Harold Overdon, Ashore and Afloat

Chapter I

Many years since, it matters not how far back we go — and in whatever parish — never mind. Suffice it to say that, situate in the far north of this glorious Old England of ours, there was a castle, ancient looking enough even then, although evident attempts had been made to modernize portions of it ; yet was it so covered with old moss and ivy that you would be al most justified in thinking that the structure had sprung from the soil of itself. This castle was surrounded by a moat — pro bably in troublous times a very useful auxiliary to the defences, that is, when filled with water, for when we make mention of it, it was quite dry — and no doubt had passed through many vicissitudes ; however, it was a residence, and like most other residences, if endowed with B HAROLO OVERDON. the power of speech, would have told strange stories of weal and woe, virtue and vice.

The present inhabitants of this old ivied castle were Sir Gilbert and Lady Ruth Gas coigne, with their only child, a daughter aged about thirteen. A stern man that Sir Gilbert, and severe was he with his family ; he ruled them with a rod of iron, and rather prided himself than otherwise on his austerity ; domestic happiness had long been a stranger to them, in fact just for thirteen years ; a girl came into the world instead of a boy, much to the disgust of the expecting father ; and as each year passed without promise, a fresh burden of disagree ables — nay, worse, positive insult — was added to the troubles of the patient and long-suffering mother, until at length the lord and master, so far from attempting to conceal his utter indifference, took infinite pains to impress upon her the fact of their being hateful to him, those two who should have been so dear — the mother and her child.

In his presence he suffered no caresses between them, none of the fond maternal affection to be lavished, none of the sportive gaieties of youth. He made no excuse for love or weakness in the one, nor for the inexperience and folly (if it pleases you) of youth in the other. The expiring embers of affection between the parents was stamped angrily out under his iron heel ; the heart of his ill-treated wife still secretly clung to him with that strange tenacity peculiar to woman's love ; she endured all things, and was kind even towards the chronic disorders implanted so very deeply in the system of Sir Gilbert's personal life; every moment she had to dread the trial of temper, and yet she could manifest habitually the triumph of a noble and happy disposition. Although men are supposed to be the lords of the creation, yet in how few instances do they bear out their proper character !

Now, with Sir Gilbert Gascoigne for a hero we can do nothing ; therefore, as a matter of course, when we have done with him, we'll quietly put him on the shelf, and with pleasure, for we are bound to admit that our pride takes alarm, and on second thoughts, we regret having introduced him at all. Supremacy pertains most assuredly to the mind in more ways than one. A man who can rave like a maniac at the decrees of Providence, loses caste ; it is all very well when worldly matters go wrong to have something or somebody to blame, because men are so confoundedly vain as to imagine that b anything or anybody is to blame rather than they themselves. Surely a man with rank and wealth sufficient and to spare might have managed to glide down the stream, need have had no angular points to come constantly in collision with the world as it revolved ; but yet, in spite of these ad vantages, many are so irascible that the world goes all wrong with them, is angry with them, stands always on the defensive, and recriminates angrily.

Sir Gilbert Gascoigne was at war with God, the world, and all mankind, and therefore his hands were pretty full. Lady Ruth had at one time been very hand some ; she was so still, but her many trials had imparted a certain grave expression to her countenance that Dame Nature had never in tended should be found there. And really when husband and wife were together, any third person suddenly approaching them would have shuddered involuntarily, as a man does who finds himself enveloped with that damp cold fog, the unerring announcement in certain lati tudes of the vicinity of icebergs. Yet she was not by nature cold, far from it, but such a de portment suited best her morose husband. Away from him she showed by her actions and conversation that romance had found lodgment in her disposition, and the excellence of her heart had gained much love for her among her friends and acquaintances, and prompted her to become the friend and advocate of all who were in distress and sorrow.

She had hoped on in spite of unpromising circumstances, until her husband rendered that consummation so devoutly to be wished, impossible, put an end to all by taking an extreme step, destroying all chance for ever. Somebody says, " Galls and women are alike ; they live in hope, false hopes, hopes with out any earthly foundation in nature but their own foolish conceits. Hope — what is hope? Expecting some uncertain thing or other to happen ? Well, and suppose it does not hap pen, what then ? Why, there is a nice little crop of disappointment to digest, that's all. Hope is a slippery gentleman, and has cheated more fools than ever Love did. I don't pity any folks that are cheated by hope, it serves them right. All nature is against hope. We must rely on Providence and on ourselves." She had hoped, but could not hope ever, it was over now.

