Edward Barry / South Sea Pearler

l brought Barry out into the glare and noise of the lower part of the principal thoroughfares of the city, which, boist

at the corner of George and Bridge streets. The house was much frequented by men of his own position in the merchant service, and, as he walked into the

r further away from the fire, so as to give the newcomer more roo

s down the street is taking care of them for me, Mr. Todd. And he's

thetic murmur, and then one of them in a deep, rumbling kind of voice, and w

got a ship, the skipper has given me an advance out of his own pocket, and as soon as I g

on't you do it, young fellow. Why, the skipper as give you the advance

like us can't run the risk of being see

to perceive that his companions thought nothing of a man having to avail himself of a paw

. "I'll get one of the hands aboard my hooke

ised to be aboard to-night, and

f that;" then rising from his seat he walked to the door, opened it, and then turning his

to the passage and then u

he right sort. I could see you were getting pretty well pushed, although you have always kept a stiff upper lip. Now, look there. There's my chest. Help yourself to some dry togs-they'll fit you right enough.

feel grateful. I've only those I stand up in, and I'm feeling jolly cold. But I've a goo

ed his sea chest and threw a col

w out the light when you've finished, lock the door, and leave the key in the bar, and if you're on for

Barry's thanks, he went o

the room door, and hurried down into the bar, where he left the key as directed, and had some coffee and a sandwich or

doors, entered, and went directly to the open counter instead of availing himself of one of the dirty, ill-smelling

ich transaction took four pounds out of the ten he possessed. His watch and chain were the last to be produced, and as he was winding up the former, before placing it in his vest pocket, he heard a voice p

it was bought in Calcutta fifty yea

it cost. I dell you dot ve don't advance nodings on do

then? Will you giv

do, so as to have no more droubles mit you, ven I have m

ed hand; and then to the astonishment of the pawnbroker and his assistants, and the people in the shop

of this place, Mr. Maynard

le, pale-faced, white-moustached man came out

saw that the old man was trembling with excitement; "

our voice gave me a shock-no, no, not a shock, my boy, but a surprise, a pleasant surprise," and h

e?" asked Ba

and looked piteou

e are poor, very poor now; she

t repress burst from the seaman's lips.

s a good place," and he indicated a large, brilliantly lighted restaurant on the opposite side o

t not stay long. I always wait for Rose to see her

en-if you will allow me to come with you-I should like to see Miss Ma

to hear that you are leaving. She has never forgotten you, and we have oft

supper. Then for the first time he was able to observe the thin, pinched face and shabby clothing of his companion. "Poor old fellow,

hand on that of the old man,

all loan from me? Do not refuse me, please. I assure you it will give me the greatest happiness in the world," and then disregarding the old gentleman's protestations with smiling good-humour,

e-"I know your good-nature too well. I was always, as my poor wife used to say, a stupid old man, but I am not so stupid as not to know that had matters gone wel

nd then," he added in the most unblushing manner, "I only went to the pawnshop to redeem these things here for a friend of mine, who couldn't go for them hi

my dear boy. Rose w

s Maynard in my presence I shall be put ou

miserable weekly wage as clerk in a shipping firm, where his knowledge of foreign languages was of value. For some few months he and his daughter managed to keep their heads above water; then came sickness and consequent loss of his clerkship, and increasing hardships to be endured in their poor lodgings in the poorest quarter of the city. Rose Maynard, with aching heart, saw him rapidly sinking into despondency as their funds became lower and lower with each rent day. What could she do to help? Against her father's wish, she h

is breath. He had often heard Rose Maynard speak of h

I found she had obtained a situation in a draper's shop at thirty shillings a week. That very day I returned my sister's gift, urging her to use it for the 'worthier purpose.' Rose, who cannot help being mischievous, was in such high spirits that

ied the seaman, leaning back in

some of the little articles we had saved when our home was broken up, I came across this curiously carved ivory tobacco-box. It belonged to my father, who told me that he had paid two hundred rupees for it in India. Surely, I thought, I can ei

pecimen of Indian carving, and, as M

iringly for a minute o

it is worth at least twenty pounds. There is a famous c

never hear

e curios. Take or send this to him. He is a wealthy and liberal man, and will give you its f

clock, Barry paid the bill out of his remaining seven sh

tly one by one the employees came out and stood under the awn

osely wrapped up in a serge overcoat, stepped out of the shop and looked eagerly up and down the street. In another

heard her father say, as with the girl on his arm he pushed through the

ld say in soft, trembling tones as his hand closed around her

say, we meet but to part, and to part almost immediately, for he must leave us before ten o'clock to go on board his ship, which

furnished apartments." There was, however, a bright wood fire burning in the grate, and this gave the place an aspect of cheerfulness. The table was laid for supper, and Mr. Mayna

tten to buy the coffee. And to-morrow wi

and umbrella,

t smile, "but he won't be more than ten minutes. He is housekeep

her hands in his, and looked into her pale face. "Oh that I had only known of h

you have never written? I said to you just now that I was glad to see you. It i

rsonal honour is pledged to my captain to be on board to-night, and so I must hurry away at once and it will be impossible for me to

passionate sincerity of his wor

me. If it were not for poor father I should have been glad to die. And now you are going away ag

have unintentionally caused you. There, look up, dear Rose, and listen. I hear your

n I can talk of you to him when you are at sea. How many long,

, dear-not more t

d on the landing, and in

stopped suddenly. "Crying, my child? Poor li

ng. See," and she sprang to him, and threw her

oke out strai

ave loved Rose. And to-night I ask your forgiveness for not having tol

d his daughter's arms and he

ll me before? Surely her happiness is my