Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-08-31


"Ah," said, .t was bold step for one like
you" - sea -
s'Bold!'' she repeated go, 1t was the move
ment of despair. I was doomed to become the
wife of one whom .loathed-one whom knew
to be man of no principle in morality or virtue
1 knew my fathers infexible will, and knew the
influence of my inexorable mother had but
one step left and that was flight. In the wild
frenzy of the moment, resolved to take the steI
T did. knew you would have little opportunity
to see my brother, and that my resemblance tc
him was so near, that little disguise might de-
ceive you.s slept none that night after you left
me at my fathers house. / knew then that you
loved me, and an emotion more wild than before
possessed me. During the night / packed my
trunk, and before daylight moved it to the street
and obtained a coach. / called first upon the pi-
lot, and he had not mistrust of my real charac-
ter. Then | felt more assured You did not
know me, and then only feared the coming oi
my father before the ship could be got off. You
know how narrow that escape was, but you do not
know the exquisite torture that suffered, while
you hesitated about keeping on out from the har-
Dor. have at times felt sorry that I cheated my
brother out of his voyage and also that ran away
with his trunk, but then when remember the
dreadful fate 7 escaped, my regret is turned to
thanks. And you know will forgive me for the
deceit I have practiced upon you. meant to
have continued it through the whole voyage, but
/ fate has ordered it otherwise .-..es-r
1t was no difficult task for me to forgive the
gentle being reclining upon my bosom, nor did
she seem to hesitate about confiding in my faith.
After some deliberation, it was decided that
Rosamond should retain her female attire an
emergency she had not forgotten to provde-and
appear before the men in her true character; for
knew that the mate suspected the truth, and
thought it probable the rest of the men would in
time get hold of it. st --
When went on deck called the men aft, and
in plain, straightforward way told them the
whole story. thought it best to conceal moth
ing from them, indeed, except my own peculiar
interest in the affair, and was gratified to find
that they all fully sympathzed with the girl in
her misfortune. When she came on deck she
was received with the utmost respect, and that
spect not only continued during the whole voy
age, but it ripened into noble, disinterested de-
votion. 2 s - 5H:ssE @.
OF course my supercargo was relieved from
further duty, and I took all the papers into my
care Is it a wonder that Rosamond and myself
sometimes talked of love! And yet tell the
truth, when say that / had not fully made up my
hopes of ever possessing her; for had made her
promise that she should return to her father, and
trust her fate in his hands once more. / knew.
tn at the old merchant was man of naturally
good feelings, believed that the present event
would be lesson notlost upon him.. But Unjust
confess, however, that my heart would beat most
painfully when thought that the old gentleman
might after all, overlook my claim in his forgive
ness of his child. ~ @s aaae
Over year had passed when my ship again
entered her home-po All hands were healthy
and without being subjected to quarantine, was
allowed at once to run her up the harbor. ex-
pected that Mr.. Malet would have been the first
to come aboard, but he did not come. 1t was dusk
when took Rosamond on shore, and easily pro-
cured carriage to carry her to her fathers dwell
ing We spoke not on the way. My heart was
too full of doubts and fears, and could feel that
my companion trembled violently.
| At length we reached the merchants mansion,
and rang the door-belI. asked the servant
who answered the summons, if Mr.. Mallet was at
| home. He answered in the affirmative, and with
out further remark or hesitation, took Rosamond
| by the hand and conducted her to the drawing
room The old gentleman was there alone. He
started to his feet as we entered and with sup
pressed cry the fair girl sprang towards him. He
pressed her to his bosom with an instructive move
ment, and his gaze was fixed upon me with look
Of calm contempt. #z
"Captain Palmer,'' he said in hoarse whisper,
eyou do,weH to bring me back my child now
now that you have made her worthless o,
dreampt not that you were such villain"
eFather father!" cried Rosamond, with al
the energy she mistress Of "you know moi
4 what you say Listen to me. Twill tell you all.
.sNot in his presence,' said the father
. sThen be it where you will; only speak not o.
him again till you,know all.'' s.-.a,--
Mr.. Mallet hesitated a.few moments, and ther
t he led his daughter from the room. They wer'
gone long hour, and during that time suffered
more than can tell. ....
At length they came back. Rosamond's fac
beamed with Joy. And I could see that big tear
i had been rolling down the old mans cheeks
! Mrs Mallet came with them, and even she looke
e more happy than 1 had ever seen her before.
.Captain Palmer" said the merchant, walkin
I directly to where l Stood, and taking my hanC
e "Rosamond has told me all. Forgive me ifI hav
0 wronged you, for did it ignorantly. Here, tax
this, and my blessing goes with it.'' l
: The old mans voice choked, and he coul
speak no more, but the thing he gave me was tn
3 fair warm hand of his daughter. tried to spea
: but could not. clasped Rosamond to my bosor