CHAPTER VI
HALF-AWAKE, HALF-ASLEEP
Few persons find life enjoyable in a great storm at sea, for thediscomfitures of mind and body are many. The ship's officers and crew arealways concerned about the welfare of the passengers and the safetyof steamer and cargo.
True, Leo, with the instincts of an artist, had stood for hours on thedeck, partially sheltered by a smoke-stack, to study wave motions and theever-changing effects of the ocean. Never before had he known itssublimity. When the sea was wildest and the deck was wave-swept, he inhis safe retreat made sketches of waves and their combinations which hehoped sometime to reproduce on canvas. At other times, conscious of stormdangers in mid-ocean, Leo's conscience troubled him. For a year he hadbeen much in love with a pretty Italian girl, daughter of an official,long in the service of the Italian government at the port of New York.
Rosie Ricci was fifteen years old when she first met Leo. Dressed inwhite, she entered an exhibition of water colors on W. 10th street withher mother one May morning, as Leo had finished hanging a delicate marineview sketched down the Narrows.
Glances only between Leo and Rosie were exchanged, but each formed theresolution sometime, if possible, to know the other. Rosie's father haddied when she was only fourteen years old, and existence for Mrs. Ricciand her little family had been a struggle. For the last year, a happychange had come in their condition. A letter had been received from arich senator by Mrs. Ricci, which was couched in the tenderest language.The senator explained in his letter that at a musicale, given on FifthAvenue, he had heard a Rosie Ricci sing a simple song that revivedmemories of an early day. This fact, coupled with Rosie's charmingsimplicity and vivacity of manner, fixed her name in his mind; later hewas reading the _New York Tribune_, and the name Ricci arrested hisattention.
The item mentioned the death of Raphael Ricci, ex-consul, and thesenator's object in writing was to inquire further as to the facts. Didhe leave a competency? If not, would the family receive such assistanceas would enable the daughter, if Rosie Ricci was her daughter, to obtaina further musical education?
The senator's letter dropped from the mother's hands; she was overcomewith the good news. Rosie picked it up saying, "Mother dear, what is thematter? What terrible news does it contain?"
"Not bad news, child! possibly good news; a letter from a stranger whooffers aid in our distress, a letter from one holding a high position.I wonder what it all means? Has the senator been prompted by the spiritof your anxious father, or is there evil in the communication?"
"Tell me, mother, tell me all about it!" But before the mother couldspeak, Rosie was reading the letter aloud. She threw up her hands indelight and flew into her mother's arms. "How good the Lord is to us!"Rosie exclaimed. She had been eager for a musical education and to winfame on the stage.
In June, by appointment, Mrs. Ricci and daughter met the Senator at theFifth Avenue Hotel. It was arranged that Rosie should have the bestmusical education obtainable in Boston, and further that the senatorshould pay her expenses in Boston and New York, and that the mother'srent should be included in his liberality. At times, the motherquestioned the senator's motives, but he always seemed so kind andfatherly that she spurned the thought as coming from the Evil One.
The senator as he left, put several bills in Mrs. Ricci's hand, saying,"You and Rosie will find need of them for clothes for the daughter andfor other expenses."
Never was a girl happier than Rosie the morning she and her mother leftthe Grand Central Depot for New England. Rarely, if ever, did a girl workharder than Rosie at her studies. Her soul often had burned with ambitionfor fame and for money so that she could assist her mother. The way wasnow open and success was possible. At the sunset hour she often walkedwith a friend among the historic elms on Boston Common and in thebeautiful flower gardens.
Often young men longed for her acquaintance, but they could never get theconsent of her pretty eyes. She was petite, her hair black, her eyes darkbrown, her lips ruby-red, and her nose and chin finely chiselled. She hada cameo-like face and complexion of olive tint that told of the land ofvines and figs in sunny Italy. Her step was elastic, her manner vivaciousand confiding. Her dress was always tidy and stylish. Usually she carrieda roll of music in one hand as she left the conservatory, and lovelyflowers in the other that had been expressed either by the senator orLeo.
On the completion of her course in the conservatory, Leo had pressed hissuit so devotedly that Rosie consented to an engagement without hermother's knowledge. The ring of gold contained a single ruby, and Leo hadhad engraved on the inside of the ring, "Et teneo, et teneor." When Rosiesaw the old Roman motto she said, "I hold, and am held. How appropriate,Leo! Your love for me, devotion to the beautiful, and our bright memoriesof artistic Italy shall bind us together forever.
"But Leo, why do you put the ring on the third finger before marriage?"
Leo answered, "Because I have read somewhere that many centuries ago theEgyptians believed that the third finger was especially warmed by a smallartery that proceeded directly from the heart. The Egyptians alsobelieved that the third finger is the first that a new born babe is ableto move, and the last finger over which the dying lose control."
