The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-02-14

SouIC SCu " tWCiSO ySoIS StuScs uuC Cu-
terprsing young man went out from one Of
our ports on long voyage, as common
sailor in whale ship. He was noble
specimen Of the frank hearted, honest and
industrious New Englander. lie returned
in the course Of three or four years, and his
ship had beon remarkably successful. By
degrees he SO won upon the confidence Of
his employers, that he became master and
part owner Of one ofthe finest whale ships
that made it's way over the trackless deep.
During his long and perilous wander
ings, by night and day over the ocean, for
whole years together, there was one star
that ever beamed upon his vision, lighting
him on TO success, and guiding him safe to
his destined haven.
He had left among the hills Of Vernon,
fair young girl-intelligent and interest
ing beyond most Of her sex. He remem-
bered her as sweet vision Of his childhood !;
and her letters we're bis solace and delight
during long years ofw sndering. How well
he loved the young girl whom he had left
| in the Green Mountain home--how eager
ly he flew to her the moment his foot touch
ed the shore, upon his return about FIVE
years since--need not be told. He mar
ried her; and leaving her in her quiet vii.
lage, started on what he determined should
be his last voyage. He had become veal.
Thy, and among other turns of his good for
tune had purchased lot Of land at San
Francisco, which now is becoming literally
almost worth its weight in gold.
lie returned safely from bis last voyage
during the last winter--fitted up his fine
ship in superb style, and with his young
wife started for California. We knew them
well, and well remember their leaving up
on their distant and perilous journey to the
new empire upon the Pacific coast. We
refer to Captain B. Simmons, Of the Mon
eoIa, md his wife, daughter Of Ole Bel
lings, Esq, of Woodstock, Vermont.
Mrs. Simmons was attacked by fever
the first day Of her arrival out at San
Francisco, and continued TO sink under it
until her death in couple of weeks--Her
yearnings fer her native hll-while feeble
and pining away at such distance from
home--,nay well be imagined by those who
knew her character. Even though cheered
by the presence and devoted love other hus-
band and brother, home, with its pleasant
scenes and associations among the Green
Mountains, was ever before her. In her
last hours there was little incident which
beautifully shows how devo,edly the heart
Of woman clings to the loved and cherished
scenes Of childhood. II is given in the fol-
lowing extract from letter by one who
stood by her bed side.
When she was conscious Of the near ap-
proach Of death, she called her husband and
brother to her bed side, and told them that
she did not wish to have strangers do the
last sad offices to her person, but selected
the lady friends whom she wished 10 do so.
Captain Simmons asked her il there was
any thing she desired. which it was in his
power to do for her--She replied: 'Yes, |
desire that you may not mike the aquisi-
ton Of wealth your chief concern, but lay
up other treasures in heaven. You may
be blessed with wealth; if you are so, do not
forget the poor Of our village Woodstock
have another wish, vain and foolish
wish--I ought not to express il, for it is
weakness, folly; il can, know, make no
difference as 10 the manner in which my
body is disposed Of after death-but may J
say it? could wish that might lie in our
little churchyard, BY the side Of brother Ed
ward Capt. s., in his manly and gener-
ous voice, stifled and choking with grIef,
replied, 'if ! live, Laura, your wish shall be
complied with 'How grateful am re-
piled the dying wife; ;'only think, Fredrick,'
addressing her brother, 'how kind Mr.. Sim
mons is; he says shall be buried in our
little Churchysrd and BY the side Of broth
er Edward
But death was gathering upon her, and
as the dark shadow closed around her, the
diving saint, with angelic sweetness re-
marked, this, then is the dark Valley; Why,