The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-30

tackle. 1t is well above the tide, but in heavy
weather the spray reaches it, and at unusually
high water the wash is only few feet from the
| threshold. There is q curious history con-
nected with that howell and the man who
nailed the first boards together to shelter him
self and his companion from the ocean fog.l
ON THE OCEAN.
On the deck of an ocean steamer bound
to New York there sat one day in June,
1871, pretty woman, enthusiastically Eng
llsh, looking meditatively over the tum-
bling water. The novel she had been
reading lay upon the deck, her attitude
was one of WEAKNESS and ennui, and her
beautiful face wore an expression of dis
content and Impotence.
Suddenly she arose from the big loung-
ing chair, twirled it aside, and drew her
shawl over her shapely shoulders.
II Will make one more appeal to him."
she said. as she walked rapidly toward the
ompanionway.
MRS. Garvel, let me assist YOU" The
speaker was a decidedly handsome man,
of medium height, with long blonde mus
tache, and spoke with a pronounced Eng
lish accent.
The lady's face at once lost its expression
of discomfort and irritation and she smiled
pleasantly. on the gentleman, who bowed
and offered his arm.
| Thanks, Mr.. Perceval," she said
graciously. "Pray, have you seen my hus-
band2"
| His face wore sad and sympathetic
look as he replied:
III have, Mrs. Gar vel; he is with some
men in the smoking-room.
"And is he-indulging
| "I regret he is. endeavored to get him
away, but they are selling pools on the
ships run, and he is excited" The lady
sighed heavily. "Please take me for q
promenade on the deck" she said. 1T
want to ask you few questions"
| The eager fash in the mans eyes indi-
Gated how gladly he complied with her
request.
dYou know our history" she began, as
they paced to and fro. "You were my hus-
| brilliant he was, and how many honors
| he took. Then he was ordained and mar
ried me. Not for month afterward did I
dream that the poor fellow was so subju-
gated by the drinking vice. He grew
worse and worse. All my efforts to wean
him from this fatal habit failed. At last
| we got this mission to Victoria, where his
friends and mine hope change may take
place. Now tell me, Mr.. Percival, do you
| think there is any hope for us2
II do, certainly do, Alice-Mrs. Garvel.
Jim, though weak, has some determine
ton in him yet. Then, you know I shall
be near him, and I'll watch over you both
I'll absolutely prosecute him until he re-
FORMS"
eyes, yes, forgot you'll be near u.s."
said the lady softly, and then meditatively,
as if alone: THAT will be good. Yes, it
will be good"
"What are you two Cabling about2"
cried stoutly built and decidedly fine
looking young man, in clerical garb, who
came from the direction of the smoking
room. What are you telling my wife,
Tom? Nothing about our college scrapes,
l hope. l know you, slyboots. Alice,
don't believe single word he says" and
he placed his hand affectionately about
the lady's waist, who seemed to shrink
slightly from him.
"Yes, Jim, we were talking about you
and the future, ;" replied his wife.
"Ah," said the Rev. James Garvel, ~
see Alice was doing the storytelling.
Never mind my dear, all will be well in
Victoria. We will forget the past, turn
And now to talk about something more
pleasant" and then he ratified along and
certainly showed that the brandles and
sodas he had taken in the smeking-room
had not affected his wit nor volubility. His
wife felt the influence of his genial
pleasantly, and seemed to forget Percival
as she listened to her husbands bril-
liant sallies, his descriptions Of
some of the characters on board, the doc
tors eccentricities, and those kindred
topics which make conversation on an
ocean steamer. James Garvel was a man
OF rare attainments. Perhaps it was q
mistake sending him into the church. but
| twin IN, ho 20 fv nd
he was the second son. His in
diligence could hardly be called dissipa-
ton. 1t was rather the recklessness that
arose from high spirits and constant
craving for excitement. He was generous
to fault, and believed in every one and
land and regarded his Punishment
to the colony of Victoria as q re-
lief from the humdrum parish du-
ties OF his native place. He was
devoted TO his wife and she to him at
times, but there were periods when she
positively loathed mis- presence, and these,
when his evil hour was on him and he had
drunk deeply. She was OF highly sensi-
tive nature and the social stains that were
the inevitable accompaniment Of his IN
fortunate weakness were torture to her.
But she had hopes that new associations
and new career would change for the
better the entire current OF their lives.
AT THE GOVERNORS BALL.
a swell ball at the Government House in
Victoria wakes up the entire colony. For
weeks before the event the orders for new
dresses and fnery of all descriptions have
been sent to San Francisco. Sir James
Douglas, who in IL presided over the
affairs OF the colony, was q bluff, hearty
Scotchman, who, after long and arduous
service as trader in the Hudson Bay
Company, believed in q right jolly time.
The life of the Garvels in Victoria had
not been very happy one. For the first
few months the conduct of the young
clergyman had been unexceptional. A re-
union of some Oxford men at dinner
party one night had upset all the unfortu-
nate parsons resolutions, and he was
taken home in carriage in an advanced
condition of intoxication.
The young wife was half frantic at the
gossip which ensued in the small commu-
nifty, and for week or SO positively re.
fused to hold any communication with her
bibulous spouse. Then, woman like, she
forgaye him, and things went along about
the same as before. Percival, who was a
barrister, had secured good practice in
Victoria, and continued the intimate
friend of the Garyel family So fraonnnt