Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he
had won against every obstacle placed in his path.
The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services
rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery
of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had
cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.
It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his
class.
Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his
gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her
teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his
career as a cadet.
Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and
mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training
and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in
sports as well as in the study hall.
He possessed a soul too proud to fail after what the Honorable
Secretary of the Navy had done for him, and the encouragement given him
by Commodore Lucien.
To that officer he had written, returning the money he had paid for
his “outfit,” and received a kind, encouraging letter in return.
Though confident that the commandant, and other officers of the
academy, were his firm friends, he had been most cautious never to
abuse that friendship.
He had fought his way unaided, and he believed that he had won the
respect and friendship of his comrades, or most of them, against every
slur cast upon him, every innuendo, every prophecy of failure.
Warmly came the congratulations of the cadets upon his success, and
going to his room with a happy heart, he found there Bemis Perry, who
said warmly as he entered:
“Old man, you knocked Clemmons clean over the ropes, and the Lord bless
you for it. I just heard him say that next year would tell a different
story, so you know what is before you. He is a bad man on even terms.”
“Yes, he’s a dangerous rival, I admit; but being forewarned is
forearmed. Perry and I thank you for the hint. Clemmons did splendidly,
and I congratulate you upon your standing number three--make it number
two next time, for I intend to be number one.”
“Well, Merrill, that is the first boast I ever heard from your lips;
but I’ll keep it dark and book it for future reference.”
“Do so,” said Mark with a laugh.
“Ah! I nearly forgot to tell you that I receipted for three express
packages for you and put them in your wardrobe.”
“Three express packages for me?” asked Mark, with surprise.
“Yes, you will find them here,” and Bemis Perry opened the wardrobe.
One was a box, a foot square, and marked:
“VALUABLE.
“CADET MIDSHIPMAN MARK MERRILL.”
The second was a small package also, bearing a value mark, while the
third was a money envelope addressed in a graceful feminine hand which
caused Mark to exclaim:
“This is from my dear, good mother.”
He broke the seal, and within found a letter and one hundred dollars.
The letter he hastily read. It was as follows:
“CLIFF CASTLE, Thursday.
“MY OWN DEAR SON: I have had you in my mind ever since your last
letter informing me of your triumphs in the sports allowed at the
academy, and your determination to win the first honors of your
class, though, as you state, young Clemmons, of B----, may be a
dangerous rival.
“I fear that you will study too hard and make yourself ill, for well
I know your determined nature to stop at no obstacle. My anxiety is
such that I wish you to telegraph me of your health the moment you
receive this, for I express my letter from B----, and have arranged
to have your message sent to me as soon as it arrives. I shall be in
suspense until I hear from you. I send herewith one hundred dollars,
knowing that you will have use for money, now that your first year is
about ending, and I can readily spare it, as your venture with your
schooner has turned out most substantially, as I hinted in a former
letter.
“Captain Crane is as honest as the day is long, and has paid me from
the earnings of the schooner during the past year twelve hundred
dollars as my share, and as the expenses of Peggy and myself are so
modest, one-third the sum supplies our wants. Then, too, I have not
had to touch the amount in bank, which you sent to me from the cruise
to Norfolk, so, you see you can afford to use the money I send you.
I have subscribed for a New York daily and anxiously read in it
all naval news, so you see you are ever in my mind, my dear son. I
suppose you will go upon a cruise for the summer, and I hope it will
greatly benefit you after your year of hard study, also giving you a
chance to see something of the world.
“Next year I shall try and pay you a visit. My health is excellent
and Peggy is positively getting fat. Captain Crane and his boys
always ask about you. I had no idea how many warm friends you had
in B---- until I came here to-day. I am writing this letter at the
hotel, and Miss Virgene, who is a lovely girl, asks me to send her
best wishes and regards.”
There was a little more about home affairs and then Mark sprang to his
feet.
“Perry, I must go and telegraph to my mother, as she fears I am ill, so
open those other two packages for me, please.”
Then Mark hastened out of the room, obtained leave, and sent the
following dispatch:
“Letter received with money. Many thanks for your kindness. Am in
perfect health. Stood Number One in my class. Regards to Peggy. With
love.
“MARK.”