Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-11-07
LEGEND OF NEW YORK.

Some twenty years since, when New York
was somewhat Of different city to what it now
is. and steamers laden with cargoes OF actresses,
dancers and monke s, were not evei. thought or
dreamed OF, and when a goodly vessel laden with
merchandise was considered a more important
affair than the arrival OF tragedlan, or troop
of goats and monkeys; we say, some seventy
years since, towards the close Of beautiful au.
tunnal evening vessel was observed standing
in toward New York her hull was long aud
low; she was taut.rgged, with raking masts her
lib, flying ito, mainsa, and foretopsaI set, and
had every appearance Of making the harhor
Suddenly, however, she tackled; and boat was
lowered and pulled toward the shore by the
time, however, she had pulled in, it had become
quite dark, and the idIers had one by one, passed
away, so that the landing place was literally
clear gentleman landed from the boat, WHOSE
dress partly bespoke him as a naval man, though
the richness OF the various articles he wore nd-
Gated him 10 be one Of no ordinary rank; for
although it was not the dress OF British naval
officer yet there was something that plainly
showed he was one used TO command in person,
he might be above five and Thirty, but with a
complexion so swaflhy and sunhurnt, that il
would be difficult 10 say whether he was over or
under that age: woman land they are keen
Judges OF looks) would have gazed after him, and
thought perhaps, just such one would she have
chosen as model for admiration for woman
will form models in their ilnaginalions 10 love,
though it is but rarely such an object ever be,
comes their partner through life; the stranger,
however, pushed on through the narrow streets,
merely asking for the residence Of one Ephram
Dodds, worthy. pains. taking man, but poor
witbal. and one whose speculations had rarely
turned out we'll. .r.
He was busted in the evening, on which our
story opens looking over his Ledger, when the
door Of his counting house opened and stran.
ger presented himself
"Your name is Ephram Dodds."
at is, Sir, and yours p
mo matter; | know you, Sir, by report, for
an honest worthy man. but very poor one
Look from your window, a0d. il the darkness
will allow you, can you decipher aught Of a
goodiy vessel standing off in the distance? Thai
vessel is laden with goods so rare aud rich thai
its cargo would make the fortune OF the riches
merchant Of New York; | would con6de tina
cargo to you, not making you the mere agent
but as partner"
Ephram stared hard at the stranger, and be
thought him Of all the legends he had heard o
the devil tempting men in their hour of need
but still he listened.
at matters little. Master Dodds, who snt
what am, since It's liue to the purpose, bu
suffering has laid its heavy hand u on me my
poor, poor Paquta, sleeps in peace; lormy SAX,
che endured all-much that woman could. All
Sir! you know not what it is returning to on,
YOU had for months been yedrning to see to int
her gone from you forever, broken hearted fIon
the gibes and launts Of those who should have
protected her; but she did not dare avow he
marriage, and--but no more: she left me, Sir,
child, girl, whose features are as like her moth
er's as nature could have formed them. | woult
not she should be with her mothers friends, 10
have the same measures Of unkindness mete,
out TO her as WIS her poor mothers fate. No
Sir, ! would not it should be so: and this ring
me to the purpose Of my interview. IL you vii
take charge OF the cargo, one half is y ur own
the other is to be my daughters, and You mus
use them both in such way as seems best sule'
toyour Judgment
""And the girl" exclaimed Dolds. not seeinI
the thing exactly in all its bearings.