River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-12-13
A Pleasure Voyage
By Lynn ROby Meekins
Copyright 1900 by Daily Story Pub Coz

A FEW minutes before the steam
~ ship POntic left San Francisco
Young woman, followed by a porter
carrying two satchels, hurried up the
gang-plank She proceeded at once to
the purser's office and said in an anN-
ious but business-like tone:
''You got my telegram-Miss Percy
Hartwell, of Denyer?"
Yes" he replied.
'"rhtf. S,.;. :s7sy < .tateroom for me -
eyes" he answered again, but you
know this ship is making a round trip
to Honolulu and does not go to Japan?"
THAT will be all right, she said, as
she paid her fare. BY the time the
gang plank was hauled in and the ship
had cast of she was safely quartered in
her stateroom.
The indescribable journey through
the Golden Gate. with all the glorious
play of color and contrast and scene.
seemed to have no attraction for her.
Not until the ship with the happy
crowd of travellers was well out to sea
did she make her appearance on deck.
She was Of medium height, well built
and perfectly dressed Even the dust
and WEAKNESS of long railroad ride
had not dulled the beauty of her blue
eyes nor paled the glow of her fine com
plexion.
1t takes several days TO find out that
the captain of a ship is not an informa-
tion bureau, and after that sensible
people leave him to his uncommunica-
tive ways
Miss Percy Hartwell began where
the others left off. She did not ask
Capt. Wheelton questions. In some
way which made the others jealous she
compelled him to seek her. In sun
shine and in storm she was equally in
evidence and after awhile the grizzled
old captain began to admire her sea
worthy qualities. She was cheerful,
she was interesting, and she was full
of vigor and common sense. Like every
good diplomatist, She did not force
the point until she reached it, and then
with a smile. which would have won
the confidence of any man who had
a spark of feeling left. she said in
calm voice that had in it an under
tone of pleading which even a steam
ship captain could feel:
Captain. | want to be perfectly
frank with YOU | understand, of
course, that this is an excursion to
Hawaii and return. Now, do not like
excursions at all. and a few days ago
l had no more idea of coming on this
trip than of going up in a balloon. NV
reason in coming was the hope that
YOU might oyertake the transport
David. which sailed "a hours ahead of
YOU. There is some one on that shin
that | must see and thought there
was a possibility of overtaking the YES
sci before we reached Honolulu Now.
l want TO ask you frankly if YOU think
il can be done? She is slower than
You are
The captain looked at her with his
weather eye opened wid4r than usual.
and she continues:
do not give me one of your excur-
sion replies. but think over il and figure
il out"
well. well, Well" he exclaimed. but
before he could answer a call took him
away.
Miss Percy Iartwell's next efforts
were exerted upon the chief engineer,
whom she managed to meet. and whose
engine room she visited. distributing
well balanced praise that pleased the
old Scotsm?n nightly. The result was
that in the course of IS hours she had
these two worthless of the ship calculat-
ing for her benefit, and when she final
IN drew from them the points that
they might overtake the David some
hours before they reached Honolulu
she expressed her satisfaction, and
then the captain let her into an official
confidence.
You must not mention it, he said
''but we have important dispatches
from the government which we must
deliver to the David il possible"
Then Miss Percy Hartwell did very
surprising thing. She jumped mp.
clapped her hands. and exclaimed
"Hurrah!"
The voyage went on pleasantly and
swiftly and Miss Hartwell laughed aut,
joied with the captain and the chief
engineer, urging them to push the shiI
a little faster.
Finally there came fine gray morn
ING. when there was a blur on the hori-
ION in front. and Miss Hartwell cared
for neither breakfast nor luncheon.
While the chase was going on the blur
was>growing into the distinctness of o
great steel huh freighted with human
beings.
II was afternoon when the ships
came within hailing distance. just be-
fore signaling the captain approached
Miss Hartwell and asked:
What is his name and what do you
want me to do"
Lieut.. Edward Lehman" she re
piled. land | want you to either bring
him over to me or 10 send me over &c
him" and the signaling began.
Government dispatches for tbs
David. and. if YOU please, send Lieut.
edward Ledman."
Soon a boat put out from the other
ship and the passe gers crowded over
10 watch its coming. The sailors pulled
with steady stroke and the little craft
rose and fell with the pillows. while
the hands of Miss Percy HartweH
clutched the railing as if human life
we're at stake.