Great changes had taken place in the Sailors' Home at Wreckumoft since
Billy Gaff last saw it. A new wing had been added to it, and the
original building had been altered and repaired, while every convenience
in the way of ventilating and heating had been introduced, so that the
sailors who frequented this admirable Home found themselves surrounded
by comforts and luxuries such as, in former days, they had never dreamed
of.
Fortunately for this valuable institution, Sir Richard Doles, Bart, had
not been made a director, consequently the business of the Home was not
impeded.
Fortunately, also, the secretary who had been recently appointed to the
Home was a man of ability and energy, being none other than our friend
Kenneth Stuart.
That incorrigible young man had ventured one day to say to his father
that he could not make up his mind to give up the "portionless girl,"
Lizzie Gordon; that he considered her anything but portionless, seeing
that she possessed an earnest, loving, Christian heart, and a wise
thoughtful mind; qualities which wealth could not purchase, and compared
with which a fortune was not worth a straw.
Mr Stuart, senior, thereupon dismissed Mr Stuart, junior, from his
presence for ever, and told him to go and beg his bread where he chose!
Curiously enough, Mr Stuart, senior, happened to dine that day with
Colonel Crusty at the club where the latter put up when in town, and the
valiant colonel told him that he had that morning dismissed his daughter
from his presence for ever, she having returned to the parental home as
Mrs Bowels. The two, therefore, felt a peculiar sort of sympathy,
being, as it were, in the same boat, and cracked an additional bottle of
claret on the strength of the coincidence. When they had finished the
extra bottle, they ordered another, and became exceedingly jocose,
insomuch that one vowed he would leave his fortune to the Church, but
the other preferred to leave his to a Lunatic Asylum.
On receiving his dismissal, Kenneth left his father's house with words
of regret and good-will on his lips, and then went to tell Lizzie, and
seek his fortune.
He had not to seek long or far. Being a director of the Sailors' Home,
I chanced to be in search of a secretary. A better man than Kenneth
could not be found, so I proposed him, and he was at once appointed.
The salary being a good one, he was enabled to retain Dan Horsey and
Bucephalus. He also obtained permission to remove Emmie to his house,
having told his father who the child was, and having been told in return
that he, (the father), had become aware of the fact long ago, and that
he was welcome to her! Kenneth then set himself earnestly to work to
promote the interests of the Sailors' Home, and to prepare his house for
the reception of Lizzie, who had agreed to marry him whenever he felt
himself in a position to ask her.
Lizzie was a peculiar girl. She had, indeed, permitted Kenneth to visit
her as a lover; but she resolutely refused to accept him as long as his
father continued adverse to the union. The moment, however, that she
heard of his being cast off and disinherited, she agreed, with tears in
her eyes, to marry him whenever he pleased.
But to return from this digression: the new secretary of the Sailors'
Home of Wreckumoft became the guardian spirit of the place. He advised
all the arrangements which the Board made. He drew up all the rules
that the Board fixed.
An "Address" which he issued to officers and seamen frequenting the port
of Wreckumoft, wound up with the following words:
"The Directors of the Sailors' Home are anxious that seamen should
clearly understand that the institution was designed for their sole
benefit, and established with the view of protecting them from the
systematic extortion of crimps and other snares, to which their
circumstances and calling render them peculiarly liable; and, above all,
to promote their moral elevation, social improvement, and religious
instruction. The rules by which the institution is governed are, as far
as practicable, adapted to meet the habits of all who participate in its
benefits, and to further their best interests. It is conducted on
principles of order, comfort, and liberality; and no restraint is
exercised beyond that which common prudence and mutual interest require.
In the `Home' thus provided; which embraces security, freedom of
action, and social enjoyment, the Directors desire to create and sustain
mutual sympathy, trust, and good-will, and to employ those agencies
which tend most to mature habits of frugality, self-respect, and the
love of God."
Immediately after the appearance of this address, seamen flocked to the
"Home" for lodgings, and those who did so found the place so uncommonly
pleasant that they brought their messmates, so that for months
afterwards not only was every bed taken, but the very stairs and
landings of the building were occupied by men who preferred to sleep
there, and enjoy the advantages of the Institution, rather than go back
to the dens which they had frequented in former days.
On the night when Billy went to the Home it was very full, and he
stumbled over more than one recumbent seaman on the landings before he
reached the hall, where, late though it was, a number of men were
playing chess, draughts, and bagatelle, or reading books and papers.
Here he found Haco Barepoles, as rugged as ever, seated by the fire and
deeply engaged in a copy of the "Pilgrim's Progress."
"Wonderful book; wonderful book!" exclaimed Haco, laying the volume on
the table and scratching his head, as if to stir up the brain inside.
Just then Billy came up.
"Hallo, Haco!"
"Hallo, stranger! You've the advantage of me, lad, for I don't know
ye."
"Yes, ye do."
"Eh! do I? Let me see."
Here the mad skipper scrutinised the lad's face earnestly.
"Well, I _have_ seen ye afore now, but you've 'scaped from me,
youngster."
"I'm Billy, _alias_ the Bu'ster, _alias_ the Cork, _alias_ Gaff--"
"What, Billy Gaff? Dead and come alive again!" cried Haco, springing up
and seizing the youngster's hand.
Having wrung Billy's arm almost off his shoulder, Haco took him up to
his berth, where he made him sit down on the bed and recount all his and
his father's adventures from beginning to end.
When Billy had concluded the narrative, which of course he gave only in
brief outline, Haco said--
"Now, lad, you and I shall go have a pipe outside, and then we'll turn
in."
"Very good; but I have not yet asked you about your daughter Susan. Is
she still with Captain Bingley?"
"Ay, still with him, and well," replied Haco, with a look that did not
convey the idea of satisfaction.
"Not goin' to get married?" inquired Billy with caution.