Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-10-13
From the Boston Evening Journal.
SALT WATER BUBBLES.
BY HAwSER MARTINGALE,
THE CATAMARAN:
THE FAIR PORTUGUESE.

IL AIN TOt w T..
Sea-faring men sometimes meet with sim
guar adventures, and these adventures al
most always meet with an unlucky tcrn,na-
ton. Hence we shall find that the perls,
the hardships, and the misfortunes of sailors,
form far more prolific theme for conversa-
ton, anecdoc and story, than their good for
tune. If success should always attend cou-
rage, enterprise and worth, sailors would cv-
err he fortunate, and rank amongst the best
fellows in the world. But it is well known
that such is not the case. Jack is indeed an
'unlucky dog and takes rank accordingly.
1t is nevertheless sometimes the case, that
even among sailors, we meet with man,
who, by sheer good luck, has steered clear
of the quicksands and sunken rocks IN the
channel of life, which have shattered many
gallant vessel, and who has been favored
in an eminent degree with the smiles of for
tune.
Such man was my old shipmate, Harry
Granger. He never met with difficulties in
the course of his life, but was always the re-
cipient of fortunes favours. There SEEM
ed to be no occasion for him to plan and con-
cert measures for his future conduct Whe-
Their he was reckless or prudent, cautious or
daring, the result was ever the same, and
most happy so far as he was concerned.-
He was a fine fGliow-a noble. hearted fell
low-and good-looking fellow, to-and no
doubt deserved all the good fortune that fell
to his lot. Such men do not always meet
with their deserts.
Harry Granger was the son Of poor pa
rents, who died when he was eight wears old,
and left him IA poor destitute orphan, thrown
upon the charities Of what is often called, IA
cold-hear,ed, unfeeIing world. He was a
bright-cyed, ruddv- checked, intelligent look
ing lad, and Mr.. Tompkins, a worthy black
smith, who lived in the village, and was
friend of Mr.. Granger, took pity on his des-
tilute offspring, conveyed him to his own
house, and treated him like one of his own
children, intending to give him as good an
education as could be furnished by the dis
trio, schools in the country, to instruct him
in his own trade, and put him IN Il way of
procuring his livelihood, and becoming a
useful and respectable member of society.
But Harry early evinccd a repugnance to
learning the trade of blacksmith, or indeed
any other hand!crait employment. He car
ly exhibited a taste for adventure, was anx-
ious 10 visit foreign countries, and avowed IA
determination to go TO sea. At the age of
fourteen, he left the house of his friend and
guardian with bundle in his hand, contain
ing all his chattels, and while his bosom bea,
high with hope, and his eyes sparkled with
expectation, he commenced lis journey to
the nearest seaport. Ills intelligent, face,
and graceful, but robust form" served as a
letter of recommendation, and without diff
Guilty he procured a situation as cabn-boy on
board a ship bound to Europe.
He thus commenced his career as a sailor,
and met with many hard Bullets and hard
ships at the outset. But he always made
friends-ths was owing to his good conduct
and exemplary character-and he never met
with any serious misfortunes. He had DELHI
erately selected his occupation, and he de-
termned to press forward until he had gain
ed the topmost round Of the adder-and
stimulated by proper spirit Of emulation,
with industrious habits, courage, and an ami
able disposition, it is not remarkable that he
rapidly passed through the different grades
of cabin-boy, sailor, second mate, chief mate,
TO be master of fine vessel, the ship Cune-
gunda, engaged in the Brazilian trade.
Captain Granger was fine specimen OF
the Yankee SdnOr-ne was as brave, gene
rous, noble spirited Il fellow as ever strap
ped block, or worked out "a case in traverse
sailing. He loved his professIon-he loved
his ship-and was faithful to his employers,
who congratulated themselves on securing the
service of an able shipmaster and an inlell-
gent merchant. Although an ardent ad-
Inirer of the fair sex-(was there ever a
true. sailor, who was not y and fond Of
female society, which exercises purify
ing and polishing influence on the char
acter and conduct Of men, he was re-
solved to retain his hear, in his own keeping,
until fortune should so far smile upon his un-
dertahings, as to enable him to bid farewell
to the ocean, and with a competence seek
happiness in the bosom Of domestic society.
Such was the character of Harry Granger,
when IN the good ship Cunegunda, with a
fine breeze from the northwest, he rapidly
left well known seaport in New England
bound on voyage 10 Rio de Janeiro, in the
Brazis.
Nothing material occurred in the early
part of the passage-but as the ship drew to-
wards the equator, Gains and light southerly
winds prevailedto degree seldom witnessed
even in those ATTITUDES. A current, mean
while, was setting strongly to the westward
and Captain Granger had the unpleasant,
anti cpation of being back strapped, as the
phrase is--ihat is, forced so far to lecward