The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-02-22

eye on the porters who were carrying
the three elaborately sealed cases. The
crowd of passengers had to wait while
this took place, and the cold wind, de-
termined to have some fun before the
old year went out, blew their hats off
and fiuttered ladies' cloaks impudent-
ly. Then the ordinary passengers
came down, and Mr. Large, who had
changed his silk hat for tweed trav-
cling cap that had flaps to cover his
ears, and was tied securely under the
chin, nodded TO the captain (who SEEM
ed pleased to see HIM, aud demanded u
prophecy in regard to the journey
across. The captain said that it might
perhaps be the least bit boisterous, aud
Mr.. Large answered he knew what
that meant. Let the cases be placed
in the strong room, where they would
be secure from injury by sea water aud
he would take private cabin.
Right you are, Mr. Large" said
the captain. Not tooearly, hope, to
wish you happy New Year. How's
the firm ?"
"We're sending you a basket ofgame
this year" remarked Mr.. Large casual
ly. Struck me your missis would like
that better than cigars"
at all comes in useful" replied the
captain, "where you've got family.
See you again presently"
The captain went up on the bridge.
The last trunk slid down the wooden
gangway and was caught by the sailors
on deck; bell rang: the steamer whis-
tied a mournful, regretfdl note to indi-
cate its regret at leaving, if only for
few hours, the land Of its birth; the
engines grunted aud the steamer, max
ing prodigious amount of white foam,
went out into the dark, clustering
night The lights of Dover town
fringiDg the shore winked a railway
engine, anxious to show on|gave an
imitation of a cock growing at early
dawn. Snow began to fail as the end
Of the pier was passed, and the steamer
showed premonitory signs Of playing
at pitch and toss.
"Why, l declared exclaimed the
matronly woman called Catherine,
with great acknowledgements
were moving about mistily on board,
and many were going downstairs-"I
declare, if it isn't Mr. Large"
"Well," said Mr.. Large with reserve,
"what of it?n
"Wby, don't you remembes me? 1
was ladyis maid at the place in Penn
bridge Square years and years ago,
when you used to come there courtiDg"
That's long time ago." said Mr..
Large, uneasily. LET bygones be by
gones.n
"But isn't it marvellous we should
run across each other like this after all
these years
II don't know about being marvel
lous," replied Mr.. Large curtly.
'"Tisn't the first time I've been across
the Channel, although it may be the
last
"For pleasure, presume.
'Tien," said Mr.. Large, "you'd
presume wrong.n
al shall never forget what a smart,
good-lOOking, well-built young fellow
you were when you used to call at
Pembridge Square years ago"
II s'pose," remarked Mr.. Large,
with less frigidity Of manner, 81 s'pOse
could hold me own with the best of
'em in those days"
"How that girl used to rave about
you, Mr.. LARGE I believe she wor-
shipped the very ground you walked
on"
"Was bit gone on me, wasn't she?n
said Mr. Large, chuckling. Lord
the hearts I've broken one way and
the other. What was your husband
when he married ~
"He was-er-a commission agent"
said the lady; FUSED to dabble in near
ly everything. There's sister Of mine
on board"
"Well,n said Mr.. Large, rising, al
shall be getting down 10 my cabin;
there's little too much movement on
the part of this steamer TO suit me-"
Were in the saloon, Mr.. Large.
Ny sister would like to see you, I ex-
pec'i her husbands Eith her."
whats he %
"Well, he''--the lady coughed and
pulled her long cloak around her, "he's
commission agent, too"
"Give 'em my kind regards, " said
Mr.. Llrge "Id see 'em, only that
I've got important business in hand
this journey. May meet again, per-
haps."
Likely as not, said the lady.
Midway in the channel the sea was
less boisterOas, and the steamer went
more sanely. Mr.. Large, nIuffl-d up
in his thick frieze overcoat, had fallen
nearly asleep on the couch of his cabin
when he heard tap at the door. He
did not answer, aud the door opened
very gently. Assuming it to be one of
the sailors, he roared an Imperative
order to bring refreshments; the door
opened wider and the two matronly
ladies presented themselves.
SIT Is the right cabin" said Cath
crime. "Come on, Edward; come in
and shut the door,
Mr. Large sat upon the couch and
stared ut the three with undizguised
astonishment. The mufii sd-up man
kept his head down and examined the
floor Of the cabin with an assumption
of great interest.
"Well,n said slr. Large, satirically,
Il hope you're making yourselves
thoroughly al home"
Margaret and her husband would
insist on seeing you, aud the only plan
was for US all 10 come ia here together
"Pity there wasn't some other plan"
Edward, where's that bottle Of
special you said you'd got?''
Tae silent Edward produced from
the side pocket of his overcoat a large
Hat bottle, and uncorking it, passed it
across to Mr.. Large.
Ladies first, said Mr.. Large.
al eould no more toucn spirits" " said