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to last through the usual “New-f'nland spell.” How she would endure the weary time she hardly knew, for the boys had been with her formerly; but she nerved herself for the trial.
The ship was laden with boots and shoes, ready-made clothing, fishing-tackle, butter, cheese, cordage, aail-cloth, and many other commodities; and was to bring back oil, furs, skins, fish, cranberries, and what else came to hand. But much trading to other ports was to be undertaken between the voyages out and homeward, and thereby much money made,
III
The brig sailed on a Monday morning in spring; but Joanna did not witness its departure. She could not bear the sight that she had been the means of bringing about. Knowing this, her husband told her overnight that they were to sail some time before noon next day; hence when, awakening at five the next morning, she heard them bustling about downstairs, ahe did not hasten to descend, but lay trying to nerve herself for the parting, imagining they would leave about nine, as her husband had done on his previous voyage. When she did descend she beheld words chalked upon the sloping face of the bureau; but no husband or sons, In the hastily-scrawled lines Shadrach said they had gone off thus not to pain her by a leave-taking; and the sons had chalked under his words: “ Good-bye, mother.”
She rushed to the quay and looked down the harbor towards the blue rim of the sea, but she could only seo the masts and bulging sails of the Joanna ; no human figures. “’Tis I have sent them!” she said,