Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-12-02
ROMANCE IN REALITY

young man left his native city, Phila-
delphia, to seek his fortune in New York
then only the shadow of its present great
ness. Finding early employment, his in
tention was to remain: but very soon,
his quiet was disturbed by an offer of a
situation in the city of Maracaibo, from
gentleman who had witnessed hic steady
habits and business capacities. The de-
sire to see the world, so strong in the
minds of all young Americans, together
with increased cmolument, soon mani
tested itself in young r. accepting the
situation. The brig Diamond was then
loading for the island and in accordance
with the agreement, it was necessary to
take passage in her. The appointed day
found him on the wharf, ready to take
his departure. The porter had Just de-
posted his trunk on the vessels deck,
when 4 gentleman, who had been watch
ing the young mans movements, stepped
up and inquired whether they were to
have the pleasure of each others compa-
ny on so long and tedious a voyage, as
all such voyages usually were at that
day. Receiving an answer in the affirm
ative, they were soon engaged in friendly
converse.
The gentleman was a resident of the
place and we'll acquainted with the peo,
pie. AS natural consequence, young
r. had many anxious inquiries to make
i'll regard to the people, climate, &C.: and
especially in reference to his new employ.
ers, when what was surprise and amaze.
ment to hear, that although men of prop.
erty and respectability, they were negroes
of the blacklist dye. In moment his
mind was made up what course to pur.
sue, under these new developments. As
the color of his employers wgs a matter
of considerable Importance to him, and
nothing had been mentioned, in the agree.
ment, of this singular feature, he felt hm-
self absolved from all obligations to fulfil
his engagement and in few moments
his baggage was again on the wharf
And when the brig unfurled her sails to
the breeze, it was with one less than her
anticipated number of passengers.
Those who stood on the wharf that fine
November morning, watching the white
sails as they blended with the horizon
around, saw her for the last time.
Months rolledaway: every probability
that ingenuity could devise had been ab
Sorbed i'll accounting for her protractcd
voyage. Mothers and sisters had received
every fresh suggestion of her probable
safety, with avidity; but hope, that
sweet anchor to the soul, finally sue
cunbcd to despair, when after the lapse
of a year, all admitted that no chances
for her safety were left.
The good brig Diamond with her pas
sengcrs and crew, were remembered
among the things that were.
Eight or ten years after, Gibbs, the
celebrated pirate, made a confession OF
his crime and then was the first intima-
ton given Of the unfortunate fate of that
goodly vessel. Gibbs and his insulated
crew had taken posscsSior of her by
stratagem, murdered every soul on board
and then scuttled her. How truly may
it be said, "There's a divinity that Shapes
our ends, rough hew them as we will"
The subject Of this sketch, setting
forth, so clearly, the uncertainties of life
is still living, while those who were to
have been his companions ON that disas.
trous voyage to Maracaibo have been long
since forgotten.
He is styled by those fond of making
worldly distinctions, one of the merchant
princes of New York; but he is the same
at heart; kind, generous and true, as at
the moment he stepped from the deck O
that ill-iated brig, thereby escaping pre-
maturedeath: nor has he ever vet forgotten
the divinity that shaped his happier lot
Model american Courier.