Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-11


ken heart to the grave.
While things remained in this situation
at home, our young sailor was directing
his course across the wild billows Of tSe
deep, with a mind as troubled as the
waves that surrounded him. But one ray
of hope still remained, which served to
light his bewildered senses. He looked
forward to the day when he would again
land on his native shore, and in the ma
turity Of manhood, seek his deserted
Ophelia. The time had now arrived,
when they were to set sail for America,
but on their passage homcward, ma
lgnant disorder prevailed among the
crew of the ship; in this new trial Edwin
did not escape. A sickness hung upon
him, until their arrival at an American
port, when he was conveyed to a hospit-
al, where under the care Of skilful at
tendants, he soon recovered, and await
cd the day when he was to depart for
home A few days before the appointed
time, as he was walking the room, he
thought he heard the name of Miss Free
man pronounced, by one Of the attend
ants. A sudden coldncss shot through
his blood, and he rushed from his apart
ment to ascertain the truth of his roman
tic con ecture-but it was not ima9in
tion-it was real.-The name again
sounded in his ears-'Miss Freeman,
exclaimed he speals-tell mo-is she
here"-His voice fallcrcd, and he sunk
insensibe to the floor.
1t appeared that few months before,
wandering maniac had been taken up,
and conveyed to this hospital; but no
traces Of her family could be discovered,
and all the information which had been
obtained, was that her pocket-handker-
chief was marked 0. Freeman.
Reader, if you have heart, you will
feel for the suffering Of the torlorn and
disconsolate youth, on learning that this
was indeed his Ophela.
Upon the recovery of Edwin he bog
ged to be conducted to the apartment
where lay the now dying Ophelia-on
his entering, she turned her heavy eyes
towards him, and uttered faint groan.
He approached and took her thin hand,
which hung motionless on the pillow,
gazed for moment upon her dcathlike
features, aud then burst into flood of
tears.
'Speak to me Orhclia, said he, do
you know me''
Her eye again Frightened, and she
endeavoured to raise herself, bat her
strength was too far gone
EI,v;n e,;I (yo,, b,v cp,ne
in time to SEQ me die--now shah 60 in
peace. Where is my mother'-have you
seen her? Here-givo her this'-reach-
ing ou. her hand on which rested ring
and with firm voice exclaimed, ED
WIN, we must now seporate lorever-l
feel that | am dying-Oh, remember me
farewell
These were her last words. She sunk
into he arms of death, like an infant into
a quiet sleep. Edwin still held her hand,
and for the last time kissed her beaute-
Gus lips; they were now cold and pale.
He rushed from the scene of death, but
his senses were gone forever. They bore
him to his room, where in few hours
he was found breathless corpse! A
scrap of paper was pinned to the table
with a bloody knife, on which was writ
ten directions for conveying their re-
mains to his native place. His last re-
quest was complied with, and ho lies bur-
led by the side of his beloved Ophelia
A small white stone now marks the spot
where rest in peace these two victims Of
disappointed love.