The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-05


"Um!" calculated my father as he
thoughtfully removed his double eye glass
from his nose with one hand. and with
the other passed letter TO me across the
breakfast-table-- "Um! this letter will In
terest you. Dick. 1t is from Captain Yer
nom"
My heart leaped with sudden excite
ment, and my hand trembed as
stretched IL out for the proffered epistle.
The mention OF Captain Vernons name,
together with the announcement that the
sublect-matter OF the letter was OF inter
est to me, prepared me In great meas
ure for the intelligence IL conveyed:
which was 10 the effect that the writer.
having been appointed to the command
OF the sloop-of-war Daphne. now found
himself in a position TO fulfil promise OF
some standing 10 his dear and honored
friend DIR. Hawkesley Cmy father by re-
ceiving his son (myselD on board the
sloop with the rating OF midshipman.
The sloop, the letter went on TO say,
was commissioned for service on the west
coast OF Africa: and II decided 10 Join
her no time should be lost In procuring
my outfit as the Daphne was under or
ders 10 sail on the: just four days from
the date OF the receipt OF the letter.
well. Dick, what do you think OF Cap
tain Vernon's proposal?' inquired my
father somewhat sadly. as concluded my
perusal OF the letter and raised my eyes
20 his.
"Oh, father!" | exclaimed eagerly. 81
hope you will consent TO let me go. Per-
haps / may never have another such an
opportunity: and / am quite sure j shall
never care TO be anything but a sailor"
"Ah yes-the old. old story" murmured
my father. shaking his head dubiously.
Thousands OF lads have told their faith
ers exactly The Same thing and have
lived TO bitterly regret their choice OF
profession. Look at my life. have to
run about In all weathers: TO take my
meals when and how / can; there is not
a single hour I'm the twenty-four that
can call my own; il is a rare thing for
me TO get a night OF undisturbed rest: IL
IS a hard. anxious, harassing ife that
lead-you have often said SO yourself. and
judged IL as one OF the reasons why you
object TO follow i'm my footsteps.
But tell you Dick. that my life-ay,
or the life even OF the poorest country
practitioner, for that matter-is one OF
ease and luxury compared with that OF a
sailor But I have said all this to you
over and over again, without convincine
you: and hardly dare hope that shall
be more successful now; So II you are
really quite resolved to go to sea, l will
offer no further objections
1T is true that you will be going to an
unhealthy climate; but God Is Just as well
able to preserve you there as He Is here;
and then, again, you have strong
healthy, constitution, which fortified with
such preservative medicines as j can
supply, WILL hope enable you TO with
stand the malaria and to return 20 US In
safety Now. what do you say-are you
still resolved TO go?"
% I rppiipd emphatiCally. Now
that you have given your consent the last
obstacle is removed, and / can-follow
with a light heart the bent OF my own
inclinations."
.'yery well, then" said my father. ris-
ing from the table and pushing back his
chair THAT question being settled, we
had better call upon Mr.. Shears forthwith
and give the order for your uniform and
outfit. There is no time TO lose; and since
go YOU will I would very much rather
YOU went with Vernon than with any one
else"
The above conversation took place. as
already stated I'm the breakfast-room OF
my fathers house. My father was at that
time-as he continued TO be until the day
Of his death-the leading physician in
Portsmouth; and his house-a substantial
four-story building g-stood near the top OF
the High street The establishment OF Mr..
shears. Army and Navy Tailor, Cloth
Ter. and Outftter," was situated near the
bottom OF the same street.
A walk therefore. OF some ten minutes
duration took us 10 our destination; and
at the end OF n further half-hour's anx-
ious consultation had been measured for
nv uniform-one suit OF which was faith
fully promised for the next day-had
chosen my sea-chest and had selected
complete outfit Of such clothing as was to
be obtained ready-made. This important
business concluded, my father departed
upon his daily round Of visits and had
the remainder OF the day at my own dis
posal
My first act on emerging from the door
OF Mr.. Shears establishment was TO has
ten OF 10 the dockyard at top speed 20
take another look at the Daphne. ] bad
often seen the craft before; had taken an
interest in her indeed. | may say, from
the moment that her keel was laid-she
WAS built IN Portsmouth dockyard--and
had watched her progress To completion
and her recent launch with an admiration
which had steadily increased until Il
grew into positive love. And now / was
actually to have the happiness. the bliss.
OF going 10 sea In her as an officer on her
first cruise. Ecstatic thought felt as
though was walking on air
But my rapture received pretty effect
ual damper when I renected-as I soon
did-that my obstinate determination to
t~1.. IT,