The Argosy — page 230: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Fenny Morris's Voyage. 215 can be so. But, to tell you the truth, I know nothing about it ; I never thought I should need to ; but I’ll begin to inform myself of all things without delay.” ‘Vou can never go alone, my dear!” ‘“‘T must, aunt—unless I can find anyone to go with,” was Jenny’s answer. “ Think of Elsie.” ‘Ts there no hope for this?—no turning you, Jenny ?” ‘‘None, aunt. To go is an imperative duty.” “Then, my child—oh dear! that I should have to tell you—I do know of someone who is going. And that’s Mrs. Webb. I met her the day before that dreadful letter came. She informed me that she was going out there to join her husband.” Jenny’s eyes sparkled. “‘Oh, aunt, it is the very thing !” Miss Morris only groaned. It was simply appalling. Jenny, in the abstract, did not much like Mrs. Webb, but, as an escort to California, she seemed all that could be desired. She was not very much older than Jenny. Mr. Webb had gone out some two years before, had been successful in-his speculations there, and she was now about to join him. Jenny put on her things, and went forthwith to Mrs. Webb’s house, and found her busy and triumphant. “Oh, Jenny, it is charming to have you with me as a companion. I thought I should only have old Mr. Bumble. He’s very kind and all that, but you know he is like my grandfather.” ‘Mr. who?” said Jenny. ‘‘Mr. Bumble.” ‘‘He must be brother to Charles Dickens’s Bumble,” cried Jenny, laughing. : 3 | “ He is going out there about a patent for some mining shaft, and is to take care of me. He takes all the arrangements for me upon him- self, and so he will for you; ship, passage, berth, everything. You will have nothing to do but get your outfit.” ‘“‘T hope—of course—we shall go in the quickest manner possible,” said Jenny. “ Of course,’ replied Mrs. Webb, emphatically. ‘ Do you think Mr. Bumble, with all his experience, does not know what he is about, Jenny ? You may implicitly trust him for all things.—As I do.” With this comfortable assurance, Jenny Morris went home with a mind at rest. No time was lost over her own preparations. In fact, there was no time to lose; for the ship chosen by Mr. Bumble was to sail at once. | ‘He is a perfect treasure,” said Mrs. Webb. ‘“ We need never see the ship at all till we join it.” As the time was so short, they were to go down by rail, and join the ship on her finally sailing from the last port she touched at. Jenny connicloooks CO im