The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-05-20
THE PARTING.
From Recollec,ions OF Eventful Life" by
Soldier"


Soldier"
We had been about three months in the Island
Of the Jersey, when he order came for our en,-
barkation for Portugal but only six women to
every hundred men were allowed to accompany
u.s. AS there were however, great many more
than that number, it was ordered that they should
draw lots, to see who should remain. The women
of the company to which belonged, were as
sembled in the pay sergeant's room. for that pur-
pose. The men of the company had gathered
around them to see the result, with various de-
grees ofinterest depicted in their countenances-
The propor,ionste number of tickets were made,
with to GO or 'not TO co. written on them.
They were then placed in q hat, and the women
were called by their seniority; to draw their tick
cts. l looked round HE before they began 1t
WAS an interesting scene. The sergeant stood in
the middle with the hat in his hand the women
around him, with their hearts pslpitating, and
anxiety and suspense in every countenance Here
and there you would SEQ the head of married
man pushed forward from amongst The crowd in
the attitude of intense anxiety and attention.
The first woman called was the sergesnt's wife
she drew mot to go.'-lt seemed to give little
concern to any one but herself and her husband.
The next was corporal's wite--she drew to co.
This was received by all with nearly as much a.
pathy as the tirst--She WAS little beloved either.
The next was All old hand, most outrageous
virago, who thought nothing of giving her hus-
band knock down, when he offended her, and
who used to make great disturbance about the
fire in the cooking way. Every one uttered
their wishes audibiy that she would lose : and her
husband, if we could judge from his countenance
seemed 10 wish SO too. She boldly plunged her
hand into the hat and drew out ticket on open
ing it, she held it up triumphan'ly, and displayed
to GO " Old Meg will 60 yei, said she, and
live 10 scad more of you about the fire side.'
A general murmur Of Disappointment ran through
H. A.. 10, oxlI IrSu
own said one of them.
| The neat in turn was the wife of young man,
who was much respected in the company for his
| steadiness and good behaviour. She was remark
able for her affection for her husband, and below
ed by the whole company for her modest and OBJ
liging disposition. She advanced with a palpit-
4ing heart and trembling hand, to decide On
| Qwhat was to her l believe) her future happi.
ness or misery. Every one prayed for her sue
cess-Trembling between fear and hope, sho
drew out one of the tickets, and attempted to
open it; but her hand shook so she could not do
Ii.-Shc handed it TO one OF the men to open.
When he opened it, his coun'enance fell, and he.
hestated to say what it was she cried TO him
in tone of,agony, Tell me, for Gods sake,
what it is!' Mot to co. said he in compassion
ate tore of voice. ooh God, help ME o Sandy!'
she exclaimed, and sunk Iifcless into the arms us
her husband who had sprung forward TO her a.
sistanbe, and in whose coun'enance was now de!
! pcts %Nvariety OF wretchedness. llie drawing
was iiMseuped, and she was carrled.by her hus.
band to h;s birth, where he hung over her in
franS,agony. BY the assistance OF those around
! her she, was soon recovered from her swoon but
shA awoke only TO a sense OF her misery. The
first thing she did WAS to lonk round for her hus-
fband when she perceived him, she seized his
hand and held it, as if she afraid that he was
going to leave her. 30 Sandy, y"u'il not leave
me and your poor babe, will your The poo
fellow looked in her face, with look of agony
and despair.
| The scene drew tears from every eye in the
room, with the exception OF the terna'gant whom,
| have already mentioned, who said, What are
ye a maxim such a wzrk about Let the babis
get her greet out! suppose she thinks there's
naebody ever parted with the men but her, wi
her fantn' and her airs, and her wsrk"
The drawing was again commenceh and various
were the expressions OF feeling. evinccd by those
concerned. The Irish women in particular were
loud in their grief. It always sPpeared to Me
that the irish eltler feel mass ac.t.ly tbaa t6e