The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-05-30
NJ I S g e L L a II z 0 u S
ELF CRITIC E;
THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT.

The "days of chiyalry," in the steel-ar-
NOR and horse-p -prancl ing sense OF the
phrase, have doubtless passed away III
The limbo reserved for all social extrava-
gances; but the spirit which, III the eyes
of thoughtful men, redeemed It's else vain
shows and tinsel accessories from unrnlI-
gated contempt, lnteriused with the pro-
sale drama of conventional modern lie,
survives in more than all its ancient vlgor,
and from time TO time CLEANS forth, ana
ilIumes the sombre hues of our neutral
tinted civilization with the brilliant prls-
matte colors of the day. In other words,
there are indeed constantly enacted IN this
matter-of-fact world Of ours which, tor
real heroism, have no parallel IN the gllt-
tering annals of plumed and painted chlV-
airy romantic episode IN the lie OF
gallant and well-known sea ofhcer-tor
the exact verify of which |, and indeed
many others still living, can vouch-aHords
think, a vivid illustration OF this bret
text.
Francis Travers, as shall call him,
was the only son of worthy and some
what eccentric gentleman of Devonshlre,
who had passed the greater part OF an ac-
tive and successful life in the naval SER
retired from active pursuits at the-for
this bustling go-ahead country-early age
of fiGty-fve; and having securely invested
the savings Of his life-amounting to
about twenty thousand pounds-in the
funds. retired to an old fashioned rustic
residence called Marlands, TO enjoy In
leisured solitary dignity-he had long
been a widower-the remainder OF his
Il in m n
those of most retired seamen, was speedl-
" decorated with wind-yane and flag
staff on which was frequently exhibited
bunting of every hue and device known
and recognized beneath the sun; but even
with the help of these interesting time
killers, the hours passed slowly and hea-
vily with the old mariner, and 1t was soon
abundantly evident that to be thus ever
lastngly anchored, stranded IN one spot
was ruinous to his health as we'll as tenn
per. He grew daily more and more rest
less, fidgetty, and irritable, and drank
great deal more than he had been accus-
TONED to. Finally, on the very morning
after the news arrived that his son had
creditably passed for a lieutenant in the
Royal Navy, Mr.. Travers was found
dead and cold in his bed. The coroner's S
inquest recOrueQ lHdi He uieu cy Hi| 'iSA
taiion of Cod
Lieutenant Travers, the sole heir OF his
fathers wealth, was at this time fine
specimen of well educated, intelligent
naval officer; and rich, well looking, and
of robust health, might be fairly looked
upon as an extremely fortunate person,
whom in all probability brilliant, cloud
/ less future awaited. In the young oftl-
oil hos dc
and appliances were nothing if they failed
10 obtain for him the one sole object, alter
professional fame, of his ambluon-the
hand of the beautiful girl by whom, since
his first visit to his father at Mariands, has
whole being-heart. soul, sense-had
been engrossed. His admiration of Mary
Wharton was perhaps all the more enthu-
sastic and intense from having remained
as yet strictly conf ned to his own breast.
His heart alone knew and brooded over
It's own secret, and was likely, 1t seemed,
10 do so for an indefinite time 10 come,
inasmuch as the daring sailor, who has
already been twice wounded in desperate
boat expeditions upon which he had vol
unteered, doubted much whether he sho' d
ever muster sufficient audacity TO disclose
his passion even to the fair lady herself.
II Is Tue Idllii VI VI WV
worship2er which invests the idol or the
shrine with its trancendent attributes; and
often as Francis Travers had counted up
his own advantages-UideHcet, a person
which ever his modesty would not but
admit was not one to frighten the gentler
sex; professional reputation for skill and
daring; and now, since the death of his
father, handsome fortune-he pronoun-
ced them all mere dross and rags when
weighed against the divine perfections of
the lady. 1t is very doubtful whether any
other human being would have arrived at
the same conclusion. Mary Wharton was
indeed an amiable, graceful girl; and her
beauty, if not of the brilliant kind which
at first view dazzles the beholder, was
scarcely less ultimately dangerous IN its
pensive thoughtfulness, and in the beseech-
ing gentleness which, cleaning from out
the transparent depths of her deep blue
eyes, tinted the pale, finely turned cheek
With varying charms. But excepting this
beauty of expression more than OF form.
and an unquestionably amiable temper
and disposition she had really nothing TO
coast OF worldly fortune she would not