Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1853-05-19

ana east WI MS eyes had swept The whole hoF
ison. and he had satisfied himself that The sbir
was no longer in view be then turned fullyy
round, ane with an affected gaiety, but real
uneasiness which was apparent in the random
character OF his remarks, drew out his glass,
and having by long and serutinising examina.
lion, satisfied his fears, at length recovered bis
cOmpOsure.
When we reached our destination, found a
ship just preparing to sail for Florence, and /
took my passage, leaving the captain to dispose
oil his cargo at bis pleasure. About eight
months alter this, when had almost forgotten
the occurrence, was sitting in the private par
lor Of London hotel, when a letter was nut
into my hands from Captain s.. 1t stated
that the writer, who was in the city, had heard
Of my arrival, and would esteem il a very great
kindness if | would visit him at my earliest lei
sure my coming would be of the utmost inn
\ porta1ee to himself and others his servant. Il
added, waited to show me the way. imme-
diately set out to comply with the request.
Upon entering the room, was shocked at
the change which had taken place in bis appear
ance. He was thin, pale. and haggard, with a
wildness Of eye that almost indicated that his
reason was unsettled. He testified much ioy
at seeing me, and desiring me to be seated, be-
gan his communication.
81 have taken the liberty" said he, "of de-
string your company at this time, because you
are the only person in London TO whom l can
venture to make application and am going
to lay upon you commission, to which am
sure you will not object. The circumstances of
our voyage to Marseilles will occur to your
mind without my repeating them. sold my
cargo upon the most advantageous terms, and
was rendered at once rich man. The posses
sion of wealth was new to me, and its eniov-
ment added, in my case to its usual qualification
the charm Of novelty. In the capital of p aris
| spent many weeks of the highest pleasure,
until one day on entering a CQfe, | took I'D
gazette, and my eyes fell upon an account of the
awful burning Of British man of war. The
announcement fell upon me like the bolt ofheav-
en-. My heart beat and my frame shivered,
but read every word in the article The YES
sci which passed the day before had seen the
light from great distance and Immediately put
back to render assistance, but arrived too late
to rescue more than two of the crew. They re-
ported that a vesselpassed to the north Of them
within half an hours sail, but paid no regard
to the repeated signals upon the commander
of that ship, the article concluded must rest the
loss of 200 persons.
"My peace Of mind was gone for ever. -
My ingenuity could devise no sophstry which
suggested comfort Wherever went that
day was haunted by remorse. | retired to
bed, that | might forget in sleep the tortures of
the day buta terrific dream brought before
my mind the whole scene of the confagraton
with the roar of the signal-guns. | awoke with
horror Thrice on the same nIgHVuTd compose
myself to sleep, ahd thrice was | awakned by
the repetition of the dream. For many hours
on the succeeding day my spirits were shock
ingly depressed, but the gay company which
frequented gradually restored me to serenity,
and by night was tolerably composed. But
the evening again brought terror; the same
vision rushed upon my mind and racked it to |
agony whenever fell into a slumber. Per-
ceiving that if yielded to this band of torment
ors should quickly be maddened by suffering
| resolved to quit remorse, and to harden my
heart against conscience. l succeed always, |
when awake, in mastering the emotion but no
power on earth could shield me from the torments
ofseep. Imagining at length that the PROSTATE
position Of my bed might be one cause of the
vividness of my dreams, took the resolution
of sleeping upright in chair, while my servant
watched by me. But no sooner did my head
drop upon my breast in incpient slumber, than
the fire again tortured my BRAIN the booming
guns again rang upon my inward ear. sought
all diversions wandered over Europe. seek
ing to relieve myself from the domination of I
this fancy by perpetual change of sights and /
succession of sounds, but in vain. Daily the |
horrid picture more and more ensaved my i'm
agination until at length even in waking while |
my eye rested on vacancy burning ship was
painted in the air and with my waking ears
heard the eternal guns The horror has absorb
ed my being | am separated by a circle Of fire
from the world l breathe the sitting air of hell. |
Even now see nothing but the wide sea and
the incessant flame upon it hear now the ag-
onizing signals-boom boom p
The unfortunate man paused for moment, !
and never yet saw such anguish upon human
face. He resumed in few moments his account.
''This must soon end. know shall not
survive many hours. am dying of raging
fever but will have no advice or assistance.
The purpose for which l have sent for you is
briefly this the whole sum of money which
gained by my ships cargo is in the Bank of
England. shall order in my will that every
cent of it be at your disposal l wish you to
discover the families of those who perished in
this vessel you will learn their names by in
quring at the Admiralty Distribute to them
every cent of this money. You will not deny
the last request of dying man promise me
that you will faithfully perform my wish"
Igave him the. promise which he desired,
and left him.
Tha. night Captain s. was no more.
FpMA1r Surva1p M .vrps A Hanover conn.