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. The love that had been the father's now belonged to the child, in addition to her own rightful share forming a rich treasure. Poor little Ruth, she felt her father's cold neglect, it went even to her soul, and rankled there. Girls do somehow or another cling to the father, and boys to the mother.* She, our Ruth, was not as other children are, full of joy and mirth; all her rich young feelings had been nipped in the bud by her father's strange conduct, and she became silent as the grave, moved about like a shadow, and very rarely indulged in a romp or game of play ; but she would gaze at the moon and stars for hours together and wonder whether the life beyond them would be more pleasant than the one she led ; hers had hitherto been uneventful enough, although she was now old enough to notice a great deal that passed, yet she was too young to appropriate troubles to herself, or even share them with her mother.

She herself was never positively ill-treated by her father, yet her little advances were always somewhat roughly repulsed. There was a mighty chasm, a huge vacuum between them ; a large balance of tenderness lay at her banker's for him, but he never drew a cheque, and so the balance was transferred to the mother : she was extra- * An old couplet hath it thus : " My daughter's my daughter all the days of her life, My son is my son till he gets him a wife." vagant, and drew largely from the heart. She, our Ruth, had lived so far without knowing positive grief and sorrow. She was not altogether lonely either in that old castle — there was a neighbourhood, and the Gascoignes had friends. Little Ruth had occa sionally frolicsome companions who could rouse her into mirth, but that was seldom ; but for these she might have grown up with the idea that life to her would be no enjoyment, that she had been brought into the world simply to endure the stings and arrows of outrageous Fortune.

Sir Gilbert, stormy and cloudy as he was at home, presented a smooth, unruffled exterior to the world, was a jolly boon companion over the bottle, and so passed for what he was not. How many of us, if we were only honest with ourselves, must acknowledge his case to be ours. Let us have a look round and see the neigh bours of this Cerberus. I'll venture a pound of sugar against your bottle of rum that we do not find such another among them. The friends par excellence of the ladies at the Castle were the Overdons of Overdon ; they resided within a mile of the Gascoignes, and also belonged to the elite. Mr. Overdon was the opposite of Sir Gilbert in almost every way, and no very vast amount of cor diality passed between them ; he was the des cendant of an impoverished but ancient and highly distinguished family; the estate on which he resided had descended to him, but not so the great festivities and busy scenes of courtly pomp for which the mansion had in oldeu times been celebrated ; yet we cannot say that former splendour had gradually dwindled into present ruin, for the estate was carefully cultivated according to the most approved principles of the times.

The gardens showed that care and at tention were lavished upon them, and the fish ponds were in excellent order. Overdon was a man of reserved, chilly ex terior, but most undoubtedly a gentleman, and one of refined ideas ; devotedly attached to his wife and family, he cared not to look for happiness beyond his gates, yet no benighted traveller was ever turned away. He was hos pitable to a degree himself, but partook not of the hospitality of others. Mrs. Overdon was in every way a fit aud proper companion for such a husband, and so theirs was an abode of peace and love. It is with their son Harold that we shall have most to do, therefore let us have a look at him. Fie was a boy of some fourteen or fifteen years, and appeared especially cut out for that profession which he had long since chosen for himself, — namely, the navy.

His appearance was decidedly prepossessing, not that his face was handsome, but it was good tempered and lighted up by a pair of dark blue eyes ; his form was moulded on a small scale, but almost perfect, the shoulders broad and square, the head well put on and covered with curly hair. There is a great deal in crisp, curly hair. We have particularly noticed that men pos sessed of it are game for anything ; very seldom will you find them cowards. Of course Nig gers are excluded, — we refer to white men. Harold Overdon was not perfect, you know. He was fiery and somewhat self-willed, but take him altogether, his disposition was noble. b3

Chapter II

However grand and stately we may be, and with whatever amount of good advice (that dirt-cheap article) we may be charged, yet nearly all of us must acknowledge that there was a time when, as children, we had a very decidedly warm friendship, — in fact, what at the time appeared a deeply rooted love and affection for some playmate or other of the op posite sex. The busy scenes of life as the world whirls on, the fierce struggle, may have driven away such feelings and remembrances far from us. Very possibly if we could at will call before us the former object of our attachment, we should experience a fearful shock on witnessing the ravages made by time, wdien the grand mother, or probably great-grandmother of a numerous progeny stood before us, in the place of the blooming lassie of our remembrance ; and the blue-eyed, curly-headed boy, trans formed, appeared before us now as the gouty squire, peppery old Indian general, or maimed, blue-ribboned admiral ; yet such are the changes that come over the most fortunate of us, and we are powerless to help ourselves.

