the next morning at {, and had a
so-called breakfast in my stateroom.
My diary for June 21 reads as follows: II
occupied the lower berth last night. prefer the
upper. 1t is nearer the portfolio, which keep
open when the sea is smooth. We have but
two berths in our room; some have four The
less seasick people in ones stateroom the more
agreeable. AS yet our room contains but one
seasick mortal. This annoys me not a little
Smith has not felt the least uncomfortable
He comes to the stateroom with ruddy COM
plexion and in the best of spirits. We'll,
chump,' he will begin, what are you doing
down here? Come on deck-tine night, moon
light, beautiful sea. Ethel and 1 have been
having lovely stroll. [ tell you, old fellow,
you don't know what you are missing This
kind of talk makes me weary. He really
not be sick at ali. This will really be disap-
pointing. tried to get him to boast before
he came aboard. | thought it would make it
more ridiculous when he did get seasick, but
he said very little. Quite likely he would
answer when asked if he expected to be sick,
but will try to make the most of it, How
ever,' thought, Just wait till we get sea
ou.' Then pictured Smith looking sad and
wan: L fancied him leaving the table alb
ruptly, and later lying on deck with the ladies
him how he felt. Then l could see that meek
expression on his blanched face and a strange,
unnatural light in his eyes. really became
quite amused, he seemed so ridiculous-in i'm
dgindtiOn. The reality, so far, however has
been very different, and now we have been
three days out and Smith is eating more and
looking better each day. |, on the contrary,
am daily eating less and gradually turning to
deep pea-green complexion.
1t seems from my diary felt little better
in the evening and ventured into the saloon,
''where," it chronicles, "a small, sallow
woman, with a thin. cracked voice, was at
the piano singing and making life miserable
for The remainder of the passengers. some
were drowning their misery in drink, others
were trying to forget their tortures In game
OF cards. | was asked to take hand at
euchre, and did. | thought it was risky to
remain in that saloon and play cards, but In a
thoughtless moment consented. did not en-
JOY the game. | could not get interested.
My thoughts were occupied in making mental
calculations as to the time il would take me
to get from where was sitting to point on
the railing nearest the companionway door.
! decided 1t would take me Just about ten
seconds, provided no one was in the way.
Should the companionway be blocked, how
ever, the consequent delay might be more or
less embarrassing, and therefore determined
TO add ten more seconds for possible deten-
tion. Having settled the amount of time
needed in case the worst came, the next cues
ton that demanded my consideration was at
what point in the storm that was fast brewing
was to leave in order that just 20 seconds
might elapse before the cloud would burst.
Having settled these two points satisfactorily
thought might then give my undivided at
tenuon 10 the game. | am apt to jump at
conclusions, l reason inductiveIy, so a for
tune teller once told me, and am often
governed by imDulse [ have a convjc