Jill, as soon as she got to her room, opened the letter. Of course, it was from Jack. It contained an order for £12 on an Irish Bank, and a very earnest entreaty that she would come to America without delay, and be his wife. It stated that he was now bailiff and manager of a good farm, which his cousin had just bought—that he had saved a little money, and had now a comfortable home, which only wanted Jill to make it delightful. The £12 enclosed were for the expenses of her passage out. Such a letter as this could not be received but with mixed feelings. There was joy in the prospect, but it could not be reached without much present pain. There was a blessed meeting to look forward to, but there was also a sorrowful separation to endure. So it is! Heaven’s beautiful affections are the means of dividing families, as well as of drawing them together. And so it will be, till all are “gathered together into one fold.” And now the hours, as they rolled on, brought near the time of another parting—parting, the lot, sooner or later, of all meeting things in this world below. Many of the villagers went as far as Cork, to see the last of their dear little friend; and when the vessel left the harbour, amidst the tears and blessings of mother, and sister, and friends, several of them (Laurence and his father among the number) clustered on the sea-shore, and watched it, as it glided away with her whom they loved on board. Sail gallantly, proud ship! Waft her gently on, ye winds! Roll, roll ye murmuring waters! Rejoice, ye waves, and smile! for Love, the most beautiful of all things, is now upon the sea! [Illustration] [Illustration: _Adventure with a Shark_] The Two Middies; or, a Fearful Encounter with a Shark. My young readers will recollect, that in my last volume I afforded them some curious particulars regarding the “shark family;” I am now about to relate to them a story“ concerning one, which I know to be true. It was the year, 1835, that the fine Indiaman, the ”Rajah,“ had crossed the line, and stood on her way to Madras. There were, on board of her, two brothers, named Palgrave; one had the baptismal designation of ”Edwin,“ and the other’s name was ”Arthur.“ They were twin brothers, and Arthur was only a few minutes older than Edwin. Both these boys had been brought up together—they had the same nurse, the same tutor, the same education, the same pocket-money. They were the same in appearance, in countenance, in stature, and so like that one was often mistaken for the other. They were, however, somewhat different in character and disposition. Edwin was gentle and retiring, Arthur was bold and resolute. Edwin was fond of books and the pen, and of the pencil. Arthur delighted in riding, fishing, shooting, and boating. Arthur wished to go to sea. Edwin wanted to be a clergyman.