Harold and Ruth were desperately in love each with the other ; he was such a brave, manly, and (in her opinion) handsome boy; she was such a pretty, loving little creature, and appeared to cling to him so. Of course he loved her ; how could he help it ? His firm determination was — and as he made no secret of it we need not — to marry her when he grew a big man ; and then how happy they would be together when they could have their own garden and eat fruit all day long. When together, these two were happy. But tbe time came when my friend Harold was to " top his boom," and be off to sea. Even heroes must have a commencement, and pass through many an unpleasant ordeal before they can " bear up" for Westminster Abbey. A most unpleasant one was the parting to begin with, and all the boy's pride was required to gulp down the sobs which would strive so hard to rise, and drive back the tears which appeared so suspiciously near overflowing his eyes.

Luckily there is an end to all things here below, and as Harold found much on the road to amuse him, and allowed his thoughts to run on his future career, these suspicious symptoms passed away, and he resolved to return a great man to claim his bride. Mr. Overdon talked to him cheerfully of the countries he would be likely to see, and the many little things he might bring home with him, which would be so acceptable to his mother ; related anecdotes of great men who had arrived at the pinnacle of fame, and whose names would be handed down in history to future generations for swelling the list of triumphs of our navy; and so, as each night found them many miles nearer to their destination than the preceding one, the boy began to look eagerly forward to their arrival. Although doing all in his power to amuse his son and keep up his spirits, yet the father's were far below par ; he did not at all like the idea of Harold's leaving him, he would much rather have kept him at home, but then it was necessary that the lad should do something for himself, now that the family were so impo verished.

Mr. Overdon's opinion of poverty must go for nothing ; he still possessed what any rea sonable person would consider a handsome property ; but then it was not what it had been in times past, when kings and princes had condescended to be hospitably entertained by his ancestors. As the coach which conveyed the travellers entered the precincts of the modern Babylon, Harold considered himself in duty bound to be astonished at the immense ranges of buildings which caught his eye, and the dense mass of bustling people who thronged the thorough fares ; and by the same token he was somewhat disgusted when, arrived at its destination, the coach turned into the yard of the ' Boar's Head,' the coachman tossed his ribands over the backs of his horses, uncovered his legs from a huge mass of horsecloth, and prepared to vacate his elevated position.

On the other hand his father was delighted at having so far got through what he considered a very disagreeable business : he had looked forward to this journey with disgust; he hated the bustle and apparent confusion of London streets; many years had passed since he last elbowed his way through them ; then, to be sure, he had been a young man, and like most young men who are worth anything, had seen a very great deal that does not catch the eye without being sought. Now that he was there once again, he made up his mind to refresh his memory on many little points before returning, and show Harold a little of life, so that now he was about to enter the world on his own account, his leading strings being severed, the boy might have the advantage of making acquaintance with it under such happy auspices as the skilful, paternal eye to watch for rocks and shoals, and the wary, paternal pilot to steer the newly-launched barque in safety through straits where the navigation might be dangerous and intricate.

The first thing, however, to be considered after a journey, is the inner man, which requires fortifying frequently, and never more so than on occasions like the present, when the process of being whirled through the bracing air on the top of a crack four or six-horse coach has been undergone for any length of time. There was a certain something about Mr. Overdon that greatly influenced mine host of the Blue Boar in his reception of that im portant personage, and the manner in which he was bowed to the best accommodation the house would afford, escorted by a whole regi ment of menials, was taken by the Squire in such a manner as to show at once that it was the sort of thing he had been accustomed to all his life, and the quiet dignity of the son showed him to be a '; chip of the old block."

The cuisine having received ample justice, Mr. Overdon and his son very shortly sought their couches, and in the arms of Morpheus recruited their strength preparatory to the fatigues of the approaching day. Harold Overdon was beyond the age at which aspiring heroes usually entered the service ; however, with plenty of interest it is quite start ling to see how difficulties melt away like snow beneath the rays of the sun; and what would prove an immovable obstruction in the path of the friendless lad, proves rather an advan tage than otherwise to him who has powerful influence at his back, because there has been better opportunity for education. Sir Jeremy Diddler happened at this time to be the man in power, and between Squire Overdon and Sir Jeremy there happened to be the tie of con sanguinity.

