Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-07-14
THE EssESEa DAUGHTER.
A TRUE STORY.
EY GRACE GREENWOOD.

" And 50 you con't 90 with Us. Jamie ?"
"ilush, darling-you know cannot leave
my old mother, lone widow that She is, even for
love and You, Mary but if you'll not forget me-.
in the far country you are going TO. when God
wills, I'll follow you! -
Goa, Jamie, Jamie, this parting i quite break
ing my hcart-but don't ask ruc to stay again
God bless you, and keep you %tlruc,'
James Burke was the only child or n poor
widow, living iu tie northern part Of ireland.
Mary CONWAY WAS the Youngest daughter Of m
intelligent lli o.. eot,hlc family. ncighb0rs Of
the Burhcs.-l,u-+ and Mary had been lovers
from childhood. and at the time when they are
introduced to Our reader, all who know them
were smiling avproyiugly Of their fitting be-
trothal.
James was Just ones IDEAL Of a warm heart
ed. high spirited, frank, and handsome lrishman.
Mary was a fair b'uc-cyed girl of eighteen, with
much more Of delicate i~ragility Of figure than
often belongs to her countrywomen.
Some four years previous to the period of the
parting scene, with which we commenced this
sketch, Mary's only brother, willis Conway,
went out to America, TO seek his fortune
where he succeeded so well in business, that he
became anNious to be joinCd by his family. This
consisted only Of his parents, Mary. aud the or
lI',l by of an elder sister, a fine little fellow OF
eight or nine years. The noble young man
sent home nearly all his earnings to detray the
expenses of the voyage, anI promised his friend,
II snug and happy home, on their arrival ia tn
strangcr-laud. From their age and many IN.
lrInities, the parents were long ayerse to going
bat finally yielded to his earnest solicitations.
Poor mary the same sense of iilial duty which
babe her 60 with her parents. forbade her urging
her lover 10 accompany Ier. for old Mrs. Burke
could not risk, the voyage, having been an in
valid for many years; aud so they parted and
the emigrlnts took ship for Quebec.
For the FIRST week of the voyage all was iaiI
above the calm below but then came on squally
and tempestuOus weather, and the mad wave,
tossed about the stout ship like a toy, and the
fierce winds drove her wildly on her way. Oul
poor elnigrants had much to endure Mary, Ill
herself, was yet unceasing in her attendance on
her aged parents, who became so wasted and
enfeebled by sea-sickneSs as at last TO be hardly
able to rise from their berths. One night when
they had been about four weeks at sea, Mary
after watching till her dear ones slept, laid her
aching head on its uneasy pillow for a brief rest
The tempest which had ragged throughout the
day had somewhat abated, but a heavy fog lay
on the deep, like a white robe on the stormy
bosom of a Medca. The ship still rolled, ant
plunged, and Groaned. like some huge monstel
in the death agony, and for once, in orlsous. But
to use the expression of one Of her countrywo
mon, she " went on the knees of heart anC
from the berth where she lay l~eryently arose The
prayer OF a suh1ued and trusting spirit. She
tel asleep with n tear on her check, and heI
heart with love and old Ireland.
She was awakened by Il rush of feet on decl
and the cry Of Let 60 the anchors = succeed