Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 11 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

mm —- The New York Library. **A gentleman wishes to see you, sir,”’ said the waiter, | a chair: as Mr. Easy says, we must argue the point, | “Desire him to walk in,’ said Jack; “and, waiter, and then 1 will leave it to your better feelin mind that the punch is a little better than it was seeeey I have asked two more gentlemen to ere.’’ In the meantime, Mr. Sawbridge, who was not in his | were the s for the court-martial, it will not hold good, for air. Easy es ’ dine in the first place, has not yet joined the ship, and in the | | next place, could not be supposed to know that you first lieutenant, or even an officer, for you uniform, had entered, and perceived Jack alone, with | went to him out of uniform.” the dinner table laid out in the best style for eight, a considerable show of plate for even the Fountain Inn, = everything, as well as the apartment itself, accord- ng to commander-in-chief than a midshipman of a sloop of war. | “ je true, sir,’ replied Sawbridge, ‘‘I had forgot- ten that.”’ ‘* Then, as for his dismissal, or rather, not allowing | r. Sawbridge’s opinion, much more fit for a | him to join, Mr, Easy has been brought up in the coun- try, and has never seen anything aquatic larger than a fish-pond, perhaps, in his life; and as for the service, * Now Mr. Sawbridge was a good officer, one who had | or the nature of it, I believe he is as ignorant of it as a really worked his way up to the present rank, that is child not a year old—I doubt whe to say, that he had served seven-and-twenty years, and had nothing but his pay. He was a little soured in the service, and certainly had an aversion to the young men of family who were now fast crowding into it— and with some grounds, as he perceived his own chance of promotion decrease in the same ratio as the num- bers increased. He considered that in proportion as midshipimen assumed a cleaner and more eecementy appearance, so did they become more useless, and it may therefore be e ; er he knows the rank of a lieutenant; certainly, he can have no idea a the power of a first lieutenant, by his treatment of you.” ‘IT should think not,”’ replied Sawbridge, dryly. “IT do not think, therefore, that conduct which must | have proceeded from sheer ignorance should be so. severe M punished—I appeal to you, Sawbridge.’ “Well, sir, perhaps you are right—but still he told -me he was a philosopher, and talked about equality ily imagined that his bile was_ raised by this parade and display in a lad, who was very shortly to be, and ought three weeks before to have been, shrinking from his frown. Nevertheless, Sawbridge was a good-hearted man, although a little piney of jet which he eould not pretend to in- mself. ce + I beg to ask,” said Jack, who was always re- markably polite and gentlemanly in his address, “in what manner I may be of service to you ?”’ “Yes, sir, you may—by joining your ship immedi- ately. And may I beg to reason you have stayed on shore three weeks without joining her ?”’ Hereupon Jack, who did not much admire the per- emptory tone of Mr. Sawbridge, and who, during the | also. ‘ played | never be able to disseminate his o er, had taken a seat, crossed his legs, and answ with the gold chain to which his watch was secured, | to which I after a pause very coolly replied: ** And pray, who are you ?” “Whoam [, sir ?”’ replied Sawbridge, jumping out of his chair—‘‘ my name is Sawbridge, sir, and I am the first lieutenant of the Harpy. Now, sir, you have your er.” Mr. Sawbridge, who imagined that the name of the | commanded. It isa and rights of man. Told me that he could only admit of equality between us, and begged to argue the point. Now, sir, if a midshipman is to argue the point every time that an order is given, the service will come to a | _ pretty pass.” | | | first lieutenant would strike terror to a culprit midship- | man, threw himself back in the chair, and assumed an | Market,” observed Sawbridge. air of importance. “ That is all very true, Sawbridge; and now you re-— mind me of what never occurred to me at the time that — I promised to take Mr. Easy in the ship. I now recol- lect that his father, who is a distant relation of mine, has some very wild notions in his head, just like what has been repeated by his son in your interview with | in return, sir, what is the | him. I have occasionally dined there, and Mr. Easy has always been hoe the principles of natural equality and of the rights of man, much to the amuse- ment of his guests, and I confess, at the time, of mine I recollect telling him that I trusted he would inions in the service belonged, as we should have an end of all discipline. I little thought, at the time, that his only son, who had no more occasion to go to sea than the Archbishop of Canterbury, for his father has a very handsome property—lI believe seven or eight thousand — a year—would ever have sailed with me, and have brought these opinions with him into any ship that I ity, a great pity—”’ ave brought pigs to a worse | “He never could $ ree with you, and as a father myself, I cannot Really, sir,” replied Jack, “ what may be yourexact | but help feeling how careful we should be, how we in- situation on board, my ignorance of the service will not allow me to guess, but if I may judge from your be- | havior eae have no small opinion of yourself.”’ “Look ye, young man, you may not know what a first-lieutenant is, and I take it for granted that you do not, by your behavior; but depend upon it, I'll let you know very soon. In the meantime, , L insist upon it, that you go immediately on board.” “T am so that I cannot comply with your very moderate request,” replied Jack, coolly. ‘‘I shall go on board when it sui will give yourself no further trouble on my account.” } Jack then rung the bell; the waiter, who had been listening outside, immediately entered, and before Mr. Sawbridge, who was dumb with astonishment at Jack’s impertinence, could have time to reply: : Waiter,” said Jack, ‘show this gentleman down- ** By the god of war!” exclaimed the first-lieutenant, “but [ll soon show you down to the boat, my youn bantam; and when once I get you safe on board, I’ make you know the difference between a midshipman and a first-lieutenant.”’ “IT can only admit of equality, sir,’ replied Jack; ** we are all born equal—I trust you'll allow that.” “Equality—damn it, lsuppose you'll take the com- a of the ship. However, sir, your ignorance will a little enlightened by-and-by. Is now go and report your conduct to Captain Wilson; and I tell you plainly, that if you are not on board this evening, to- orrow morning, at daylight, I shall send a sergeant and a file of marines to fetch you.” “You may depend upon it, sir,” replied Jack, “that I also shall not fail to mention’ to Captain Wilson, that I consider you a quarrelsome, impertinent fellow, and recommend not to allow you to remain on board. It will be quite uncomfortable to be in thesame ship with such an ungentlemanly bear.”’ ‘*He must be mad—quite mad,” exclaimed Sawbridge, whose astonishment even mastered his indignation. **Mad as a March hare—by God,” ‘No, sir,”’ replied Jack, “‘I am not mad, but I am a philosopher.” ‘“‘A what?” exclaimed peg whitey ve ‘“‘damme, what next? well, my joker, all the better for you, I shall put your philosophy to the proof.” “It is for that very reason, sir,” coped Jack, “ that I have decided upon going to sea; and if you do remain on board, I hope to argue the point with you, and make a convert to the truth of equality and the rights of “‘ By the Lord that made us both, I'llsoon make you a convert to the thirty-six articles of war—that is, if you remain on board; but I shall now go to the captain, and rt — conduct, sir, and leave you to your din- ner w | tite you may.” Sir, Lam oO to you; but you need not be of tite; I am only sorry, as you hap- same ship, that I cannot, in justice oung men whom I expect, ask you wish youa ag J good-morning, er." ty years have I been in the service,” roared Sawbridge, ‘‘and, damme——but he’s mad—down- right, stark, staring mad.” And the first lieutenant bounced of the room. Jack was a little astonished himself. Had Mr. Saw- bidge made his appearance in uniform it might have been different, but that a plain-looking man, with black whiskers, hair, and old blue frock coat and yellow cassimere waistcoat, should venture to ad- dress him in such a manner, was quite incomprehensi- ble. “He calls me mad,” thought Jack, “I shall tell a Wilson what is my opinion about his lieuten- ant.” Shortly afterward the company arrived, and Jack soon forgot all about it. In the meantime Sawbri called at the captain's and found him at home. He made a very _report of all that had happened, and con- eluded his report by demianding, in great wrath, either an instant dismissal or a court-martial on our hero, ack. “Stop, Sawbridge,”’ replied Captain Woon, “take | | my convenience, and I beg that you | him of them?” | culcate anything like abstract and philosophical ideas to youth. Allowing them to be in themselves correct, still they are dateer dus as sharp instruments are in the hands of a child; allowing them to be erroneous, they are seized upon with an avidity by young and ar-— dent minds, and are not to be eradicated without the greatest difficulty, and very often not until they have accomplished their ruin,” “Then you think, sir, that these ideas have taken deep root in this young man, and we shall not easily rid “IT do not say so; but still, recollect me! have been instilled, perhaps, from the earliest period, by one from whom they must have been received with all confi- dence—from a father to a son; and that son has never <a sufficiently in the world te have proved their | a » Fas ‘Well, sir,” replied Sawbridge, “if I may venture to offer an opinion on the subject—and in so doing I assure you that