The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-06-28
For The Cecal Wing.
A SKETCH.

Some years since the following circumstances
were related to me and 1, thinking it might be
interesting, have woven it into a little story.
Name for it, have none-will that detract from
its interest?
On board one of our national vessels few
years since, sailor shipped who was not new
or green hand this was not his first cruize, yet
he bid adieu TO the land Of his birth under new
and to him most distressing circumstances.
Bitter memories and thoughts were his, as the
land receded from view; his duty was mechani-
cally done, his heart was with one who had al
ways shared his tolls, his pleasures, his cares.
His brother, the loved one of childhood and
youth, the companion Of manhood was not now
with him. no more did his eye rest lovingly upon
that brothers honest, open sailor face, to none
could he speak the outpourlngs Of his heart.
The first separation Of those heart. so firmly knit
together by the bonds ofbrotherly love, ah who
could imagine2 who could describe it,
Day after day passed with the usual monotony
Of a sea voyage; some had known our sailor in
vessels when his much loved brother was with
him; could he be the same the voice which had
so cheerily sung with the rest of the crew was
now hushcd; no officer had to complain of in
Subordination; from no duty however unpleas-
ant, did he shrink, but when done he sought not
The companionship of his shipmates; alone he
sat, stunning observations of what was he think
ingi At times he smiled, perhaps he tancied
his brother by his side; they talked of the past,
q their mother, who 50 often had kissed them
both as they came bounding from their joyous
play; of their father, their kind old parent whose
white hairs haveso long lald in the green church
yard. All well do they remember his blessing,
though often they forget the command, as he bid
them farewell for the last time, "God bless YOU
both and keep you from dangers of land and sea;
never more shall these eyes rest upon you, but
go my sons, and forget not the God of your
father" They spoke of their tair-haired sister,
their youngest sister, their plaything, their pct;
she who had chung to both for protection, and
love; no smiles were now upon her lips, for
those blue eyes were closed, oh! so long ago
that merry laugh was hushed-n her youth and
beauty had that sunny haired and merry hearted
girl gone to the grave; her spirit was with the
blessed ere it had known aught of sin or sorrow.
Hank! that shrill whstle-what means it p
alas! his dream is DER, no brother is by his side,
no loved voice is in his ear, and all is again dark
despair.
Right heartily could he have faced the storms
boI hat hrotb .. han, ,tl l.
| souls, und for which one felt he spark of love?
or what one spoke words ofsympa,hy. Bravely
would he have furlcd the sails, quickly sprung
up the rigging had that brother made one of the
crew.
Time dragged heavily on, YEARLY passed the
night watches to that lonely sailor; he was pining
as sick girl for her lover. Soon "lhe place
which knew him knew him no more"-his name
is on the sick list. The physician cannot reach
his disease; he dreams, he speaks his dreams, or
rather murmurs in his sleep: "come to me my
brother, there clasp me, your voice hear but |
cannot see you,"-he wakes, to behold kind
but strange faces. Slowly the days pass, and
slowly he decays, slowly but surely. AT last
the silver cord was loosed, but no loving brother
had wiped the death dews from that pale brow
-murmurng that brothers. name he sank to
rest. No friend ever knew of what he had died;
perchance they knew not that he died only from
his absence and silence. His name soon passed
from the lips Of men md was stricken from the
rolls. His grave the ocean, and his monument
the waves.
''The sea, the blue lone sea hath one,
He lies where pearls lie deep,
He was the loved of all, yet none
O'er his low bed may weep"