The Argosy — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 13 Aunt Copp, looking at Hester. ‘‘She should see our cobbling on board.” ‘Good-bye, once again,” cried the Major. “Mind you bring the oysters with you,” called out Mrs. Halli- well. “And mind you come in time for supper,” added Aunt Copp. It was on the stroke of eleven, and Hester had begun her task, when they discerned the Major coming back again full pelt. ‘Well, if ever I knew such a thing as this!” ejaculated Aunt Copp, and she and Mrs. Halliwell ran out and met him half way down the gravel walk. “My pocket-book,” panted the Major, “my pocket-book. I omitted to take it out of the coat. Fetch it, one of you. It is in the breast-pocket.” Mrs. Halliwell went back to the house, but Rebecca Copp laid her hand upon her brother’s shoulder. “James, pray heed me for once. Do not go to-day. Stop at home, and go another day.” “In the name of wonder, what for?” demanded Major Halliwell. “‘T shall be in time.” “ Don’t you see how everything ts contributing to keep you here ? It is already past eleven, and you have been hindered going. Pray heed it.” , ‘“T never heard such rubbish in my life,” cried the Major, almost irritably. ‘It is only fit to tell to a child.” “Tt is not rubbish,” earnestly persisted Aunt Copp. ‘‘ There was a ship, the Whirlpool, started from the London Docks. Before she was well out of dock an accident happened to her rudder, and she had to put back for repair. ‘Then she made a second start, dropped down to Gravesend, and went on. Before she reached Ramsgate a squall overtook her, damaged her rigging, and she had to put in there. Well, that was remedied, but it kept them three days—James, do listen ; what’s the use of being impatient? Away-went the Whzrlpoo: again, and reached Portsmouth, when it was discovered that an infectious fever had broken out on board. ‘The passengers left the ship, she was fumigated, and in a few months’ time, many of them, not all, came on board again. JVot one had died of the fever, but some of them had taken warning, and they said good-bye for ever to the Whirlpool. When she was ready for the start, our ship was lying alongside of her. My husband said to the captain, ‘ Wilson, you'll never get her safe to the other side.’ ‘I have my doubts I sha’n’t,’ answered Captain Wilson, ‘it has been a bad beginning. Farewell, old comrade ; we'll shake hands hearty, though it should be for the last time.’ And it was the last, James,” added Mrs. Copp solemnly ; “the Whirlpool started on her voyage, and she never was heard of again.” Hester had drawn near and was listening, and Mrs. Halliwell now GomiilGcaooksaco