The Opelousas courier., 1898-02-12
HELEN'S ORDERS.



The day Jack Hartford sailed fo1
Europe he was too much excited owe
he pleasant anticipation of his frs
ocean voyage to remember very dis
inctly the numerous parting words
showcred on him by the members O.
she "assembly' to which he belonged,
and who waved the club colors unit
the great ship had swung far out into
tho stream.
From the midst of "Bring me back
= bit of the Blarney stone" an6
Don't forget to chip a piece Of WOOD
from lale's training quarters" and
sundry other reminders of what he
was to do for his friends, the soft
voice of Helen jackson still murmured
IN his ear II will be so disappointed
If you don't see the Prince of Wales.
1t would hardly seem right for the
president Of the Prince of Wales AS
sembly' to go abroad. and not see the
royal good fellow for whom the club
was named"
cit is ali very well to tell a fellow
to see the Prince of Wales, but as I do
aot expect to be presented at court,
md may find my short visit even more
expensive than I have planned, I
can't exactly see how am [ going to
hobnob with royalty even to please
Helen" thought Jack as he went to
the hold to see if his bicycle was all
right.
Jack Hartford had been left an Or
phan at II, with the prospect of a fair
inheritance when he came of age.
His little patrimony had but the week
before been banded over to his keep
ing, and the first use to which he had
put the surplus interest was to pur-
chase a steamship ticket, the dream of
his life having always been to see the
countries of the old world.
Of business in a practical sense
Jack knew nothing; he had had the
regulation school and college training;
be was popular in society, which fact
was attested by his continued presi-
dencyo of the "Prince of Wales AS
sembly," a village organization de-
vised solely for amusement, and to
which all the young people of New
burg belonged.
When the gong for luncheon sound
ed Jack discovered that even the
novelty of a first voyage had not the
power to destroy a very vigorous ap-
petite.
Seated next to him was a bluff, but
good natured Englishman, who Or
dered the most surprising dishes of
fowl and cabbage, much to the secret
amusement of Jack and the evident
disgust of a lady opposite, whose pale
face warned her companions that her
place would be vacant much of the
voyage.
By night the ship was pitching and
tossing like a nutshell in a millrace.
A cyclone that had been threatening
to strike the coast had fulfilled the
promise of the weather bureau, and
saloon, music room and deck
were deserted.
Jack enjoyed the excitement. and
though pitying the sufferings of those
fortunate in the matter Of health,
could not help being amused. Steady
himself as best he could, he made
his way about o'clock to the smok-
room, trusting and hoping that his
cabbage" friend was as good a sailor
as he looked to be.
True to his wv estimate of himself,
Englishman was comfortably en-
sconced in n of the great leather
chairs, placidly enjoying a pipe.
"How now, my young friend?" he
exclaimed, in what Jack inwardly
''his fat voice." sDon't be-
gin to feel a little squidy, eh?"
Il feel like a top, and scarcely need
o remark that you, too, are undis-
'urbed by the storm. It makes me
.hink OF a football game" gasped
lack.
"Better sit down before you get a
broken ARM" came the bluff invita-
ion.
"You spoke of football. That's no
ind of a game" was the abrupt in
to the conversation begun
$ oon as Jack was seated and the
teward had done his duty in the
of another bottle. "Cricket is
he only game for men to play"
Now, this was too much for Jack.
nth his American love for all things
american, and the discussion on col
ege sports and athletics waxed hot
nd furious until the dinner gong
rought it to a close.
But the Englishman, much to Jacks
urprise, instead Of resenting the
mphatic method Of speech employed
the young c~ollegian, was apparent
7 drawn more closely to him, for if
here is n thing dear to a Briton's
cart it is sport, and Jacks all-round
nd thorough knowledge had done
lore to win for him q place in the
God graces Of his fellow-traveler than
y the letters Of introduction that he
have carried in his grip.
That night the machinery broke
own and for twelve days they tossed
! the trough Of the sea, uncertain as
!, the outcome.