Cedric saw, or tho’t he saw, a shorter Way to competence than any of the Kindly offers of a place which, without His asking, came to him; a great law firm Wanted him; a professorship in that Same college he could have; in the counting House and busy marts of commerce there were Many op’nings for one as he so well Endowed and popular. He declined them All; and yet so gracefully, with thanks, that They were urged upon him all the more; but He had fixed his mind on going back, see Lola on his way, then hasten on to Carry out his plans; for each hour improved Would bring them nearer to their wedding day. On the morn of his departure, a throng Of gay young friends came, bearing tokens of Their friendship, souvenirs of college days, And bidding him God-speed upon his way. He keenly felt the sting of parting with His friends; but when he came to say good-bye To Homer, that was hardest of it all. When Dora gave the parting hand, and in Her large blue eyes he saw the gathering Tears, that tell-tale look of love she fain would Hide; that yearning look of hopeless love Like arrow pierced his soul with deep regret, And haunted him thro’ all the coming years. THE VOYAGE. With varying winds the good ship sailed thro’ Summer sea. At times translucent clouds were Flung across its way like twilight mists, and Then anon the sun burst forth. With lowering Winds and listless sail they drifted dreamily Beneath the turquoise skies. When at night the Mellow moonlight made its path across the Waves, Cedric paced the deck impatiently; And in his restless dreams he saw the face And form of Lola; felt her soft breath on His cheek, her arms entwined about his neck In heavenly bliss. At some port discharging Freightage, the ship would often linger for A day, and those on board would wander thro’ The town. Once they saw a vessel that plied Between that southern coast and Africa Unload its cargo--human souls, who had Been stolen from their home and brought to this Free country to be sold to servitude. The buyers, richly dressed and bedecked with Diamonds, stood like drovers waiting at the Cattle pens to buy. One gentleman with Pistol at his belt, true type of southern Cavalier, took a mother from her child; Cedric pled with him to buy the baby Too. He was answered by an insult, and Derided for his pity for “the brat.” Unmindful of the insult to himself, He persevered and gained consent to buy The child and place it in its mother’s arms.