who it was that held such possession of this beautiful girl's affections
was now excited to the highest pitch.




CHAPTER XVIII.

ROUNDING CAPE HORN.


Mr. Gusher, with his pride wounded, and a heavy heart, took leave of the
Chapmans early on the following morning, and crossed the ferry on his
way back to New York. The black bucket containing the capital stock of
the great Kidd Discovery Company, in which his fancy pictured a dozen or
more fortunes, and which he bore with him, afforded no relief for his
disappointment. It might be the means of his owning a fine house, riding
in his own carriage, and being considered a rich man by society. But,
after all, riches only embodied the hard features of dollars and cents.
Who could find romance in the pursuit of dollars and cents? he thought.
You could carry fame into the grave with you. Dollars and cents might
buy you a fine coffin, and bring rich friends to your funeral; but they
left you at the tomb door.

Had Mr. Gusher gone back to New York in the belief that he had made an
impression on the affections of that pretty, simple-hearted country
girl, Mattie Chapman, what a happy man he would have been. He resolved,
however, not to be vanquished in this way--not to give it up--but to
continue his attentions, and if possible gain a victory over her
affections.