The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-02-05
A Sea Story.

A Sea Story.
The first mate in the ship in which saed,
was an exceedingly interesting man. AS
gradually became acquainted with him felt
confident thai hG history must be one fin
terest.
| was walking the deck late one moon
light night, aud no one was up but him and
myself began 10 talk with him about the
sea, and when ! spake of It's dangers, no.
ticed that n sad expression came upon his
fnce. Suddenly he turned towards me aud
said, would you like to hear little of my
history for few years past p l told
him should like much to hear il. .
-Four years ago,' said he, Il left the port of
Boston, the master of fine ship, bound for
China. ] was worth ten thousand dollars
and was the husband ofa young and beuuti-
full wife, whom had married but six months
before. When left her promised to re-
turn to her in less than twelvemonth. !
took all my money with inc sage enough 10
support my wife in mynhsence, for the purpose
of trading when in China,on my own account
For long time we were favored with pros
porous winds, but when in the China, seas a
terrible storm came upon us,so that in short
time saw that the vessel must be lost, for we
were drifting upon the rocks Of an unknown
shore. Iordered the men 10 provide each for
himself inIh best possible manner, aud for
get the ship. as it was an impossibility TO save
her We sfuck--a sea carried me upon the
rocks senseless, and the next would have ta-
ken me back into watery grave, had not
one ofthe sailors dragged me further up the
rocks. There were only four of us alive when
morning came,we foundthat we were upon n
small and uninhabiied island with nothing TO
eat but the wild fruit common TO that portion
of the earth. will not distress you by an
account Of our sufferings there; suffice it TO
say that we remained sixty days before we
could make ourselves known to any ship
We were taken TO Canton and there | had to
beg, for my money was at the bottom of the
sea, and had not taken the precaution 10
have it insured. 1t was nearly year before
found chance to come home, and then
|, n captain,was obliged to ship as n common
sailor.
Ii was two years from the time left Amer
lea that landed in Boston. was walking in
hurried manner up one of its streets, when
met my brother-in-law. He could not
speak nor move, but he grasped my hand,
and the tears gushed from his eyes.
SIS my wife alive p | asked.
lie said nothing. Then wished that |
had persisted with my ship, for thought my
wife was dead, but he very soon said '.She is
dtiUe'' Then il was my turn TO cry for JOY
He cIuhg TO me and said, your funeral SER
mon has been preached, for we have thought
you dead for long time He said that my
wife was living in our little cottage in the in
terlor of the State. 1t was then 3 o'clock in
the afternoon, and took train of cars that
would carry Inc within twenty-five miles Of
my wife. Upon leaving the cars, l hired n
boy, though it was night, TO drive me home.
1t was two o'clck in the morning when that
sweet little cottage ofmine appeared in sight.
1t was warm moonlight night, and / re-
member how like heaven it looked TO me.
| got out Of the carriage and went to the win
dow of the room where the servant girl slept
and gently knocked She opened the VIM
dow and asked 'who was there"
Sarah, do you not know me- said /.
She screamed for fright, for she thought
me ghost, but l told her to unfasten the
the door and let me in, for wished to see
my wife. She let me in and gave me a light
and went up stairs to my wiie's room. She
lay sleeping quietly. Upon her bosom lay
our child, whom had never seen. She was
as beautiful as when left her, but could
see n mournful expression upon her face
Perhaps she was dreaming of me. i gazed
for long time; did not make any noise,
for dared not wake her. At leangth ] i'm
printed kiss upon the cheek of my little
chld.While doing it, tear dropped from my
eye and fell upon her face. Her eyes opened
as clearly as though she had not been sleep
! ing. | saw that she began TO be frightened,
and said, MARY, it is your husband and
she clusped me about the neck and tainted
But cannot describe to you the SCENE
She is now the happy wife of a poor man, |
am endeavoring to accumulate little prop
erty, and then will leave the sea forever
Christian Cihzea.