The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-01-11

August, '34, that we stepped on board a
large and stately vessel bound Westward
Ho l'-Before us lay the broad, deep wa
ters of Lake Erie, rejecting the purpling
gold and crimson of the magnificent heay-
ens, smooth as the polished mirror. Be-
hiLd we left Buffalo the besutiful +" City of
the Lakes"-her shores lined with vessels
in full sail and steamboats, gaily painted
her roofs, spires, woods and hills, all glitter
ing in flood of golden sunshine.-Truly,
it was beautiful scene and felt, as !
looked back on the fading landscape, that
| had found relief for the emigrant's sor-
row.
And gloriously, like a thing of life, did
our noble vessel-her snowy canvass spread
wide and high-bound off on the blue wa
ters. All was hustle and activity on board
for hundreds of human beings trod the
smooth decks. There was an animated
New Yorker conversing with fair Phila-
delphian; near by stood an aristocratic
looking Englishman-his stiff attitude in
perfect contrast with the independent yet
frank and easy manners Of the American T;
Poles with their unpromounceable names ;
Swedes, speaking unknown tongues; IA
troop of Swiss peasants, sitting on one side
of the boat-s German family smoking
philosophically OH the other; dozen
Green Mountain farmers and pedlers, be-
traying the true yankee spirit Of inqllry-
there, couple of French traders bargain
ing with an old chief who sat blduke,ed,
painted and moccasined; learned lawyers
and doctors, priests, merchants, spectators
middle aged and gray haired men Of
thoughtful brows---all mingled in the scene.
1t might well have been called floating
mansion--that boat Of ours. But to our
story.
Among the tbrong that crowded our ves-
sci, remarked one who seemed to have ma
feeling in common with the scene around
who shared not in the general hilarity and
kindly greetings that passed between all OIL
board. This was young female, appa-
rently just entering the first summer of her
life-not strikingly beautiful, but fair as the
snow drop, and like it shrinking from obser-
vation. She wore II mourning habit, close
ly fitted to a form Of surprising grace, and
a green travelling calash, beneath which a
pr6fusion of gold colored tresses found their
way over her neck and shoulders. 1t was
evident from her manners that she belonged
to an elevated class and from her air o
habitually calm and silent melancholy, ant
the mingled fear, anxiety, and cagerness
with which she looked forward to the enc
of her journey, it won Id seem that peculiar
circumstances had induced a voyage to the
Western world. BE that as it might, fell
deep and painful interest excited and
gave the one emigrant girl my immediate
and undivided attention. ! made and
gradually improved an acquaintance until
wound myself insensibly into her affcc-
tons and we learned to love each other as
sisters.
found Alice THAT was her name) sad,
gentle, yet deep hearted girl; full of all holy
and beautiful thoughts and tender affections
her sensbilities refined and her n,eliec,
/ polished by education-bersclfa being pure
as the sinless one Of Paradise. Sweet
Alice how like the creation of beautiful
dream does she cross my memory!
1t was during lovely twilight that Alice
and myself left the cabin to enjoy the cool
breeze of evening. The moon had already
4 SO"N '''thi q "pb S'o' J
over all she shone upon ; and the brillan,
stars, one by one, gathering over the deep
heavens, like diamonds scattered over a
robe of purple. 1t was an hour and scene
in unison with my feelings; and upon the
burthened heart of my companion it acted
as prevailing and holy spell. Suddenly
a clear, mellow and harmonious vIoce
poured fourth the exquisite old song ol
Allen Water" Alice was exceedingly
affected by these lines:
But the summer grief has brought her,
For her soldier false proved he"
and when the last strain died away faint
and sweet, upon the moonlight waters, she
sobbed audrby. After giving her feeling
their full, unrestralned flow, she grew calm
er, and taking my hand, she said, &" ! will
tell you my poor story now, dear Con-
stance; have not had the heart to mention
il before.
81 am a native Of New York, and have
all my life been resident Of that beautiful
city. Ny father was among the first and
wealthiest citizens, and had large and
lovely family, Of whom was the youngest
I lost my blessed mother early; and ere
many more springs passed over my head
my brothers and sisters, one after another
were lafcf rr the dust beside her and ] was
left the sole surviving child. was very
young, but remembered how strangely de-
serted our house looked after death had en-
!. tered its doors-how watched for the fine
manly ferns Of brothers, and the light foot
steps Of my sweet sisters and listened to
hear siIyery voices ring clear and merry a:
: was their wont-for their kind words AID
endeanng smile, but in vain The hearth
aud hall and board, were desolate: they
returned no more to bless my ysarning
heart. Ny fond fathers affections were