"Nonsense," replied Rosie, "once the wedding ring, studded with preciousstones, was worn on the forefinger; Christianity moved it to the thirdfinger. Its use was originated in this way: the priest first put it onthe thumb, saying 'In the name of the Father'; on the forefinger, adding,'in the name of the Son;' on the second finger, repeating, 'in the nameof the Holy Ghost;' and on the third finger, ending with 'Amen,' andthere it staid."
Abelard and Heloise were not happier in their unselfish affection thanLeo and Rosie in their love. Colors on Leo's canvas now sought each otherin magic harmony. At single sittings in his studio Leo made Madonnafaces, and glowing landscapes, that evoked words of warm praise from hisfellow artists, who were blind to the secret of Leo's remarkable power.
For a Christmas present Leo brought Rosie a picture of his own of Rosie'sbeautiful hand holding lilies of the valley; and while she thanked him insweetest words, he pinned at her throat a Florentine cameo once worn byhis mother. All these things, and more, came flashing into Leo's mind ashe struggled on the ship's deck to keep his footing in the storm.
A week before the steamer left New York Leo and Rosie had quarreled.Leo's invitation to accompany the Harrises had come to him from Alfonsoonly three days before the "Majestic's" departure, and such was hismomentary ill-humor toward Rosie that he sailed from New York withouteven advising her of his new plan, or saying good-bye. Leo, alone on thesea, often severely rebuked himself that he could have been so unkind tothe woman to whom he had given his heart and his mother's favorite bit ofjewelry.
A thousand times he wished he could ask Rosie's forgiveness, for it wasin a fit of anger that Rosie had snatched the ruby ring off her hand andthe cameo from her throat, and had thrown them into Leo's lap saying,"Take them, Leo, you will easily find another girl to share your familyname and your poverty as an artist while I have need of wealth." Leo hadturned from Rosie's home without the power to reply, he was so taken bysurprise.
Leo was never so happy as when Rosie was present in his studio toencourage him by word or song, but now all was changed.
Sometimes Leo in his secret thoughts feared that Rosie's beauty andcharming manner would command riches, and sometimes he dared to thinkthat possibly his talent and fame might command a handsome dowry. Thenhis mind turned to Lucille. She was taller than Rosie, not so vivacious,but like Rosie enjoyed a happy time. He even ventured at times to saymentally of Lucille that "it is she or none on earth," and then as herecalled the ring given to Rosie, the old love would assert itself and hewould shut his eyes, ashamed of an affection that was false hearted. Itwas fortunate for Leo that he was a good sailor, as it enabled him to domany thoughtful things for the Harrises, and thus show his appreciationof their great kindness to him.
On the third day out from New York, the storm
moderated somewhat and thepassengers at breakfast visibly increased in number, but before the lunchhour was over the fury of the gale returned. The steamer in her coursehad crossed the center of the cyclone where the force of the storm wasdiminished for a short time only. All that afternoon and night the galeincreased in force till it seemed as if volcanic powers under the seawere at work turning the ocean upside down.
Pent up forces in the west were loosed, and Neptune, deity of the ocean,with his three-pronged trident stalked abroad. The bombardment of waveswas terrific, and the twin propellers raced so fiercely that speed wasreduced to a minimum.
In the morning the terrible cyclone had moved to the north, smootherseas were reached by lunch time, and most of the tables were againfilled. Many of those who were making a first voyage also put in theirappearance, and they were subjected to much chaffing from the veteransof ocean travel. Captain Morgan and Doctor Argyle were the recipientsof many complimentary words for their skill.
At dinner Leo and Alfonso mustered full forces, and each side scoredevery point, for both Mrs. Harris and Lucille entered the dining room,and everybody enjoyed the menu after a three days' fast. Captain Morganspoke of the storm as "the late unpleasantness," and hoped his friendswould not desert him again. Mrs. Harris was silent, but Alfonso andLucille promised loyalty for the future, and Leo said, "Captain Morgan,I believe I haven't missed a meal."
"Bravo, Colonna!" the captain replied, "you really seem to have inheritedthe sailing qualities of your great countryman Columbus, and I sincerelyhope that you may render the world equally valuable services."
Lucille added, "I am sure he will, captain; during the gale, he renderedsignal services to suffering humanity."
"To-morrow," continued Captain Morgan, "is the 21st of June, when the dayand night will be of equal length, the sun rising and setting promptly atsix o'clock."
"Why not," said Lucille, "set our watches by the steamer's chronometer,and have the steward call us at 5:30 o'clock and all test the accuracy ofthe almanac?" Mrs. Harris and several others entered heartily into theplan.
