The Argosy — page 231: what you’re looking at

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

- 216 Feniuy Morris’s Voyage. Morris was terribly low-spirited the night before, the last night of ned stay on land; and her aunt saw it. ““No, aunt; I am not afraid of the voyage. It is not that: Mr Bumble writes word that it will be quite a pleasure trip. And the thought of seeing Elsie again is delightful. But no one can leave their home, and embark for a far-off unknown land, without feeling it.” ‘“ Who knows, Jenny, but you will pick up a husband on the voyage ? ” cried Lucy Elderton, who, with other of Jenny's young friends, had come to see the last of her. ‘The passengers sometimes are very nice * ‘“‘ Zucy /” interrupted Jenny, with the glance of an offended empress, “for goodness’ sake don’t make me lose my respect for you! How can you be so—so ‘ ‘“*So what, Jenny?” “Well, I was going to say coarse, Lucy. What have you ever seen In me to call up such an idea as that?” All the proprieties of life were sacred to Jenny Morris. It was on a Saturday morning that Mrs. Webb and Jenny first saw the ship they were to sail by. She was called the Zightning. Jenny had passed a sleepless and weeping night, and nothing was left but to embark. Their luggage was already on board. As they drove along the wharf, Jenny glanced at the piles of ware- houses and the hurrying signs of business with the strange wonder one feels when bound on a long voyage, to see home interests speeding along unruffled and unchanged. “Do you know much about ships, Mrs. Webb?” ‘“‘ Never saw such a thing in my life, except at a distance,” promptly responded that lady. “That is, I never was on board one. When William left for California he came down here to embark, and would not hear of my coming with him. I wish I did know something of them: it would be very comfortable to start with a little experience of sea life.” Jenny sighed, and looked doubtfully at a forest of masts that sprang up before them. ‘The carriage suddenly stopped and turned round for them to alight. | ‘Oh, never fear,” said Mrs. Webb, encouragingly, as she got out. ‘‘ Mr. Bumble knows enough for both of. us.” Mr. Bumble was on board waiting for them ; an elderly gentleman with a round, red face. | 5: | “This way, my dears, this way,” said he, with a most fatherly air. “T dare not get out of the boat, for I’ve had a job to get it. All the boats are in requisition this morning. Wind’s fair, and many ships are going off.” ; They did not hear what he said in the trouble of getting into the little boat that was to row them tothe ship. ‘The ladies were utterly bewHdered. Gomicbooks.co