e her old friend General Smith again, for between the
two existed a hearty affection, and more than glad to see Percival.
That young gentleman's joy at being released from the thralldom of
school, coupled with the exhilaration of seeing his friends, and the
prospect of a speedy reunion with his mother and Blanche, appeared to
well-nigh craze him. It certainly required unusual vents for its
exuberance--such as standing on his head in the elevator, promenading
the halls on his hands, and turning "cart-wheels" down the passages,
accomplishments acquired with labor and pain from his colored confreres
in the South.

It is an interesting thing to await, on the wharf of a large city, the
incoming of a great steamer. The feeling of expectation in the air is
exhilarating, the bustle, hurry and excitement are contagious;
involuntarily one straightens up, and grows alert, every sense on the
_qui vive_, eyes observant, intelligence active, memory garnering
impressions. Note the variety of expression in the faces of the
waiting crowd--the eager longing, the restless expectation of some; the
listless inactivity, indifference, or idle curiosity of others. Stand
aside, if you have no business here, no personal interest in the event
about to happen, and watch your fellow-men for your own amusement and
profit. Many a glimpse of domestic history, many a peep into complex
human nature will be vouchsafed you, and if the gift of fancy be yours,
you can piece out many a story. See; the throbbing monster has reached
her resting place, her fires may subside, her heart may cease its
regular pulsations, her machinery may lapse into well-earned rest,
given over to polishing and oil and flannel rags. The bridge is down,
the waiting crowds rush together, the wharf crowd merging into the deck
crowd, and both pouring landward again in an eager flood. There are
embraces, kisses, congratulations, tears, a continuous stream of
questions and reply, and a never-ending reference to luggage.

There they stand, a little group apart, close beside the railing, with
hands outstretched and eyes alight; and amid the bustle and confusion,
the embraces and hand-clasping, the collection of hand-traps, and
inquiries about checks, no one had time to notice that, at sight of
each other, two faces paled, or that two hands as they met were cold
and tremulous.

In a marvelously short time after landing, the party were packed into
carriages, and whirled away to t