Haste and Waste | Page 7

larger scale
than ever had been known at Woodville. He had been remarkably
fortunate in his financial operations, and was already a wealthy man.
Though he did not retire from active business, he had taken a partner,
which enabled him to spend a part of his time during the summer at his
country house on the lake.
Mr. Grant had gone to Europe a second time, to be absent during the
summer, and Miss Fanny and Fanny Jane had accepted Bertha's
invitation to spend a few weeks at Port Rock. A splendid time had been
promised them by Mrs. Sherwood, who had made extensive
preparations for their visit. The arrangements included a novelty which
offered a very brilliant prospect to the party, and excited the
imagination even of the older ones to the highest pitch.
This novelty was nothing less than a miniature steamboat, which had
already been christened the Woodville, in honor of the home of the
owner's lady. She was a splendid little craft, and as perfect in her
machinery and appointments as any steamer that ever floated. She was
a side-wheel boat, sixty feet in length, by twelve feet beam. Forward
there were a regular wheel-house, a small kitchen, and other rooms
usually found in a steamer. Abaft the wheels there were a saloon and
two staterooms. Of course all these apartments, as well as the cabin
below, were very contracted in their dimensions; but they were fitted
up in the most elegant style.
The Woodville had cost a great deal of money; but her owner expected
to realize a full return for it in the enjoyment she would afford him, his
wife, and their friends. She had been sent up the Hudson, and through
the canal to Whitehall, and thence to Port Henry, where she had arrived
on the day before Lawry Wilford's return to Port Rock.

On board of the little steamer there is an old friend of our readers. He
may be found in the engine-room; and as he rubs up the polished iron
of the machinery, he is thinking of Fanny Jane Grant, with whom he
escaped from the Indians in Minnesota, and whom he expects on board
with Mr. Sherwood's party. The young man, now sixteen years of age,
is the engineer of the Woodville. Though he has been but two years
learning the trade of machinist, he is as thoroughly acquainted with
every part of a marine-engine as though he had spent his lifetime in
studying it.
The engine of the Woodville was built at the works where Ethan French
was learning his trade, and he had been employed in its construction.
As he was a frequent visitor at Woodville, he had petitioned for the
situation he now held. At first, Mr. Sherwood was not willing to trust
him; but Ethan's employers declared that he was a man in everything
but years, and was fully competent to manage the engine, and even to
build one after the designs were made. He had come up from New
York in the steamer. He had seen Mr. Sherwood at Port Henry, on his
arrival, and had been ordered to have the boat in readiness to start on
the following morning, when the family would be passengers.
Mr. Sherwood had already selected Lawry Wilford as the pilot of the
Woodville. He was small in stature, and would look better in the
wheel-house than a full-grown man. He had often met the young pilot,
and had been greatly pleased with his energy and decision. Lawry had
been employed by Miss Fanny several times to row her on the lake; and
he had served her so faithfully that her influence was not wanting in
procuring for him the situation.
Lawry, not yet informed of the honorable and responsible position
which had been awarded to him, walked up to Mr. Sherwood's house.
He had heard Miss Fanny speak of the Woodville, while in the boat
with him, and had listened with delight to her enthusiastic description
of the beautiful craft. He was quite as anxious to see her as any of the
party who were more directly interested in her.
"Can I see Mr. Sherwood?" asked Lawry.

"He has gone away," replied the man.
"Where has he gone?"
"To Port Henry; he went in the carriage, and is coming back in the new
steamboat."
"Has he got a pilot?" continued Lawry anxiously.
"I don't know; he expected you, I believe; but when you didn't come
back, he couldn't wait any longer. I heard him say he could pilot her
himself, and I suppose he is going to do so."
"I'm sorry I didn't see him; I have but just got home," replied Lawry.
He wanted to pilot the beautiful little steamer up from Port Henry. He
wanted to see her;