What wonder, then, that all was as it should be. The Overdons called on this great man, who was not particular in his inquiries as to age, but extremely anxious to serve his kinsman, and so no disagreeable questions were asked. Sir Jeremy blandly inquired if Harold could repeat the Lord's Prayer. Now, as Harold's mother happened to have taught him that, of course the reply was in the affirmative. " You of course know the Ten Command ments ?" Mr. Overdon here remarked that Sir Jeremy would find the boy perfectly au fait at them. " Ah," said the great man, " then I need ask no further questions, as of course on such an important point you would not mislead me." Mr. Overdon placed his hand on his heart (or somewhere about the latitude and longitude that that important part of the human frame is supposed to be situate) and bowed solemnly.

" One moment," said Diddler, evidently struck with a bright idea; "figures are a great point in these examinations, and the rules of the service require a perfect acquaintance with them. Now, Harold, look at me and take time to reply to this question, for it is an im portant one, and more than you may fancy depends upon it : — If a herring-and-a-half cost three-halfpence, how much would three cost ?" And the facetious old gentleman chuckled quietly, pulled up his stock and looked grand. Harold took the full time allowed and then gave his answer, which appeared satisfactory ; for Sir Jeremy Diddler immediately shook hands with him, and thus delivered himself: " Now, my dear boy, you have passed your examination with great credit to yourself, and (after consulting with my colleagues on this important matter) very shortly I hope to send you your appointment to some ship as midshipman ; always remember that you may look forward to the time when you will be in com mand of one of his Majesty's finest ships, and behave yourself accordingly."

The process of leave-taking was undergone ; the great man grumbled out something about " honour of company to dinner," which we did not catch, and Mr. Overdon and his son were once more gazing on the restless crowd, — Harold, as jolly as a sandboy (for hadn't he passed his examination?) ; his father felt rather down in the mouth, for now that he had been and gone and done it, of course it was too late to try and bias the lad ; yet the pill was bitter. Suddenly a bright idea struck him — the boy must see the sights, and among them were the hospitals ; probably the scenes to be witnessed in one of these temples of humanity would sicken him, especially if cases were judiciously applied. Accordingly off they started at once, the father amusing his son by the way very much in the following strain : "The profession you have chosen, my dear Harold, is undoubtedly a most honourable one, but at the same time in it you will have to pass through many scenes which will harrow your soul.

Now, as you cannot too soon become accustomed to scenes of butchery and blood, I have selected an hospital as a fit and pro per place for us to finish the morning in. Hos pitals differ from your future homes, inasmuch as they certainly are magnificent buildings, and are built expressly for purposes of humanity, and within them everything is to be found that can possibly be conducive to help the patient in his time of trial and danger. Every care is taken; liberality prevails; cleanliness is strictly enforced; science called in without stint; all that can be thought of is pressed into the ser vice and employed in alleviating suffering." And so he kept on pointing out every little thing as they passed through the different wards ; all was admirable, and nobody could have found fault with anything.

Harold was much pleased, the extent of the building alone much astonished him; his treat was in store, — they came to the dissecting room, and then it was that he first felt uncomfortable at the thought which na turally would rise respecting the profession he had chosen, and the very possible consequence to himself in case of action. First, the agony of the wound, then all the horrors attending amputation of a limb, not so well managed then as now. He turned pale and sickened at the ideas which rushed through his mind ; the watchful father came to the conclusion that this bright idea was all a mistake, and so they hurriedly withdrew, and once more sought the open air. They walked about and amused themselves until dinner-time, then, after having partaken of some of the good things of this life, off they started for the Opera House.

" This," thought Overdon, " will be a treat for Harold, and for me at the same time ;" and so it was. The bright array of lights, the colossal di mensions of the building, the immense sweep of boxes with their load of beauty, the fairest women in the world, all served to charm ; then came the ballet with its seducing figurantes, seducing only at a distance, — for after all what a resemblance is there to the painted sepulchre. Alas, that it should be so ! Painting, lacing, screwing into shape is destructive to a degree, and a near view most invariably destroys the charm. The boy, though, was delighted ; sylphs and fairies floated through his brain until he became quite excited, clapped his hands and shouted like one bereft. Poor little Ruth, egad ! she was put on the shelf at once ; so much for boy's love.

