Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-12-18

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pendence of spirit, and taking his father at his
word, he left his home at once, determined to
see something of the great world, and never TO
return except by his fathers invitation. 1r
The rich lawyer had neighbor and intimate
friend-Col. ,Ellet, living in the same street,
and but a few doors distant; and within TWEEN
ty minutes after John Harmon left his father 8
door, he was seated in the elegantly furnished
parlor at the mansion of Col. Elicit, in earnest
conversation with beautiful girl of seventeen,
the Colonel's only child, and with whom he
had been on the most intimate terms from the ir
earliest childhood, or at least from hers; for
Ceclle Elicit was some three years younger than
John Harmon, it will be recollected, and so
much had they been together during the school
and college vacations, for the past three years,
and SO much had the gentle and confding girl
learned to love the young student, that when
John Harmon informed her of the recent mis-
understanding which had occurred between his
father and himself, and the necessity that exis-
ted of his leaving home, the news seemed for a
few moments wholly to everwhelm her. But
Cecile was noble, brave-hearted girl, and she
babe him go forth into the world, and win
name and independence; and at the expiration II
of three, five or ten years, he would return,
and find her love unchanged. And thus they
parted-the beautiful trusting girl of seven
teen, and the brave, generous-hearted young
man of twenty-loving and loved; each conf
dent of the others truth and fidelity and
each looking forward to joyous, happy fu-
ture. ..-..
John proceeded at once to New York, where
he had bachelor uncle residing, who in the
early part of his life had been sailor, but for
the last twenty-five years he had been doing
an extensive business in the city as an India
merchant. .f'."
| Capt. John Walcott welcomed his nephew
with open arms, and when he became acquaint-
ed with his reasons for leaving home, he was
perfectly delighted, as he had but contempti-
BILE opinion of the bIack-coated professions al
together, and had always considered an ac-
complished sailor as the very beau ideal of a
gentleman; and many time, and often, had
he endeavored to persuade his nephew to aban-
don his books, and don the blue jacket, prom
ising to heave him ahead, as he expressed it,
and place him in command of ship as soon as
he had learned the ropes.
Within six weeks from the time he left
home, John Harmon was on his way to India,
as super-cargo of fine ship belonging to his
uncle; and so faithfully did he employ his
time in the study of his profession, that at the
expiration of the voyage, which had lasted
nearly year, the captain informed his own
er that the young super-cargo was fully COM
petent to command her, or any other ship
afoat. .....
Capt. Walcott had several small vessels en-
gagged in the West India trade, and he immc-
diately made his nephew the offer either 10 go
out in charge of one of his ships, or take the
command of one of his small vessels trading to
the West Indies.
John chose the latter berth, and so success
full had been his voyages both to his uncle and
himself, that before the expiration of the third
year, he found himself the commander and
owner of the beautiful schooner in which he
had made but one voyage, and was on the sec
ond outward bound, at the time he is ntrodu-
ced TO the reader. --. -H.. ,s
Ten days before he sailed from New York
on his present voyage, he has much astonished
at receiving letter from Cecile, written in
Philadelphia, wherein she informed him tina,
she was in that city, and about to embark
with her father and mother for Valparaiso, for
which port her father had recently been ap-
pointed consul. The faithful girl assured him
of her unchanged affection, and besought him
to remember her, and as soon as his crcmm-
stances would warrant, to seek her in Valpa-
raiso, when she hoped they would no more be
separated.
The young captain communicated this intel
| ligence 10 his uncle, who advised him to run
over 10 Philadelphia at once but moment af-
forwards, his eye happening to fall upon the
shipping news contained in paper which he
held in his hand, he discovered that the Alton
the vessel in which Col EIlet and his fani-
ly had taken passage-had already sailed and
after few moments reflection, he advised his
nephew 10 use all possible despatch in making
his present voyage, which was to Burmuda on
ly, and then on his return, fit his vessel away
for voyage round Cape Horn, assuring him
that he shonld be well supplied with funds,
so that the father of his intended wife should
have no objections on that account; and ac-
ting promptly upon his uncle's advice, the af-
ternoon OF the tenth day found him outside of
Sandy Hook, with a fine fresh breeze. bound
to Bermuda. aa l....... al. s...
on the morning of the fourth day after leav-
ing port, the severe gale came on. and The
schooner was Immediately hove-,o ius, q, the
southern edge of the gulf s,ream, and under
the shortest possible canvas; she lay there all
throughout the tremendous gale, as dry as a
sea gull. - .f... ...
On the first night after the storm came on
Capt. Harmon retired to his BERTH and aImos,
Immediately fell into a troubled sleep, where
in he dreamed that after having been tossed
about for long time by the mad winds and
waves, the storm at length abated and had
lnst made sail on the schooner to stand on his
course again, when beautiful marine bird,
such as he had never seen before, hovered for