Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-01-10
CbuirE Iitfraturf.
THE SEA CAPTAINS RETURN.
ATAIE FoUNDED ON FACT.

A TALE FOUNDED ON FACT.
Capt. Potter, of Newport, R. l., was
wealthy and aimable gentlemen, whose fam
ly consisted of his wife, the pattern Of vir-
tue, and one daughter, who though young,
exhibited the beauty Of her mother and the
vivacity Of her father. As he was experien-
eed in the business Of a sea captain, he was
offered the command of vessel, which prom
ised great advantage, and with great reluc-
tance left his wife and child to try his fate on
that element whose composure lures to the
gates Of unprophetic destrution.
This voyage completed, Capt. P. deter
mined to renounce the faithless deep forever,
for the quiet of his own freside. Previous
to this departure be took gold ring from
the finger of his wife, and placed it on his
own, saying, "Should this return not on the
same hand, you may rest assured that l am
among the uneofhned dead Of the ocean.
Alas Mrs. Potter was doomed to drink
deep at the fountain Of woe. After waiting
the period Of his expected return, she began
to gaze on every sail that appeared and eager
ly sought every opportunity to learn some
tidings Of her husband, or the fate of the
shipin which he sailed. But all her efforts
we're Intellectual the only information that
could be, or at least ever was obtained on
the subject, was from an English vessel,
which ran thus -" May 16, 1895, spoke
with the Ranger from Newport, Capt. Pot
ter, master, lat. % deg. 80 min. w" This
indefinite intelligence was far from cheering
to the heavy heart Of Mrs. Potter. When
she saw others blythe, it only reminded her
Of her own sadness and while others were
enjoying the reciprocity of conjugal society,
it pointed her to the loneliness of her own
heart. While other children were happy in
the smiles of their parents, her angelic little
Mary would climb upon her knee and with
accents that rend mothers heart, inquire
if her father would not return. But month
after month rolled away season after sea-
son rolled their tiresome wheels along, until
fourteen years had been added to the cons
greeattd centuries Of the past; yet no tidings
Of Capt. Potter no, not even probable con-
lecture, concerning the dark mystery Of his
fate.
Time, that changes all things, had worn
away the acuteness of Mrs. Potter's grief,
which was fai more intense than it would have
been had she really wept at his grave, and
known that his last moments had been sooth-
ed by affection. As this last voyage Of the
captain seemed to be near to the unknown
coast, she was called the widow Potter
Having a country seat of great value, her
hand was sought by many, and as often re-
jected, until bachelor who had resisted the
charms Of womankind for a quarter of q
century, was smitten with the loyeliness Of
this worthy matron, or with the comelines;
of her possessions. She at length consented
that her name should be changed to Morane
the bridal day was appointed, the arrange
ments were made to greet the coming perio(
with festivity and mirth, The gossips begar
TO be more loquacious than usual even tht
PHLEGMAT1c began to surmise that something
unusual was about to be done at the man
sion Of the widow.
Late in the afternoon Of a cold, storm,
day in November, pennyless beggar callec
at a neighboring house and enquired wheth
en- the widow Potter lived in this part Of tn
city. His appearance denoted extreme poy
erty his emaciated form was reduced to
skeleton deep burrows were drawn in hi
cheeks. and his frame seemed to be stifene
in every Joint by disease or hardships. Ye
there was something in his eye which tol
he was born to better fortune. eyes,
said his informant, sat the very next dool
and tonight she is to be married.
aIs to be married p said the beggar.
tsHow long has her husband been dead?
''These many long years he went off
sea and has not been heard Of since. I"
How has she sustained herself since he
husbands death ~
..She has an unblemished character"
Has she any childrenY'
"One daughter only, fine young lady.
l must see her before she is married
have communications of Importance.
So saying. he hurried as fast as his feebl
limbs would allow to the splendid dwellin
Of the widow. The maid being summoned
and seeing him before her, was about
close the door against him, but the strang,
interrupted her BY saying:
Madam, may a beggar be permitted
see the widow Potter lS'
"We expect company tonight thereto
you must leave Immediately"
''The widow Potter must see.n
The maid. who would have. been glad
dismiss her unsightly guest, began to
somewhat angry and passionately exclaime
'Begone; we can't hear YOU now.''