Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-10-04

our utfe0tlOn was WunuTaWn from tne inci-
dental noise and hustle by the sad and de-
pressed appearance ofa man wAo had been
viewing the chip with spy-glsss and was
now slowly vending his way towards small
but a very handsome bousc. He was evl-
denyly sailor, and apparently in the merid-
isn of life, but a deep sorrow which shoDe in
every feature Of his face, had anticipated the
work OF time upon his whitened locks. The
history of that unhappy man. observed tho
pastor with sigh, 'is sad enough, and some-
what romnDtc.'
Adam Wilson was one Of the brightest
and gayest boys Of our schools be had q
mind upon which the common misfortUnes Of
life mode no impression, but which once
deeply wounded, must inevitably be over
thrown. Like most Of the youths upon tho
coast, us soon ss he was old enough he sought
his fortune upon the oceaB, and It was not
long before he became the first mate Of
ship trading to Holland. In one of his voy-
ages to the northern provinces OF that coait-
try, he became attached TO the daugAtc of'a
wealthy navigator, whose rich dowry, how
ever, " as the least Of her merits In her lovers
estimation. Her father thought differently
yet, rot willing to thwart his daughters wish.
es, he promised his consent to the desired
union rs soon as the young man should ac-
qulrc certain amount Of money, which he
considered a suitable equivalent for the dow
ry he intended to bestow upon his daughter.
Animated by a passion which swayed his
whole being, Wilson engaged lucrative
situation on board of an East lndaman, and
neither he nor his bctrothcd, for momeDs
doubted that one single voyage IN The Vrow
Margareta, would place hia in condition To
claim her hand. In one year. Anna, with
divine permission, will be with you again.
said he at the parting. Yes answered An
na, my heart assures me OF your return
! lie did indeed return at the appointed time,
wealthy beyond his own nnticipatoBs, and
his faiber.n.law's requirements the richly
laden ship lay bccalmed ncor that beloved
coast, Of whose inhabitants he had received
no tidings for more than a year, Adani's
impa'icncc was SO great and apparent, that
the phlcgmatic Ilollander. who commanded
the ship, granted him a boat and two oars
men TO enable him to proceed to B. and
visit the object of his affections. As Adam,
and his companions approached the land they
were struck with an astonishing change in
its appearance. Their eyes vainly wandered
over the level plain in search Of the well re-
membered windmill-thc lighthouse also had
disappeared, and the water seemed to stretch
length they reached the shore, not rightly
the spire Of the church Of B. they again
bctook themselves to their boat aud rowcd
directly towards il.
/. But who can imagine the feelings Of the
youth when he discovered the rich meadows,
the pleasant gardens, the near dwellings, and
the fruitful orchards had all disappeared, and
a. Il. x.aI sI. C.s- -.,,l
lagc become changed into a desolste wnsto
of waters! Eagerly did Adam look for tho
well remembered cottage thought within
himself that the dwelling of his beloved must
have been spared in the general destruction;
but he looked in vain, and at length became
convinced that further search would be use-
less.
'rake INC hence said he in broken accents
to his companions, this Is no place for me"
lie afterwards heard it related how the rag
ing sea had broken through the dykes,
sweeping everything before il, overwhelming
hundreds OF men, women aud children. Ills
/ grief oycrpowcrcd his reason, and sono
months OF mental oblivion followed CON-
seriousness at length awokc in his benumbc'l
soul, aud he came a wasted skeleton "a you,
see now, silently and sadly back to his form
or house.
Here he avoided all society, and only 10
, me conidcd, not indeed his sorrow-for that
remained locked up in his own bosom hut
his plan. lie brought me drawing of tho
fnrmer residence of his betroibcd, which
t,itbiul memory had enabled him 10 sketch.
I and begged Of inc with great carncstncss, tu
assist h'm ~ erecting n similar DWELLING
The oversight of the work, he added, with a
sigh. shall be the business and consolation ot
my life for he confidently whispered in my
ear, 1T is for Anna. You know her house "a
destroyed, and have promised TO build her
another like it. When il is finished, she will
come here and live in il with ine.' Looking
at the pale face and wandering eye Of tho
poor sufferer, who. alas, had lost his reason
iorcvor, ! thought within myself, il will bo
deed OF humanity to encourage him IN this
delusve hope aud consequently | entered
into his views with q zeal which secured hia
coincidence.
] took care that tho work should advance
ns slowly as possible, aud accordingly tho
first summer was consumed in selecting a
site and laying out garden, in which tulips
and other costly flowers which he knew tn
have been fayorItes Of his oetroihcd, bloomcd
in the greatest perfection and beauty to greet
her on her arrival. At length the house was
finished, tho dairy fitted up, and the kitchen
furnished with its brightly secured utensils;
all was prepared, and glistencd with true
Dutch ncutness. But, alas, no Anna cnnc
! With tender affection he sought out and re-
purchased a parrot which he bad brought
from India for her, and in the first bitterness
Of his sorrow had given TO stronger. Ito
rcxt bought finch, and taught Il to sing her
fsvorlc airs. The poor man did every tling
TINT love and tenderness could suggest, bnt
still no Anna came, and with the subtle but
I impe,fct reasoning Of insanity he now Cup
posed that she was delayed only by adverse
winds. Since ihat idea took possession &c
his mind, he carefully notes every variation
of the weather with renewed hope he re-
q. pairs every morning TO the beach, and with
bis spy-glass in his hand, spends the livelonq
day in following every dis,ant sail.
Just Us the good pastor had ended, we az
rived in front Of the house--whosc friendly
opd cheerful exterior contrss,cd 20 strongly
with The sadness and misery Within Wo
we're leaning against the garden gate indulg-
ing tho sad reflections awakened by tho mel
sncholy tale, when Adam came iorwsrd io
meet W. "A pleasant evening, Adam, ssid
the pastor in a kind and friendly tone. Yes.
n n pleasant evening, Dominica answered the