Year: 1869

| VIII wall even 10 the gates OF the


tomb"


"Then, heaven bless and preserve


you"


CHAPTER II.


The ruined youth was upon the ocean


his voyage commenced duties as a


laborer for his own daily bread all fairly


assumed. All, it was a strange life for


him to enter upon for from the owner


ship of immense wealth to the trade of


books OF merchant ship was a transition


indeed. But, ere he went on deck again,


he had fully resolved that he would do his


duty come what would. He would forget


that he ever did else than work for his


livelihood. With these resolves clearly


defined in his mind, he already felt better.


AT first our supercargo was too weak


to do much. He was very sick, and it


lasted nearly two weeks; but, when that


passed off and he could face the vibrating
deck with stout stomach, his appetite
grew sharp, and his muscles begin to
grow strong. At first his appetite craved
some of the delicacies he had long been
used to; but they were not to be had, and
he soon learned to do without them. The
result was, that his appetite became ma
tural in its wants, and his system began
to find'itsef inyigorated by simple food,
and fresh air and healthful exercise.


For years he had looked upon breakfast
as a meal which must be set out and par
taken of from mere fashion. A cup of
coffee, and, perhaps, piece of French
roll, or seasoned and highly-spiced tit
bit had constituted the morning meal.
But now when breakfast hour came, he
approached it with keen appetite, and
felt as strong and hearty as at any other
time of the day.


By degrees the hollow cheeks became
full, the dark eyes assumed new lustre
the color rich and beautiful, came to the
face, the breast swelled with increasing
power the lungs expanded and grew
strong, the muscels became more firm and
true, the nerves grew steady, and the gar
ments which he had worn when he came
on board had to be let out some inches.
in order to mako them encompass his per-
son. His disposition became cheerful and
bright; and by the time the ship had
reached the shore of the Old World, the
crew had learned to love him. Through
storm and sunshine, through tempest and
calm, through dark hours and bright, the
young supercargo made his voyage. In
one year from the day in which he left his
native land, he placed his foot again upon
the soil of his native State. But he did
not stop. The same ship, with the same.
officers, was going upon the same cruise
again, and he meant to go with her. He
saw Mary Wilson, and she would wait.
He saw DIR. Melville, and the kind old
gentleman praised him for his manly in
dependence.


Again George Bonton was upon the sea,
and again he assumed the duties of his
office, and even more. He stood watch
when there was no need Of 1t, and during
seasons of storm he claimed post on deck.


AT she end of another year he returned
% his home again. He was now twenty
Eight, and few who knew him two years
before could recognize him now. His face
vas bronzed by exposure, his cheeks full
md plump, his. frame stout, strong and
rect. His muscular system was nobly de-
'eloped, and among the men there were
ew who could stand before him in trials
# physical strength. When he first left
he city years before, he had weighed one
hundred and thirty pounds avoirdupois.
lie now brought up the beam fairly at one
and seventy-six. Surely he was


new man in every respect.


On the afternoon of the third day, DIS !
10 entered the hotel, one of the walters |
landed him letter. He opened it and
ound it to be letter from Mr.. Wilson ]
twas request that he would call at the /
nerchant's house at 9o'cleck that evening
George" said the doctor, after Bonton
ad given a full account of his adventures |
1hile at sea, II should think that you
1onld almost forgive poor Rowland for |
aying made off with your fortune |"