The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-10-25
Eisie,s ocean voyage.

England is long way from the
United States-more than 5000 miles,
and six days on one of the immense
ocean steamers Is considered quick
trip from Liverpool to New York.
Some fortunate people have taken this
ocean trip so often. that 1t has be-.
come quite an old story to them. but
to others it is an important event IN
their lives. So 1t was with Elsie
Thornton. She was a little English
girl, Just past her thirteenth birthday,
and had lived In little town near
Liverpool all her life.
Elsie's mother had been dead since
she was a wee girl--she could scarcely
remember her-and six weeks before
this story opens her father was laid
in his grave, leaving this forlorn lit
tie girl almost alone in the world.
Not quite alone. however, thoagh the
Atlantic ocean was between them. for
in New York city lived the dear Aunt
Elsie for whom she was named. and
who, every Christmas, had sent her
such pretty presents. There were
some little cousins. too. and Elsie's
curiosity was very great concerning
them. When Aunt Elsie had learned OF
her only brothers death she wrote
several letters to Elsie and to her.
guardian, Mr.. Benson. expressing her.
wish to have her niece come and live
with her. This had been partly ar
ranged before Mr. Thornton died. so
it was not an entirely new idea to
Elsie. But America What a dis.
tar ae it seemed!
The train whirled along toward Liv-1
erpooI, and Elsie looked up rather
frightened at the man beside her as
she thought of it. He was an old
friend of her fathers. and had been
very good to her; indeed she had been
staying several weeks in his family,
where her little black gown and big
sad eyes made everyone most kind -
her.
You're. not getting frightened, are.
you, little girl" said her guardian.
kindly.
No-oo. but was wishing might
60 right to bed on the steamer and
| be there whom / wake up, the way we
do when we cross the channel to
Calais. you know
| Nov lay q wager you'll dread to
see land. and when the trip is ended
you'll be awfully sorry. hope it
will Dut some color into those cheeks.
anyway. Have you everything you
need for the Journey" asked Mr..
Benson. laying aside his papers and
putting away his glasses. for they were
nearing the big city Of Liverpool.
YES, think SO" said the girl, "only
/ would be so happy il | might have
Yorick with me Just little while ev-
cry, day. He'll die. away off among the
luggage. He will, indeed, with his
heart most broken anyway for poor
para"
At the sound of his name a beauti-
full Irish setter lifted his head from the
Opposite seat in the compartment and
looked wistfuly at his young mistress.
Tt can't be permitted, dear. an
swered Mr.. Benson. and don't you
worry about him. | have made ar
rangements for him to be well cared
for. and the stewardess will take you
down below every day to see him"
After that. every moment was occu-
pied in getting their traps together and
in attending to some final business.
Elsie kept up very brayely, until she
espied her governess among some 9TH
er friends on the wharf. Then she
broke down and sobbed in the woman's
arms.
aWhy can't you come. too, Barnes?"
she asked. You would II you loved
re .
'But can't. Miss Elsie. Your aunt
thinks yoiir too big for me now. and
ought to go into school, though. good
ness knows. that isn't the way our
little gentry is brought up"
The parting with everyone was f.
nally over. and Mr.. Benson, Elsie and
Yorick were watching the crowd on the
wharf grow smaller as the important
little tender steamed away. There
wasn't much time for tears. though,
for they were soon alongside the big
ocean steamship, 'Lucania," and as
Elsie looked from one end of it to the
other it seemed half mile long.
sit grieves me very much that am
unable to make this trip with you,
Elsie,' said Mr. Benson. as they went
up the little ladder at the side Of the
steamer. "But you will be brave and
contented. will you not? Mrs. Elton,
under whose care ! am putting you,
is very sweet woman, and you can
remember that she was friend OF
your mothers. 1t is most fortunate
that you are able to sail with her"
IL would have been hard to have
found more pathetic figure than Ell
ing by the railing, straining her eyes
In the dusk for last glimpse of the
sizes a few hours later. She was stand
land that was home to her where she
had been so happy with her father and
all her friends. Even Yorick had been
taken from her. and she knew that
that was his bark in the distance.
Mrs Elton was. indeed. very nice