Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-12-17

that the love of art among us will grow
into a passion, and that our country
homes and villas will be ornamented with
all those beautiful works which have come
down from past ages, sanctifed by the ge.
MUS that has adorned the world.
STORY OF A SAILOR.
Four yeas ago left the port of Boston.
was worth ten thousand dollars, and was
the husband of a young and handsome
wife, whom had married six weeks be.
fore, When 1 left her promised to re.
turn in less than twelve month. Itook
all the money along with me, save enough
to support her in my absence, for the pur-
pose of trading while in China. For a
long time we were favored with prosper
GUS winds, but when in the Chinese Sea,
a terrible storm came upon us, so that in
short time saw that the vessel must be
lost, for we were drifting on the rocks of
an unknown shore. l ordered the men
each to provide for himself in the best pos
sible manner, and forget the ship, as it
was impossible to save her. We struck
sea threw me upon a rock, senseless, and
the next would have carried me back into
watery grave, had not one of the sailors
dragged me further up the rocks.
There were but four of us alive, and
when morning came, we found we were
on small uninhabited island, with moth
ing to eat but the wild fruit common to
that part of the earth. will not distress
you with an account of our sufferings here;
suffice it to say, that we remained two
months here, before we could make our
selves known to ship. We were taken
to Canton, and there had to beg, my
money being at the bottom of the sea,
and l had not taken the precaution to have
it insured.
1t was twelve months before l found a
chance to come home, and then, cap
tain, WAS obliged to ship as a common
sailor 1t was two years from the time
that left America, that l landed in Bos-
ton. l was walking in hurried manner
up one of its streets, when met my bro
ther-i n-law. He could not speak nor move
but grasped my hand and the tears gush-
cd from his eyes.
Is Sarah alive . asked.
He said nothing.
Then wished that had persisted with
the ship, for thought she was dead, but
he very soon said:
'She is alive
Then cried for JOY, He chung to me
and said:
Your funeral sermon has been preach
ed, for we have thought you dead for a
long time
He said my wife was living in our cot
tage in the interior of the State. 1t was
then three o'clock in the afternoon, and l
took train of cars that would take me
within 25 miles of home. Leaving the cars
l hired carriage, though it was night, to
take me home 1t was about two O'Clock
in the morning, when the sweet little cot
tage of mine appeared in sight. 1t was a
warm moonlight night and l remember
how like Heaven it appeared to me,
got out of the carriage and went to the
window of the room were the servant girl
slept and gently knocked, She opened
the window and asked, who is there?'
Mary, do you not know me 2 said l.
She screamed with fright, for she
thought me ghost, but l told her to I'M
fasten the door and let me in. She let
me in and gave me light, and 1 went
up stairs to my wife's room. She lay
sleeping quietly. Upon her bosom lay
our child, whom l had never seen. She
was as beautiful as when l left her, but
could see mournful expression upon her
face. Perhaps she was dreaming of me.
l gazed for long time--I did not make
any noise for dared not wake her. AT
length l imprinted soft kiss upon the
cheek of my child, While doing it, a
tear dropping from my eye, fell upon her
check. Her eyes opened as clearly as if
she had not been sleeping. l saw that
she began to be frightened, and l said
Sarah, it is your husband =
And she clasped me about the neck
and tainted,
But | cannot describe to you that scene.
She is now the happy wife of poor man.
am endeavoring to accumulate a little
property, and then leave the sea forever.
AN EXACT W1TNEss.-How far were
you from Mike. when he struck the DO.
liceman? asked lawyer of witness.
Witness-Just FIVE feet four inches and
a half.
Lawyer-How is it that you are so ex-
act, fellow.
Witness-Expecting some fool might
ask me, concluded to measure it.
Judge-Have you any more questions
10 put to the witness?