The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-10-15
CHAPTE Err VIII.
She gascd on us with fx'd and anxious air.
That look consigned her infant to our care:

his she Ills she! the lOst--the mourned-my dauehter
oh God, we knee to thee in gratitude
Accept mothers thanks! OLD PLAY.
But had no time,' continued the old man af
ter brief silence, TO indulge in the feelings such
scene would naturally call forth, for my attention
was immediately diverted TO the case Of the sur
vIvors, who demanded all my care Soon after
reaching my vessel the strength and energy of the
mother, which she had displaced so conspcuously
in The moment ofperi, forsook her entirely. Every
nerve became relaxed-her spirits seemed COM
pleiey Frustrated, and she became as weak and
helpless almost as the child in her arms, On qpes-
toning her concerning the particulars of the disas-
ter, we found that her mind was all ahoat, and we
could get nothing from her but the most incoher-
ent answers. Poor crazcd thing! All her thoughts
seemed to center on her child, which she had con-
trved TO protect from the weather in wonderful
manner. We could hardly persuade her to trust
it for a moment IN our care, and she was restless
and uneasy until it was restored to her. 1t was
touching sight, ladies', TO witness the endearments
heaped by the wretchcd sufferer on her child-her
heart still strong and gushing with affection, though
her mind was all wreck and disorder. But she
soon sunk into 4 state of imbecility, ulering only
an occasional wandering word. | saw that she
was failing rapidly, and was feared she would not
hold out until we reached our station. Having
pretty fair wind, however, we arrived at the cove
just before nighfa, and it succeeded in getting the
unfortunates safely and comfortably hOusad.
Every exertion that our limited means permit
ted were put forth in behalf Of the poor suffering
woman, but all our care was unavailing. Fright
and exposure had Frustrated both mind and body.
She fingered for day or two in a sort oflehergy,
then died. A short time before she drew her last
breath she appeared to revive little and made signs
hal
she attempted to speak her tongue refused its Of
flee, and she only uttered feeble moan-like whis-
per. Thinking she might wish to behold the child,
wife took it from its little couch where it was slum-
Qering and carried it to her bedside Her eye
lighted up at once on seeing tan expression of
satisfaction shot over her face, and she made an
attempt us though she would embrace it. But her
strength was not sufficient for the task, and she
sunk back on her pillow, gazing wstluy first into
the infants face and then casting meaning glance
on my wife, rs if she by that look consigned the
little one to her care. NV wife answered the silent
appeal by pressing the child to her bosom. The
dying one seemed to understand her, for faint
smile played over her countcnance. 1t was the
last CLEAN of expiring nature, for Immediately
slight trumor shook her lraim--she turned her face
little from us-gavo one grasp-and her troubled
spirit was as rest
The sobs of Ellen here interrupted the narrative
OF the old man. My poor mohern was all she
could artculate as she leaned her head on the
shoulder of the wreckcr's wife and gave away to
the feelings which agitaed her breast. The synpa-
thizing tear glislcncd in the eyes of each Of the
groupas they Witnessed the emotions o fthe sorrow
stricken girl. 1t is true she had never known that
mother whom she mourned; yet the relation of her
foster Notwithstanding forth as it did the strong
love of that mother, tIiumphng even over the
wreck Of mind, and sending the last glow ofwarmlh
through the dcnth-chied vains-- breathing out, rs
II were, in the last gaspng sigh-touchcd the deep
est and enderest chord in her heart; while con-
temptation of the extreme suffering she must have
endured on the wreck-sullcring so great us to in
duce phrcnzy-and her affecting death-dying
: without sgh'-awoke the most piogant grief
After brief silence, the wrccker proceeded with
his narrative in an unsteady voice.
Yes, Elem il was thus she died-hnppy be-
eve in the consciousness That her child had found
a protector. And warmly did we welcome the lit
tie stranger thus proydentially thrown on our care.
But a short month before we had consigned TO the
grave the only child with which God had blessed
u.s. We were childlcss and sorrowing, but when
You came we felt that our lost one had again been
restored to US. Your ages must have been nearly
alike, aud we bestowed on you the name borne by
our child. Your lively pratlle soon cbascned the
gloom from our dwelling, and we forgot our be-
reavement. We had made many enquiries to find
out something respecting the lost ship, but lived
in remote place, and means for the transmission
of news was not abundant as at the present day,
and all our endeavors were fruitlcss. We were
content with the result, for hearts ycarned To-
wards you with all parents love, and as years
passed by, and you grew dearer to our hearts, we
ceased TO think of you as other than our own-and
such we shall consider you, in whatever circnm-
stances you may be placed, as long as heaven shall
spare our lives.
you did not ascertain the name of the ship
said Edward, as the old man paused at the conclu-
sion of his narrative.
1t wcud have boon difficult thing rs we were
then situated, although might possibly have done
so. But in hurry and excitement in getting of the
woman and child we had no thought for anything
by the time we had rescued them she
had settled so that any attempt TO ascertain it would
have been Ruthless
'Can You give no description of the ship asked
Mrs Randolph, who had listened to the recital of
the wrecker with an intensity of feeling, which
could not have failed of exciting the notice of the
company, had not their attention been wholly alb
sorbed in the story of the old man. The tremuous
and earnes, tone in which the question was put at
iracted Immediately the observation of the whole
party, while the interest Of those who were ac-
guainlcd with her sad history was awakened at
once to The highest pich.-Ellen raised her head
fundamentally from the shoulder of her foster
mother, and gazed anxiously in the face of the
wreckcr, brea,hless awaiting his answer.
'Lct me see,' said the old man, rubbing his arm
thonghifullv across his brow-'I think can,
ma am, for took particular notice Other before she
went down. IT my memory don't deceive me, she
was painted black, with white streak and white
mouldings--l believe she had small round house
on deck and-yes, | am sure-a large gilt figure
head
TELL me- SIR continued Mrs r. still more agi-
taed-' the date--the year.
: 1t was in tho year is, early in the fall-the
18th of September, ma am know that well, for
we always dated Nell's birthday from that time.
Pardon me- said Mrs Randolph, rising from
her seal, and approaching the wrecker, her face be-
trayinp xc,'ssiye emotion have reason-a
most Important motive ior the question. Did you
preserve the article. of dress found on the child ?
Certainy-certain';" - answered the old man,
wondering at the question and the agitation of the