The pure sea-air was so fresh and restful that when three bells or 5:30o'clock in the morning was heard, the Harris party were easily awakenedand they hastily prepared to witness at sea the sunrise on June 21st.
Leo and Alfonso were first on deck. Mrs. Harris, Lucille, and the Judge,an acquaintance made on the ship, soon joined them. Their watches agreedthat it was ten minutes to six o 'clock. The decks had been washed andput in order, engines were running at full speed, the eastern sky wasflushed with crimson and golden bands that shot out of the horizon, andfan-like in shape faded up in the zenith. With watches in hand, all eyeswere fixed on a pathway of intensely lighted sea and sky in the east.Suddenly, as the sailor rung out "four bells," or 6 o'clock, Lucilleshouted, "There! See that drop of molten gold floating on the horizon.Captain Morgan was right as to time. See, judge, how the gold glows withheat and light as the globe turns to receive the sun's blessings!"
"Yes," said the judge who now for the first time since the storm becamereally enthusiastic, "another page of the record book is turned, and thegood and bad deeds of humanity will be entered by the recording angel.The mighty sun, around which we revolve at fabulous speed is, in itsrelations to us mortals, the most important material fact in theuniverse. If I ever change my religion I shall become a sun-worshiper.The Turk in his prayers, five times a day, faces the sun."
An early brisk walk on the deck sharpened appetites, and oursun-worshipers were among the first at breakfast. Gradually othersentered, and again the dining room was cheerful with sunny faces. Afterbreakfast the decks were astir with pretty women, children, and gentlemenlifting their hats. The promenade was as gay as on Fifth Avenue. DoctorArgyle gave his arm to Mrs. Harris, Lucille walked between Alfonso andLeo, and doctors of divinity and men of repute in other professions keptfaithful step. Actors and actresses moved as gracefully as before thefootlights. A famous actor carried on his shoulders a tiny girl who hadbits of sky for eyes, a fair face, and fleecy hair that floated in thesea breeze, making a pretty picture.
Business men with fragrant cigars indulged in the latest story or joke.By degrees the promenade disappeared as passengers selected steamerchairs, library, or smoking room, and congenial souls formed interestingand picturesque groups. At the outset of the voyage you wonder at thelack of fine dress, and hastily judge the modest men and women about youto be somewhat commonplace, but after days at sea and many acquaintancesmade, you discover your mistake and learn that your companions arethoroughly cosmopolitan. In fair weather the decks are playgrounds wherechildren at games enliven the scene, and sailors' songs are heard.
When the old clipper ship took from four to six weeks to cross theAtlantic, a weekly paper was printed. On some of the swift liners ofto-day on the fourth day out a paper is issued, when perhaps the steameris "rolling in the Roaring Forties." The sheet is a four-page affair,about six inches wide and nine inches long. It gives a description of theship signed by the Captain; the daily runs of the ship follow, thedistance still to go is stated, and the probable time it will take tomake port; under "General Information" you learn about seasickness, whatyou have not already experienced, the necessity of exercise aboard ship,also much about the handling of luggage in Europe; some of the prose andpoetry is sure to be good, and is contributed by skilled writers amongthe passengers. A column of "Queries" and a few brief stories and jokesbrighten the sheet. The price is fifteen cents, and every copy of "TheOcean Breeze" is highly prized. On the whole, people at sea enjoy mostthe enforced rest, for they escape newspapers, telegrams, creditors, andthe tax-gatherer.
At 11 o'clock on the deck, every pleasant day, a large, well-dressed man,attended by his valet, generously opened a barrel of fresh oysters forthe passengers. This benevolent gentleman proved to be a famous Saratogagambler. In this way he made many acquaintances and friends, and each dayhe increased his winnings at cards and in bets on the vessel's run, tillfinally, not he, but the guileless passengers paid for the oysters.
Gambling was the business of the man who advertised by his oysters; withthe actor, who romped with the pretty child, gambling was a passion. Sointense was this passion with the actor that he would attempt to matchsilver dollars or gold sovereigns with everybody he met when ashore;between acts on the stage he would telegraph his bet to distant cities.Crossing parks or walking down Broadway his palm concealed a coin, readyfor the first possible chance. He would match his coat or his home oreven his bank account. On ship he matched sovereigns only.
Occasionally the "Majestic" passed in sight of some other ship, or"tramp-steamer," and by signal exchanged names and location. Rarely dothe great passenger steamers meet on the Atlantic, as the course outwardis quite to the north to avoid collisions. Half-awake, half-asleep, thedays on shipboard go by as in a dream, and you gladly welcome backrestored health. Perhaps a sweet or strong face wins your interestor heart, as the case may be, and life-long friendships are formed.Confidence thus bestowed often begets the same in others, and you arethankful for the ocean voyage.