Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-05-31

nance OF man who had braved, yet feared
some shock. His back was turned to the
quarter from which we came, and in that
position he addressed to me calmly some in.
different observations. While the CONVEX.
satlon went on, he cast frequent and hurri.
ed glances to the south and east, till his
eyes had swept the horizon, and he had sat.
isfied himself that the ship was no longer in
view; and then turned fully round, and
with an affected gayety, but real un.
easness, which was apparent in the ran.
dom character of his remarks, drew out his
glass, and having by long and scrutinizing
examination, satisfied his fears, at length re.
covered his composure.
When we arrived at our destination,
found ship just preparing to all for Flor
ence, and | took my passage, leaving the
captain to dispose of his cargo at his plea
sure. About eight months after this, when
| had almost forgotten the occurrence, /
was sitting in a private parlor of London
hotel, when letter was put into my hands
from Captain s. 1t stated that the writer,
who was in that city, had heard of my arr.
val, and would esteem it a very great kind.
ness if | would visit him at my earliest leis.
ure my coming would be of the utmost
importance to himself and others; his ser.
want, it added, waited to show me the way.
Immediately set out to comply with the re.
quest.
Upon entering the room, was shocked
at the alteration which had taken place in
his appearance. lie was thin, pale, and
haggard, with wildness of eye that al
most indicated that his reason was unsettled.
He testified much joy at seeing me and
desiring me to be seated, began his commu.
nicaton.
Il have taken the liberty said he, of de-
string your company at this time, because
you are the only person in London to whom
| can venture to make an application; and
| am going to lay upon you commission
to which l am sure you will not object.
The circumstances of our voyage to Mar
settles will occur to your mind without my
repeating them. l sold my cargo upon
the most advantageous terms, and was rem
dered at once rich man. The possession
of wealth was new to me, and its enjoyment
added in my case, to its usual qualification,
the charm of novelty. In the capital Of Pa.
ris spent many weeks of the highest en-
joymentuntil one day entering cafe | took
up gazette, and my eyes fell upon an ac-
count of the awful burning of his B. M.
ship -. The announcement fell up
on me like the bolt of heaven. My heart
beat and my frame shivcred; but read ev.
cry word of the article. The vessel which
had passed the day before had seen the
light from great distance, and Immediately
put back TO render assistance, but arrived
100 late to rescue more than two Of the crew.
They reported that vessel passed to the
north of them within half an hours sail, but
paid no attention to their repeated signals !;
upon the commander of that ship, the article
concluded, must rest the loss of two humid.
red persons.
My peace of mind was gone for ever.
My ingenuity could devise no sophistry
which suggested comfort. Wherever !
went that day | was haunted by remorse.
retired to bed that might forget in sleep
the fortunes of the day; but a terrific dream
brought before my mind the whole scene OF
the confagration, with the roar of the sig
nal guns. awoke with horror. Thrice
on the same night did compose myself to
sleep, and thrice was awakened by the re.
petition of the dream. For many hours on
the succeeding day my spirits were shock.
ingly depressed, but the gay company which
| frequented gradually restored me to ser.
entity, and by night | was tolerably compos.
ed. But the evening again brought terror;
the same vision rushed upon my mind and
racked it to agony, whenever fell into Q
slumber. Perceiving that if yielded tc
this band of tormentors should quickly be
maddened by suffering, l resolved to strug
gle with remorse and to harden my heart
against conscience. | succeeded always
when awake, in mastering the emotion, but
no power on earth could shield me from the
torrents Of sleep. Imagining at length tina
the PROSTATE position Of my bed, might be
one cause of the vividness of my dreams,
took the resolution of sleeping upright on ;
chair, while my servant watched by me
But no sooner did my head drop upon my
breast IN incipient slumber, than the fire a
gain tortured my brain the booming gun:
again rang upon my inward ear. Isough
all diversions; wandered over Europe
seeking to relieve myself from the domin
ions of this fantasy by perpetual change o
sights and succession Of sounds; but il
vain. Daily the horrid picture more ant
more enslaved my imagination, until a
length even in walking, while my eye is fix
ed on vacancy. burning ship was painte'
in the air, and with my waking ears | hear
the eternal guns. The horror has absorb
ed my being. ! am separated by circl
of fire from the rest of the world / breath
!. the sitting air of hell. Even now Sc
nothing but the wide sea and the incessan
flame upon it; hear now the agonising sig
mails, boom boom!
; The unfortunate man paused for momer
and upon human face | never saw sue
anguish.-He resumed in few moment
his account.
This must soon end. The purpose 70
which have sent for you is briefly this
! The whole sum of money which game
by my ships cargo, is in the bank of Eng
, land. shall order in my will that ever
cent of it shall obey your disposal. / wis
you to discover the families Of those VIII
, persisted in this vessel you will learn thei
names by inquirng at the admiralty. Di:
tribute to them every cent of the money
. You will not deny the last request Of a dy
, ing man; promise me that you will faithful
L x.,.~I