I only shall from a feeling for the service—if, | as you say, these opinions will not be eradicated, | as the yo man is independent, would it not be both | better for himself, as well as for the service, that he is sent home again? As an officer he will never do any good for himself, and he may do much harm to others. submit this to you, Captain Wilson, with all respect; but as your first lieutenant, I feel very jealous at any chance of the discipline of the ship belng interfered with by the introduction of this young man, to whom it a that a profession is no object.” “My dear Sawbridge,”’ replied Captain Wilson, after | taking one or two turns up and down the room, “ we entered the service together, we were messmates for many years, and you must be aware that it is not only long friendship, but an intimate knowledge of your un- rewarded merit, which has induced me to request you | to come with me as my first lieutenant. Now, I will ‘ a case to you, and you shall then decide the ques- ion—and moreover, I will abide by your decision, ‘Suppose that you were a commander like myself, with a wife and seven children, and that, struggling for many years to support them, you found yourself, notwithstanding the utmost parsimony, gradually run- ning into debt. That, after many long applications, you had at last succeeded in obtaining employment by an appointment to a fine sloop, and there was every prospect, by prize-money and increased pay, of recov- ering vommeait from your difficulties, if not realizing a sufficient provision for your family. 1hen suppose that | all this prospect and all these hopes were likely to be | dashed to the ground by the fact that of having no _ means of fitting yourself out, no credit, no means of | paying debts you have contracted, for which you | would have been arrested, or anything sufficient to | leave for the support of your family during your ab- | sence, your agent only consenting to advance one-half | of what you yequire. Now, sup ae See Kinde tom dilemma, without one in rhom timate claim, as a last resource you you have any legi tant connection, and but an occasional acquaintance— and that when you had made your request for the loan | of two or three hundred pounds, fully anticipat refusal (from the feeling that he who goes a-borrow you only to Sawbridge, what would hd @ man r ‘T would die for him,” replied Sawbridge, with emo- | on ** And prpyane that, by the merest chance, or from a | whim of G e naa ae me of placed under your pro on?” “T would ne 6 father to him,” replied Sawbridge, “But we must proceed a little further: suppose that you were to find the lad was not all that you could wish —that he had imbibed erroneous doctrines, which would | your feelings toward such quences fatal to his welfare and happiness, would you, | a note, requesting him to breakfast wi back to For were to apply to one with whom you have but a dis- bridge the evening before, an she | se person oes a-sorrowing)—I say, suppose, to your astonish- | with equality, Captain ment, that this generous person Was to present you | However, he first with a cheque on his bankerfor one thousand pounds, | was, at the time being, the captain, as he was the senior demanding no interest, no legal security, and requests | officer on board, as would Jack himself our convenience—I ask you, | the senior officer on board; and that, as he before ob- therefore, on that account, withdraw your at pid pen and leave him to the mercy of others, who had ne claims of gratitude to sway them in his favor?” ‘“Most certainly not, sir,’ replied Sawbridge; “on the contrary, I would never part with the son until, by precept or otherwise, I set him bans again, and thus had, as far as it was possible, d the debt of gratitude due to the generous father.”’ “T hardly need say to you, Sawbridge, after what has passed, that this lad you have just come from is the son, and that Mr. Easy of Forest Hill is the father.” “Then, sir, I can only say, that not only to please you, but also from respect to a man who has shown such good will toward one of our cloth, I shall most cheerfully forgive all that has peewee between the lad and me, and all that may probably take place before we make him what he ought to be.”’ “Thank you, Sawbridge; I expected as much, and am not disappointed in my opinion of you.” ‘*And now, Captain Wilson, pray what is to be done?” “We must get him on board, but not with a file of marines—that will do more harm than om I will send th me to-morrow morning, and have a little conversation with him, I do not wish to frighten him; he would not secruple to run Hill—now I wish to keep him if I pos- sibly can,” “You are right, sir; his father appears his greatest enemy. What a pity that a man with so good a heart should be so weak in the head! Then, sir, I shall take no notice of this at present, but leave the whole affair in your hands.”’ ‘ Do, Sawbridge; you have obliged me very much by your kindness in this business,” Mr. Sawbridge then took his leave, and Captain Wil- son dispatched a note to our hero, uesting the pleas- ure of his company to breakfast at nine o’clock the en- suing morning. The answer was in the affirmative, but verbal, for Jack had drunk too much champagne to trust his pen to paper. CHAPTER IX. IN WHICH MR, EASY FINDS HIMSELF ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BAY OF BISCAY. THe next morning Jack Easy would have forgotten all about his engagement with the captain, had it not been for the waiter, who thought that, after the reception which our hero had given the first lieutenant, it would be just as well that he should not be disrespectful to the captain. Now, Jack had not, hitherto, put on his uniform, and he thought this a fitting occasion, par- ticularly as the waiter suggested the propriety of his appearance init. Whether it was from a presentiment of what he was to suffer, Jack was not at all ee aay 8 as most lads are, with the change in his dre appeared to him that he was sacrificing his independ- ence; however, he did not follow his first impulse, which was to take it off again, but took his hat, which the waiter had brushed and handed to him, and then set off for the captain’s lodgings. Captain Wilson received him as if he had not been aware of his delay in joining his ship, or his interview with his first lieu- tenant, but before breakfast was over, Jack himself narrated the affair in a few words. ptain Wilson then entered into a detail of the duties and rank of every person on board of the ship, pointing out to Jack that where discipline was required it was impossible when roe J was carried on, that more than one could command; and that that one was the captain, who represented the king in person, who represented the country; and that, as the orders were transmitted from the captain through the lieutenant, and from the lieu- tenant to the midshipmen, who, in their turn com- municated them to the whole ship’s company, in fac it was the captain alone who gave the orders, and tha every one was Sere A obliged to obey. Indeed, as the captain himself had to obey the orders of his superiors, _ the admiral and the admiralty, all on board ht be said to be equally ob to obey. Captain Wilson laid a strong emphasis on the word equally, as he cautiously administered his first dose; indeed, in the whole of his address, he made use of special pleading, which would have done credit to the bar; for at the same time that he was explaining to Jack that he was entering a service in which equality could never for a moment exist, if the service was to exist, he contrived to show that all the grades were leveled, by all bei bound to do their duty to their country; and that, in fact, whether a seaman obeyed his orders, or he = the orders of his superior officer, they were in ty only obeying the orders of the coun administered through their channels. Jack did not altogether dislike this view of the sub- , which were | ject, and the captain took good care not to dwell too ong upon it. He then entered upon other details, _ which he was aware would be more agreeable to Jack. He pointed out that the articles of war were the rules by which the service was to be guided, and that every- body, from the captain to the least boy in the ship, was equally bound to adhere to them—that a certain allowance of provisions and wine were allowed to cach person on board, and that this allowance was the same to all; the same to the captain as to the boy; the same in quantity as in quay — ecually entitled to his allowance—that, although there were, of necessity, various grades necess in the service, and the captain’s orders were obliged to be and dhevaki by all, yet still, whatever was the grade of the officer, they were equally considered as gentlemen. In short, Cap Wilson, who told the truth, and nothing but the truth, without telling the whole truth, actually made Jack fancy that he had at last found out that equality he had been seeking for in vain on shore, when, at last, he recollected the | used by Mr. Saw- ed the captain why e had so conducted himself. Now, as the of Mr. moby was very much at variance n was not a little puzzled. inted out that the first lieutenant be if he were served, the captain or senior officer represented the country. Thatin the articles of war, everybody who abscnted himself from the ship committed an error, or breach of those articles; and those articles was committed by any one belo to that man was to be the ship, if the senior officer did not take notice of it, he _ then him was liable himself to be mee if he could not prove that he had noticed it; did it in strong language, it only proved is zeal for his it ins e, it o rov or probably, if not eradicated, be attended with conse- country. + ~y any error or breach of self committed a breach of those articles, and was therefore to save himself ‘*Upon my honor, then,”’ replied Jack, “‘ there can be Comicbooks.¢co mr { :