Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-09-30


The ship was lying pretty well out in
the harbor, so that when the time
should come for her to weigh anchor,
she would stand in need Of no tug TO
tow her through the narrows. As a
good breeze was blowing off shore, all
she would have to do would be to trim
sails and get away. Capt. Allaire
couldn't have wished for better wealth
er or more favorable wind to carry him
out of these waters which glistened in
the morning sun far beyond the Coro-
nado isles.
By ten o'clock every man was ut his
post. There were to be no more per
mits to go ashore. 1t might almost be
said that the voyage had actually be-
gun. Several yawls had come up along
side the ship at the starboard ladder to
take off those who had gone on board
to bid friends or relatives last good
! by. Among these were Andrew Hollis
ter, senior partner of the firm Of Hollis
ter & Co., and Mrs.. Allaire, followed by
servant In charge of little Walt. With
the captains wife were Lewis Barker
and his wife Kats, Molly's first cousin.
The mate, Harry Shelton, not having
any family, had no parting scenes to 60
through with; but he was moro than
certain that Mr.. Hollister and Capt.
Johns wife would not fail TO wish him
! good speed and safe return.
Just then Shelton was standing on
the forecastle where half a dozen men
were already at the capstan weighing
anchor, and the click of the capstan's
pawls could be heard The Dreadnaught
had already swung around little and
the cable had begun to creak in the
hawsehole. The national colors were
flying from the mizzenpeale and from
the main truck was displayed the house
flag, bearing the initials of Andrew
Hollister & Co. The sails were loosened
and all ready to be hoisted the moment
the ship should get little headway
under the pressure of her forestry sails
and jibs.
Standing on the quarterback, with
his watchful eye taking note of every
thing about him, was John Allaire, lis
tening to the last instructions of Mr..
Andrew Hollister, in reference to the
vessel and her cargo.
AS the merchant handed the ships
papers and bills of lading to the young
captain, he said:
John, II circumstances should re-
quire you to modify your course, act ac-
cording to your best judgment and let
me hear from you from the first place
you touch at Perhaps you may touch
at one of the Philippines, for don't sup
pose you intend to pass through Torres
strait?"
mo, Mr.. Hollister," replied Captain
John. 'I have no notion of rislxinr the
Dreadnaught in the dangerous seas
north of Australia My route will be
the Sandwich islands, the Marianas,
Mindanao Of the Philippines, the Celebes
of Macassa strait In order to reach Sim
gapore through the Java sea- It's plain
sailing from this point to Calcutta
don't think that any winds that may
meet with In the West Pacific will force
me to change this course. However,
should you want TO telegraph me, be
kind enough to address me either at
Mindanao, where may touch, or at Sin
gapore, where / certainly shall"
every well, John, and don't neglect
to advise me at the very earliest possible
moment of market prices In Calcutta
II may be that your report would lead
me to make some changes wi tn respect
to the Dreadnaught's cargo on her re-
turn trip"
"You may rely upon me, Mr.. Hollister."
replied Allaire.
At this moment Shelton approached:
"The anchors atrip. captain"
"And the ebb?"
"Is making itself felt"
Stand by. thenl"
Then, turning TO Mr.. Hollister,
Captain John thus addressed him, his
words having the genuine ring Of graft
tude in them:
"Once more, Mr.. Hollister, let me
thank you for having given me the COM
mand of the Dreadnaught. trust that
you will not be disappointed in me-"
81 am sure / shall not, John," said
Hollister. 81 don't believe could have
put the interest of our house into safer
hands"
Tho merchant exchanged a hearty
grasp of the hand with the young cap
tain and walked away.
Mrs. Allaire, followed by the nurse and
little Walt, now joined her husband.
| Lew Barker and his wife were also of
the group. The moment Of separation
was rapidly approaching. There was
nothing left for Capt. Allaire TO do
save to bid his wife and family q last
| good-by.
This was only the second year of
Molly's marriage, and her baby boy was
hardly nine months old; but, painful as
were the thoughts Of the separation
now 30 near at hand, she kept back the
tears and met her husbands gaze with
unclouded eyes. Not so her cousin Kate.
| She was made Of weaker clay, and gave
way 10 her feelings. She was devot-
edly attached TO Molly, in whose socie-
ty she had often found comfort and con-
ISOLATION when troubled and harassed
by the violent and overbearing conduct
of her husband. But, IL Molly was
able to hide her sorrow In this dark
hour, Kate knew only too well the So
cret suffering that oppressed her cous-
ms heart. True, Captain John would
be back again In six months, but even
that was a pretty long separation-the
very first since their marriage-and, as
Molly was strong enough 10 bear up 30
bioFciJ ~ buOh a hlObChbt ~ oSchhco no
| II Kate's tears were flowing In her be-
half.
As TO Lew Barker, the man whose
face was never softened with tender
look, he came and went, hands in pock-
ct and thoughts no one knew where. 1t
was only too evident that he was not In
accord with the sentiment of affection
which had brought others on board of
this seabound vessel. Turning to his
wife, Captain John took her hands in his
and drew her towards him.
Dear Molly" said he, sit will not be
long-a few months-and shall be with
you again. Don't worry, dearest. With
this ship and this picked crew no gale
will have any terrors for me. Be strong,
as captains wife should be. Our little
Walt will be fifteen months old by the
time get back-quite big boy. He
| will know how to talk, and the first
word which shall hear on my return
| home"
"Will be your name, Johng" muir
INJURED Molly, with u sad smile Your
name will be the first word that / shall
teach himl We shall begin the day and
end it by talking about dear papa far
away on the sea! Darling, write me
every chance you getl oh, how Inn
! patiently shall look forward to your
letters. Tell me everything you have
done and what you are about to do.