Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-01-31
THE SEA CAPTAINS RETURN.
A TALE FOUNDED ON FACT.


Capt.-Potter, of Newport. r. l., was
a wealthy and amiable gentleman whose
family consisted of his wife, The pattern
of virtue, and one daughter, who though
Young, exhibited the beauty Of her moth
er and the vivacity of her father. As
he was experienced in the business of
sea captain, he was offered the command
of vessel, which promised great ad-
vantage. and with great reluctance left
his wife and child to try his fate on that
element whose composure lures to the
gates Of unprophetic destruction. -"
This voyage completed, Capt. p. de-
termined to renounce the fai,hless deep
forever, for the quiet Of his own fireside.
Previous to this departure he took gold
ring from the finger of his wife, and
placed on his own, saying, Should this
return not on the same hand, You may
rest assured that / am among the un
cofined dead Of the ocean, Alas! Mrs.
Potter was doomed to drink deep at the
fountain of woe. Alter waiting the Pc
riod of his expected return, she began
to gaze on every sail that appeared and
egeriy sought. every opportunity to learn
some tidings of her husband, or of tile
fate Of the ship in which he had sailed.
Bot all of her efforts were Intellectual;
the only information that could be, or at
least ever were obtained on the subject,
was from an English vessel which ran
thus:-.May l6, 1895. spoke with the
) Ranger from Newport, Capt. Potter,
master, lat. % deg. 80 min. W. This
indefinite intelligence was far from cheer
ing TO the heavy heart Of Mrs. Potter
When she saw others bithe, it only re-
minded her of her own sadness; and
while others were enjoying the recipro.
city of conjugal society, it pointed to
her 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, sea-
son after season rolled their tiresome
wheels along, until fourteen years had
been added TO the congregated centuries
Of the past; yet no tidings of Capt. Pot.
Ter, no, not even probable conjecture,
concerning the dark my stery of his fate.
% Time, that changes all things, had
worn away the acuteness of Mrs. Pot
ter's gtief, which was far more intense
than il would have been had she really
wept at his grave, and known that his
last moments had been soo,hed by affec-
tion. As this last voya age of the captain
seemed to be near to the unknown coast
she was called the widow Potter. Hav-
ing country seat Of great value, her
hand was sought by many, and so often
rejected, until a bachelor who had resis-
ted the charms Of womankipd for a
quarter as century, was smitten with
the loveliness of this worthy matron, or
with the comellness of her possessions.
Sfre at length consented that her name
should be changed to Morane; the bridal
day was appointed, the arrangements
were made to greet the coming period
with festivity and mirth. The gossips
began 10 be more loquacious than usual;
even the PHLEGMATIc, began TO surmise
that something unusal was about to be
done at the mansion of the widow.
Late in the afternoon of cold stormy
day in November, a penniless beggar
called at neighboring house and inquir.
ed whether the widow Potter lived in this
part of the city. His appearance demo-
ted extreme poverty; his emacia,ed form
was reduced TO skeleton; deep furrows
were drawn in his cheeks, and his frame
seemed TO be snflened in every joint by
disease 0. hardships. Yet there was
something in his eye which told he was
born TO better fortune. Yes said his
informant, Sat the very next door, and
io.night she is to be married.
lis to be married!' said the beggar. T..
How long has her husband bean
dead?' .f.,
.These many long years; he went of
to sea and has not been heard of since.
How has she sustained herself since
her husbands death?'
'She has an unblemished character
Has she any children?' rsH
'One daughter only. fine young lady.
Il must'see her before she is married;
have a communication of importance.
So saying he hurried as fast as his
feeble limbs would allow to the splendid
dwelling oil the widow. The maid be-
ing summoned, & seeing him before her,
was about 10 close the door against him,
bu: the stranger interrupted her by say
ing: l'.ss ~ h.f as t3s9sa a''2
MADAM, may beggar be permitted
20 see the widow Potter!' agapd 3
We expect company TO night; there
fore you must leave Immediately taa
The widow Potter must see.' Es
The maid, who would have been glad
70 dismiss her unsightly guest, began to
be somewhat angry and passionately ex-
claimed: n t9 "a. assr
sBegone; we can't hear you now.'
But the man was still more importu-
nate, and rightly thinking he was moi,
likely gain admittance without making
known his errand, aocCsted the maid still
more earnestly, woman, i have some
tidings Of very grealimportance to COM
municate TO the mistress of this mansion;
which were Uivau tn mo in trnc hv Cop.