Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-06-04
ex WILLIAM r. NICHOLS.

ShOD-he was n meTCnAnt III u sHudA
way-and for year strove zealousiy
to discover some trace of business ca
pacity in his assistant. Failing utterly
in this, he called me before him, gravely
passed his verdict on my manifold de-
ticiencies, and inquired whether had
any plans in mind.
One of my friends--a few had been
acquired, perhaps by force of circum-
stances-had entered q medical school
in neighboring city; and, on the spur
Of the moment, elected to follow his
example. My guarlian-he held that
post in virtue of the small estate left to
me by my first protector-offered no
objections, though he gave formal no.
tice that the funds in his possession
would hardly suffice to do more than
carry me through the school. Undc-
tered by the warning, matriculated,
and for two years studied faithfully,
receiving degree at the end of the
second, and thus becoming entitled le-
gally to experiment on humanity. AS,
by virtue of strict economy, there was
still some money to my credit, l de-
termined to spend year at famous
eastern school; and carried out the
plan, only to meet one of the kcenest OF
disappointments at the close of the
period, through failing to secure COW
eted appointment as hospital inferno.
just at this time, too, came news of
the death of my uncle. He bequeathed
to me letter of sound advice and
thousand dollars. BY means of the lat
ter-and disregarding the former-I
spent fourth year in study, this time
selecting another of the great institu-
tons. The balance left at the end of the
season served to equip modest office in
the city, in which Capt. Peck found me,
just entering my 25th year, with re-
sources exhausted and hopes blighted
by the dreary waiting for paying pa
TENTS who did not come. Add to these
troubles share of anxiety rs to my
health, and one can understand the will
ingness with which became surgeon
of the Mary Peck.
She was almost new ship, Maine
built, Yankee differed and manned by
crew representing many nations. She
was of about a thousand tons burden,
and was freighted with n cargo of con-
siderable value. Her living quarters
aft were comfortable, if not luxurious,
and the cabin fare was excellent. The
captain and his wife, the two mates and
l. made up the population of that part
of the vessel.
The Mary Peck's run to the equator
was made in circumstances of the sort
to delight both the skipper and the
pair who were making their first deep
water voyage. Barring n sharp gale
s0onafter she cleared the coast, the ship
encountered fine weather down to the
line, with plenty of wind, but not too
much of it--a very important qualiiica-
ton in the eyes of the noviccs. As the
days grew warmer Mrs. Peck throvc
amazingly, the color came back 20 her
cheeks, and her strength increased, un-
til we almost forgot that she had begun
the voyage an invalid. She herself
credited old ocean with her improve
ment, and the captain was much of her
way Of thinking while my notion of the
matter was that the companionship of
her tall, bronzed husband counted for
more with the little woman than sea
air and sunshine combined. At all
events, however, the surgeons post
promised to be q sinecure.
To the line. as has been said, fortune
showered her favors upon us, but no
sooner was our PROV clcaving the waters
of the southern hemisphere than the
gifts of the tickle goddess ceased. For
fortnight we had Gains or brcezes SO
faint as hardly to give the ship steer
age way. Yet she contrived to crawl on,
daily putting some leagues of her road
behind her; for her master was smart
seaman, and made the most of every
cat's-paw. Nevertheless it was slow
work, and all of us longed for cooler
days ard fresh winds with an invig-
Grating keenness in their rush.
l was leaning against the rail one
night, lingering beyond the usual hour
and 10th to quit the GOODNESS of the
deck, when the captain came up, and,
standing beside me, Lighted n cigar.
The night was still and moonlit, and the
ship lay almost motionless.
Still ocean holiday weather." said I.
"Do you look for much more of it?"
81 hope not" said he, cmphatically.
OTIS the sort of holiday that's worse
than labor
"And when steam discounts canvas"
"Yes," he observed; "its enough to
make one pray for engine and screw.
But perhaps | ought not to complain.
My vile certainly seems none the worse
for this drifting in the tropics"
'She stands the heat well, no doubt of
that" said l. "In fact, she takes most
kindly to the sea. wonder you'venever
had her with you before"
"Wait till we're on The other side of
the Horn, and then see if your opinions
the same"
1T will be a long time to wait, at this
rate of sailing. So far I've only had one
cause to find the ocean disappointing.
I've looked forward TO all sorts of Incl
dents, but not one has occurred"
"Wait till we're in the Pacific before
you reach conclusions. BY the way,
what manner of incident might you
crave?'
"Anything not too perilous. You
know the list better tnan l."
I'm willing to avoid them all this
voyage" he answered, with a laugh.
"Still, if any excitement occurs you
shall be notified promptly"
'On the strength of the promise I'll
turn in" said l, and, leaving him to
finish his cigar, made my way below,
to toss and turn in my bunk for time,
and then to fall into restless slum-
Der. Presently, as it seemed, from the