The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-10-15

OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. DeloVed-surTounded by
every blessing that af1uence and warm friends
could beslow-joy slrewed flowers in her pathway,
and hope wove garands for her future. But alas,
as the old poet asks,
/ .. What are our hopes
Like garlands on aiilctions forehead worn,
Kissed in the morning, and at evening tOrn.'
Capt. Randolph, her husband owned and conf
manded fine ireishting ship. In the third year
Of their marriage, in accordance with their mutual
wishes, it was decided that aunt should accompany
him on voyage to Europe, which he had deter
mined should be his last, as he was possessed of a
handsome property, and had grown tired Of the
sea. He was passionately devoted 10 his wife !;
besides he had another tie in the birth of n daugh-
ter, that led him 10 abandon pursuit which ne
cessaily demanded separation and long absence
from home now doubly endeared to him.
At first they thought of leaving their infant daugh-
ter at home, but as the time Of sailing drew nigh,
aunt could not bear the idea of parting from her
child. She evnced so much reluctance it was at
last decided to take it with them, and nurse was
engaged to accompany it.
| They had fine passage out to Liverpool, and
after remaining sometime in England, Capt. RAN
dolph and his wife proceeded to Paris, and thence
to llnvre, TO which port the ship had been ordered
Here they embarked for home. Nothing unusual
transpired on their homeward voyage until the fatal
night in which the dreadful event occurred that in
the same hour rendered our dear aunt n widow and
childlcss.
The day had been lowry, bu, the wind, though
it blew rather fresh, was fair, and they were cheer
ed with the hope of soon catching sight of their
native land. As il grew near nighlla'l the weather
thlc'ened fast aud quite n gale set in. There was
nothing, however, to excite alarm, and the ship,
under easy sail dashed over the pillows as secure
$. apparently, AS if beneath smiling sky.
| II was about nine or ten O'Clock in the evening,
aunt says, she was sitting in her state-roon, pre-
pairing to retire for the night her husband being at
the time on duty. All at once she heard an un-
usual noise on deck-a loud shouing-,he rapid
shuilng Of feet, mingled with the cracking of yards
and blocks; all deno,ng sudden alarm and confu-
sion. Immediately, high above the uproar, she
heard her husbands voice shouting through n
speaking trumpGt-'port your helm port your
helm, or You will be into us!' The startling ex-
claaation had hardly died away when she heard a
rush down the companion way, and the next mo-
mcnt her husband burs! into her state room, cry
ing with hoarse voice, This way, wife, this
way! Up, for your lire!--at the same time sez-
ing her about the waist aud carrying her by main
force to the deck
| VIVA, followed in the confusion thai prevailed
she eau but distinctly remember. She recollects
seeing the crew running wildly about the decks,
u,,erinr the most terrific cries. Of hearing strange
rushing sound in the water; then followed tre-
mendous crash, which caused the ship to reel and
culver us il II ,hunderbolt had burst upon her. Be
wldered and horror.s,ruck at the scene about her,
she was only sensible Of being borne rapidly along
amid the crashing Of spars; the outcries Of men +,
and the dashins Of pillows, until she found herself
in strange cabin, surrounded by strange faces.
Imagine, Ellen, the agony-the heart-rendng an
suish of that moment when the appalling truth was
revealed to her, that the ship in which she then
found herself had run down that of her husband
and that in all probability both her husband and
child were lost to her forever! will not speak Of
the horrors Of that night Language would fail Inc
were to attempt TO portray them. Aunt never
alludes to the event; never venluied to describe
her situation; and the further particulars which
shall relate Of that dreadful disaster were derived
from another source.
1t appears, continued Miss Irving, in voice
slightly ,remulous with emotion, that the ship on
board Of which aunt found herself received COM
paratively but trning injury, while her husband
was completely cut down. 1t was ascertained
that Capt. Randolph, probably knowing the dam
himself to place his wife on board the strange ship
Having succeeded in this, he returned TO his own
vessel to rescue his child, who with the nurse,
in one Of the siate.rooms at the time Of the acct
D dent. lie had barely got on The deck of his owr
ship, when the Two vessels, which had become
locked together by the head, were thrown apart b,
5 a tremendous sea. A second wave it is supposed
c must have swept the decks of the disabled ship, al
3 she lay in the trough, carrying away with it he
i unfortunate captain, for his drowning cries wer'
5 heard Immediately after at distance. 1t was S,
dark and tempestuous, and so much confusion pre-
, vailed, that nothing could be done for his relief
: and in few moments his voice was silent. In tn
g meanwhile the two vessels had widely separated
!. and by the time that the crew Of the strange sh
y had somewhat recovered from their CONSERVATION
:, and restored things TO order, the other vessel ha
n disappeared in the gloom of the storm.
d Having mustered the crew, it was found, that
e with the exception Of Capt. Randolph, tho chill