The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-10-14

THE SEA CAPTAINS RETURN.

The incidents related IN the following
tale are true.
Captain Potter, OF Newport, Z. l., was q
wealthy and aminbls gentleman, whose
family consisted Of his wife, who was the
pattern of virtue, and one daughter, who,
though very young, exhibited the polished
beauty Of her mother and yivacty Of her
father. As be was much experienced in the
business of sea captain, be was offered
the command of vessel, which promised
great advantage, and with great reluctance
left his amIable wife ard child once more
t. try his fate on that element, whose com.
posure lures 10 the gates Of unprophegic
destruction.
This voyage once completed, Captain
P. determined 70 fenouHce the fal;hless
deep, forever, for The quiet Of his own FIRE
side. Previous 10 his departure, be took a
gold ring from the finger Of bis wife, aud
placed it on his own, saying, should this
return not, on the same hand you may rest
assured that am among the uncodined
dead Of the ocean. With these words he
departed. Alas Mrs. Potter vas doomed
to drink deep at the fountain of woe. AZ
Ter waiting the pariod Of bis expected re-.
turn, she began TO gaze with anxiety Oh
every sail that appeared ia view, and ca
gerIy sought every opportunity 10 learn
from public documents some iidlngs Of her
absent husband, or the fate Of the ship 10
which be sailed. But all her efforts we're
Intellectual the only Information that could
Je, or at least ever was obtained on the
subject, vas from al English vessel, which
ran thus. May 10Th, 1895, spoke with
the Ranger, from Newport, Capt. Potter
master, IN IS dogs. 80 ms. W." This
indefinite intelligence was far from cheering
TO the heavy heart Of Mrs. Potter. WheI
she saw others blllhe, II only reminded he
of Der own sadness, White others were OIL,
enjoying the reciprocity Of couiugal society
i. pointed her 10 the loneliness OF Ter owl
heart. While other children we're happl
10 the smiles Of their parents her angeli,
little Mary would climb upon her knee, nat
With accents that rend moiher's heart, il
quire if her father would not return. Ru
month after month wasted away +; seasoI
after season rolled their tIresUme wheels
along, until fourteen years had been added
10 the congregsted centuries Of tie past
yet 20 tldings Of Capt. Pro, cot even q
probable conjecture, concerning tie darb
mysteries Of his fate.
Time, that changes oil things, had gorr
away the acu,euess Of Mrs. Pouer's grief
winch was far more intense than il wou!l
have been had she really wep, al his gravl
and known that the las; momeuts Of bel
husband had been soothed by affection.
Is thus last voyage Ct the captain seeuet
10 DC TO the unknown coast, she vas called
the widow Potter. Having a splendid man
sion, and country sea; Of great value, be
hand was sought by many, and as often re
lecled, Until q bachelor, who bad res.s,et
the charms Of woman KIDD for quarter Q
a century, vas smhten with the loyeliues
Of this worthy matro1, or w.Ib the comell
ness Of her possessions. She at length con
ssuted that her name should be changed 4
morane, tue bridal dal was appointed, Ii,
arrangements we're made 10 greet the CON
ing period with due fesliYity and mi.lh.-
The gossips began TO be more loqnaciou
than usual; every ta,ter had her tale G
weddings to tell even tile PtlegmQtc be
gan 10 surmise that something unusual wa
abou, to be done al The manson Of the wid
ow Potter.
Late in the afternoon Of a cold, storm
day in November, peuuyless beggar cal
ed at neigbboring house and inquire
whether the widow Potter lived in this pal
of the city. His appearance denoted til
most extreme poverty his emaciated fort
was reduced almost to skeleton deep fuj
rows were drawn IN bis cheeks, and his To-
teriag frame seemed to be stif.ned in ever
Joint by disease or hardships. Ye, ther
was something ia bis eye that told he wa
born TO a better fortune. Yes SAID b
informant, at the very next door, and
nigh, she is TO be married.
Is 70 be married 2 said the berpar.
How long has her husband been d4ad
These many long years he ven, off /
sea and has not been heard Of since
How has she sustained herself since he
husbands death I!
She has an unbiemisbed character.
Has she any childrenT
One daughter only, who has become
fine young LADY
must SEQ ber before she - married
have some communications Of Importance
20 saying, he hurried as fast as bis Zee
bic Iimbs would allow TO The splendid dwell
fng Of Tue widow Potter, The mad in q.