The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1903-01-03


anybody's mind as baby? Perhaps
may be, but don't mention my weigh
again, If you please. My weight ha
been the grand misfortune of my life
1t spoiled all my prospects, as you vii
presently hear, before l was two day
old.
My story begins thirty-one years ag
at IL o'clock in the forenoon and start
with the great mistake of my first ap
pearance In this world at sea on boart
the merchant ship Adventure, Captain
Gillop, 500 tons burden, coppered, an(
carrying an experienced surgeon.
In presenting myself to you at thai
eventful period of my life when was
from five to ten minutes old l need
not hesitate to admit that l speak or
hearsay knowledge only. 1t is knowl
edge, however, that may be relied or
for all that. My information comes
from Captain Gillop, commander OF
the Adventure, who sent it to me In
the form of a letter; from Mr. Jolly
experienced surgeon of the Adventure
who wrote 1t for me-most unfeelingly,
as think-in the shape of humorous
narrative, and from Mrs. Drabble,
stewardess of the Adventure, who told
1t me by word of mouth
The Adventure was bound out from
London to Australia. A ship of 800
tons, well loaded with cargo, doesn't
offer first rate accommodation to a
large number of passengers. Not that
the gentlefolks in the cabin had any
great reason to complain. There the
passage money, which was a good
round sum, kept them what you call
select One or two berths in this part
of the ship were even empty and going
a-begging in consequence of there be-
Ing only four cabin passengers. These
are their names and descriptions:
Mr.. Sims, middle aged man, going
out on building speculation; Mr..
Purllng, a weakly young gentleman,
sent on long sea voyage for the bene-
mt of his health, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Smallchild. young married couple,
with little independence which Mr..
Smallchild proposed to make a large
one by sheep farming.
This gentleman was reported to the
captain as being very good company
when on shore. But the sea altered
him to a certain extent. When Mr..
Smallchild was not sick, he was eating
and drinking. and when he was not
eating and drinking he was fast asleep.
AS for Mrs. Smallchild, she kept her
cabin from first to last. But you will
hear more of her presently.
These four cabin passengers. as I
have already remarked, were well
enough off for their accommodation.
But the miserable people in the steer
age were all huddled together, men
and women and children, hlggledy
like sheep In pen, except
that they hadn't got the same quantity
of fine fresh air to blow over them.
They We're artisans and farm laborers
who couldn't make 1t out in the old
country.
There was only one family among
them which need be mentioned-name-
ly, the family of the Heavysides-to
wit, Simon Heavysides, intelligent and
well educated. a carpenter by trade;
Susan Heavysides. his wife, and seven
little Heavysides, their unfortunate
offspring. My father and mother and
brothers and sisters, did | understand
you to say? Don't be In a hurry. I
recommend you to wait a little before
you make quite sure of that circum- |
stance.
stormy weather came down on us |
rom all points of the compass, with
intervals of light, battling winds or
lead Gains. By the time the Adyen-
.ure had been three months out Can
.ain Gillop's naturally sweet temper
began to get soured. | leave you to
'ay whether it was likely to be much
by piece of news which
reached him from the region of the
'abin on the morning of the ninety
lrst day.
Il have got some news that will
'ather surprise you" said Mr.. Jolly.
milling and rubbing his hands.
III It's news of fair wind comlng.o
the captain, that would
urprise me ON board this ship. / can
you"
IT'S not exactly wind coming"
aid MIR. Jolly. Its another cabin
passenger"
The captain looked round at the emp
y sea. with the land thousands of miles
way and with not ship in sight.
urned sharply on the experienced sur
'eon. eyed him hard. changed color
uddenly and asked what he meant.
Il mean there's a fifth cabin passen-
'er coming on board" persisted Mr..
oily, grinning from ear to ear, Intro
uced by Mrs. Smallchild; size. moth
~ to speak of; manners and customs
robably squally."
DO you really mean itY asked the
aptain, backing away and turning
aler and paler.
yes; do" answered Mr.. Jolly.
odding hard at him.
"Then I'll tell you what cried Can.
ain Gillop, suddenly flying into a VIC.
mt passion, Il won't have 1t. The In
ernal weather has worried me out oe
~ life and soul already, and l WON'T
ave 1t. Tell her there isn't room
nough for that sort of thing on board
4