Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-01-21
From the Boston Mercantile Journal.
The Christmas Wedding.

OF eighteen months 10 the Fast Indies in the
good ship Iompon-of which he was second
mate-and as soon as the ship was discharged
he obtained leave To- be absent a few weeks on
visit to his friends, who resided in boauti-
ful village in the valley of the Connecticut
! When he babe farewell 10 Capt. Seawall, that
worthy man who regarded James as a son,
aud felt deeply Interested IN lliS eifaso. gave
him bit of advice.
IN tell YOU what it is, James,, said he
! you are going home and will doubtless see
many old acquaintance of both SEXES in the
course OF your vislt-and il YOU are wise YOU
will get spliced before you get back. Some
| folks say that a sailor has no business with
/ wife. This IS an errur-a sailor should let
slip no opportunity OF getting well married.
A prudent virtuous wife, will not only always
make his home welcOme-and with her smiles
compensate him for all his dangers and self
denials when abroad-but her image, deeply
| impressed on his mind, will act as talisman
| to preserve him from the vortex of dissipation
| and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and to guard him from the
| temptations which so often beset the path of
the sailor. II is a hard case James, if sal
! Tor is to be deprived of the comforts of matr-
mony, which are not denied to the lubberly
! landsman. A home-a Joyous home, bright
ened with the smiles of affection, is more inn
portant 10 a sailor than landsman. Get mar
ried James-get married Look around YOU,
when you get home for light Little country
crait-Wlth a handsome run, and neatly rgg-'
ed-run boldly along side--throw your Crap
ping irons on board--and then see that she is
well manned, you rogue = =
Get married q muttered James to himself.
as he wendell his way to the stage Office
what does the old man meant 1t is easier
said than done. I'll think of it--but there's
no hurry am only twenty yet
| 1t was about 10 o'clock on clear and cold
evening in the month of December when the
stage-sleigh in which James Campbell had la
ken passage, reached the village where the
young mariner was born. The moon shone
brightly in the heavens, and her silver beams
were reflected by the surface ofthe snow, eau
| sing night almost to rival day, so far as guam
tity of light was concerned-and to surpass it
in beauty and splendor. James longed to be
with his parents and sisters, and after ordering
| his baggage 20 be deposited in The ballroom of
the tavern, he fastened with eager steps along
| a cross road toward the old family mansion,
which was situated on an eminence, about
| three quarters of mile from the tavern. He
had accomplished about half the distance when
| he was astonshed at hearing the loud and
| piercing shrieks OF female-and the brave
| and generous sailor always ready to relieve
| distress and extend helping hand TO the weak
and oppressed, eagerly rushing forward to
| learn the cause of the cries which reached his
/ ears.
He soon reached the spot from whence the
sounds proceeded-and found woman strug-
! Cling with rufiian, who was endeavoring 10
prevent her loud and constant cries Tor sue
cor. James seized the fellow by the collar
with giants grasp-and as the scoundIel tur
ned with savage fury upon the defender of out
ragged innocence, without saying a word the
young and vigorous sailor gave him no very
gentle tap on the side of lis head, which laid
him senseless on the ground.
James found on inquiry, that he had rescued
young and gentle maiden from the insults and
outrages Of fend in human form-who, in
stiga,ed by the demon Inemperance, had
waylaid her on her return from a neighbor's
house, for the purpose of pressing upon her
his odous suit. The scorn and contempt with
which she had treated him had excited his in
dgnation-and she was compelled 20 call for
assistance against the attacks of the monster.
The maiden TO whose assistance he had thus
CALAMITY rushed, he soon recognized as liar-
Iiet Williams, lovely, lively. laughing girl,
the daughter Of near neighbor of his fathers
and an intimate friend, and almost constant
companion OF his sister Maria.
Some persons, attracted by Iarriet's cries
for assistance, had approached the spot-thc
drunken ruffian was secured and escorted 10
the house of magistrate, from whence he was
sent 10 prison for examination on the following
day.
Harriet soon recognized her deliyerer, and
in expressive language, and with swe et mu-
steal voice, which formed a wonderful contrast
with the ruff, cultural sounds, which he had
been in the habit of listening TO for many
months previous, gave utteance to the CRATE
full feelings which had taken possession Other
heart lie accompanied her home, and when
he had taken leave of her, and was once more
with rapid steps lessenig the distance between
him and his parents, he caught himself NUT
terine-'I am by no means sure that Captain
Seawell is not more than half night after all
| always thought he was a sensible man.
II is needless 10 say that James Campbell
was warmly welcomed beneath the paterna
roof. He was beloved by his parents, and hr
deserved by his correct habits, and the inieg
rty of his character all their affection. The
fatted calf was killed on the occasion Of the
return Of the wanderer, and his presence in
creased tie Joy and gladness OF the happy fam
i.y.
II was but natural that James should s,ef
over 10 Deacon Willams's the next forenoon
10 inquire after Hsrriei's health, and learn d
she had suffered any Inconvenience from hei
fright. Of the previous evening Indeed, po
: likeness alone would have dictated this course
In is not improbable that Harriet, herself ex'
Dec,ed something Of the kind, for she met hin
al the door, with smile that would have soi
\ tened the iron IN the bosom Of an anchonie-
and was dressed as neatly, and looked as pfet
;ily. as il she had just crept out OF a handbook
p T'L, iptarviev was 3ppaTeutly. q pleas1ui ono