Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-09-13
A SINGULAR LOVE AFFAIR.

The Delaware Gazette tells good story of
1 two persons saved from the wreck of the
Pulaski, which We will endeavor 10 repeat
in few words:
| Among The passengers was Mr.. Ridge, q
young man oil wealth and standing, from n.
Orleans, rho being stranger TO ali on board
and feeling quite as much interest in his own
safety as in That Of any other person, was, in
The midst OF The confusion which follow ed the
dreadful catastrophe, about helping himself
10 place in one of the boats, when youns
lady who had frequently elected his admira
| lion during the voyage, but with whom he
was totally unacquainfed, attracted his al
| ten;Ion, and he immediately stepped forward
TO offer his services, and 10 assist her on
board the boat, but in his generous attempt
not only lost sight of the young lady, but al
SO lost his place in the boat Afterwards
when he discovered that the part O. the
wreck on which he foated, would soon go
down, he Cast about for the means of preser
va''en, and lasbing together couple of SET
tees and an empty cusk, he sprung on il, and
launched himself upon The wide ocean
isvessel proved better than he expected,
and amidst the sbreks, groans and death.
struggles which were every where utter ed
around him, he began to feel that his lot was
fortunate, and was cousoling himself upon
his escape, such as il was, when a person
DI
hiseye. IL was woman, and without Ia.
king the second thought. he plunged into the
water and brought her safely To his little
raft, which was barely su efficient 10 keep their
heads and shoulders above water She was
The same young lady for whom he had los,
his chance in the boat, and Tor while he Iell
pleased at having effected her rescue; but
moments reflection convinced him that her
rescue was no rescue, and that unless he could
md some more substantial vessel both must
perish.
Under these circumstances, he proposed
making an effort TO get his com pan ION in one
of The bosts, which was still hovering near
The wreck, but the proposition offered so lit
lie Chance OF success that she declined, ex
pressing her willingness at the same time, TO
take her chance with him either for lite or
death. Fortunately they driled upon a part
OF the wreck which furnished them with ma
terio!s for strengthening their vessel, and
which were turned TO such good account that
they soon sat upon float sufficiently buoy
ant TO keep them above The water, and when
The morning dawned they found themselves
upon the bread surface of the "vasty deep".
without land or soil or human being in sight
without morsel TO eat or drink-slmost
without clothes, and exposed 10 the burning
heat Of tropical sun.
In the course of the next day they came
in sight of land, and for time had strong
hopes Of reaching il, but during the sue,
ceeding night The wind drove them back up
on the ocean. On The third day sail was
seen in the distance, but they had no means
of making themselves discoy cred. They
were however, at length picked up by YES
sci alter several dsys Of intense suffering,
starved and exhausted, but siiIl in possess
sion OF oil their faculties, which it seems had
been employed TO some purpose during their
solitary aud dangerous voyage.
We have heard OF love in q cotiage-in
The deep green woods nay even Of lovo on
The wild unfurrowcd prairie but love upoa
II plank in the midst of old ocean, with do
zen frightful deaths in view, is something
stu more uncommon. And yet il would
seem that love thus born upon the bosom Of
the deep-craded by the ocean wave and
refned under The fierce beams Of an almost
vertical sun, is after all, The very thing
There 10 about il the true spice Of romance
The doubts, the hopes, The dfficulies-aye
ana The deaths too, 10 say nothing of the
s'ghs and tears. Mr.. Ridge must, therefore.
he acknowledged "a The most .omabtic Of
lovers, Tor there upon the deep blue sea. be
breaihed his pfecocious passion, mingled bis