Censor was beside him though, with a heart subdued and slow, to curb the hot and restless ; age at times is a fit com panion for youth. When the entertainment was almost con cluded, the father rose, took charge of his boy and led him round to the place of exit for the professionals; then Harold had his sultanas pointed out to him, that quickly annihilated romance ; there he saw shrunken cheeks, in flamed eyes, the skin coarse, the emaciated forms clothed in rags, and the feet slipshod, in lieu of the spangled dress and sandalled fairy slipper ; all was changed now. Romance was taken out of him with a vengeance, when he was made to understand that these poor miserable wretches and the splendid figurantes were one and the same ; he had almost fancied them born princesses, raised in the lap of luxury, blowing off steam as it were, capering about in the exuberance of spirits.

Next morning, while they were at breakfast the waiter appeared, bearing a portentous looking envelope, containing the wished-for appointment to the ' Brilliant,' sloop-of-war at Portsmouth, ready for sea and waiting orders ; there was also an intimation that Harold had better join with all convenient speed. No time was to be lost in procuring an outfit for the young officer. Mr. Overdon had decided that he should start quite new from stem to stern, — in fact, bend a new suit of sails' altogether. Away they posted to a first-class fashionable establishment, recommended by Sir Jeremy Diddler, and there purchases were made to a vast extent. While deeply employed in the inspection of different articles, in swaggered a rather seedy-looking, middle-aged man in plain clothes, and commenced by taking rather a particular interest in what was going for ward.

" Handkerchiefs !" said he suddenly, as Mr. Overdon was overhauling some with a view to purchasing, " we don't use such things in the service until we become oldsters ; nothing comes up to the forefinger and thumb." The old Squire was rather astonished, but took no notice, thinking possibly that the person might he labouring under the influence of strong drink ; accordingly he proceeded with his business until he came to socks, and then again he was interrupted by the stranger. " Why, you must be out of your senses, my good man," said he, "if you are going to supply this youngster with such things ; nobody but the captain wears socks." " Pray, sir, may I inquire if you are addressing your conversation to me?" " Well, yes, rather, I should say ; considering that there's only Cabbage, the youngster, and you in the shop, my remarks apply to you, I think."

This was said with an air of consummate im pudence, and the Squire felt himself gradually wax warm ; so he said, very quietly : " If I suffer you to remain in the shop whilst I transact my business, you must remain silent ; if, on i.he contrary, you indulge yourself by wag ging your tongue to my annoyance, I shall be under the painful necessity of turning you out ; as you are the only person in the shop besides Cabbage (as you facetiously style Mr. Schneider) and my son, why my remarks apply rather un mistakably to you, I am inclined to think." "And rather cool they are too, considering that this happens to be my governor's place, and the party attending upon you happens to be my revered parent." " Indeed I was not aware of that, Mr. Schneider, otherwise possibly I might have taken other measures with your son," said Overdon, turning round to the respectable, venerable -looking old fellow.

" Oh, pray don't apologize, sir," said the tailor, who was evidently much disconcerted at the appearance of his hopeful ; " Charles was very wrong to take such an unwarrantable liberty." " Mind what you say, governor," broke in the affectionate son ; " firsT; lieutenants of sloops of-war cannot be taxed in that way. How ever, ta, ta, I'll look in again shortly, because I want to see you most particular." And out he went, slamming the door behind him, leaving our friends with his father to proceed unmolested with their purchases. " First lieutenants of sloops-of-war," thought Overdon. " By George, what am I doing with Harold, if this animal should be what would by implication appear he really is ? Bah ! such a thing cannot be possible, a tailor's son, too ; very respectable men in their way, very much so, but, bless me, 'twouldn't do at all ; so insufferably vulgar, — forefinger and thumb.

What fearful atrocity could he possibly hint at ? Socks not worn ? that must really be a mistake. I'll ask Diddler; besides, I could see the fellow's discoloured hose myself; he wears them at all events, and does not profess to be a captain."

Chapter III

We shall now join father and son on the road to Portsmouth, the latter attired in his uni form, but not quite so proud of it as he might have been had he not seen First-Lieutenant Schneider, yet in very fair spirits considering, and constantly amused by the quaint remarks of some seamen who were returning from leave rather lighter in purse than when they had set out. "What d'ye think, Bill," said one, " baccy don't agree with the filigree inside of a watch nohow. Why, now, I took this 'ere ticker to a man as understood that sort of thing, and blow me if he didn't say, ' Why, this ticker's full of to baccy!' ' Knows that as well as you can tell me,' says I. ' AVell, then, do you know that you've pretty near spoilt'en ?' says he. ' No,' says I. ' I'll put it to rights for thirty shil lings, not a farthing less,' says he. ' Go ahead with it then, old Grampus,' says I ; and sure enough he goes well enough now, that is, wheu Sal winds 'en up.