Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-10-20


we were able to 60 out and see what damage
had been done. God help all the poor souls
who have been at sea this night ~ said my
mother, pitifully,
started. was one of those for whom my
mother was praying Had not been to seal
And had mot been wrecked And was it
not all as real as the scene now before me
was frightened, for did not know but that
] might he under witchcrait, of which had
been told much, and which in that part of
the country, was all believedin in. However,
said nothing, but followed my father out of
doors.
A scene of great damage and desolation
there presented itself; the roof had been
blown from the barn the ground was covered
with bricks, and tiles, and branches Of trees
all the lead work from the roof hnd been torn
of, and hung down, twisted like iciclcs. The
garden was laid waste and, in the orchard,
two of our beloved mulberry trees were up
rooted, as well as fine old elm and several
fruit trees
The wind was still too high to make it safe
for us to he abroad tiles and stones, and
branches Of trees, were still, from time to
time, falling about. The damage done by
that storm was fearful, and was recollected
through the country for many years after.
wards.
For weeks we were all too busy repairing
the effects of the storm for any one to bcstow
much attention upon me--but at last, my
father began to complain TINT was good for
nothing, and that went about my work as
if were daaed. My mother agreed that ]
had never bech the sathe Lad since that awful
night, and questioned me whether anything
had hurt my head
The fact was. that the whole tenor Of my
life was broken, and could not take it up
again-l could not forgot my strange dream
was separated from that young lovely young
lady and her mother, who were moro real to
me than the people saw and spoke to every
day. and | left lonely ard miserable. The
White House on the Cliff, and the Scarlet
Rocks what had become of them, Had the
house really been swallowed in the sea-
was consumed by constant sense of disgust
and misery. Tho only hope had wat, that
some night might dream again and hear
what had become Of them all. But | never
dreamed again. and at last | began to loso
my rest.
Every day the dream haunted me more vv-
idly, and when thought should never sec
those two beings more, felt mad and suHo-
Gated with hnfled dcsitc.
At length the change in me grew so alarm
ing, that doctor was called in. lie shook
his head when he saw me, and said must be
sent away from home, have plenty of change
and be kept amused, or should go mad
Whilst my father and mother were shocked
and perplc1ed by what the doctor had said,
and wondering whether going to market with
my father, and a visit for day to the town of
Ledgeley Drayton. would not be the sort of
thing he had recommended, a letter came
Now letter was u very great event in our
house, do not think my father had ever re-
ceived more than three in his life. He would
! l.nt. lott f,r
the next fortnight. if one Of the farm servants
| had not been sent to the town for some horse
medicine, and the post Office chanccd to be
/ next door
/ The letter, written in clear, stiff hand,
proved to be from my uncle at Liverpool-it
stated that he was getting old, and having no
( children, wished to zee me that he and my
! father had seen less of each other than rela-
tions ought. He wanted some one to go and
| look after his estate in Antigua, and if my
father would spare me to him for short time
| lie would make it worth my while. A bank
note for II hundred pounds was enrlo-ed; to
pay ,hc e.pcnnes of my journey, and to buy
some presents for my mother and sister.
There were difficulties raised and objections
made-but | heard the magic word "Livcr-
pool winch was the first stage of my dream
and insisted, resolutely and pissiunately,
on going. Of course, | prevailed. | had
never been from home belvrc, but | felt sure
should find my way. ! was impatient till
| set of-my father SAW me TO the mail, and
] reached Livcrpol Sithout accident, and
with the vague idea that had seen all now
saw of it before.
My uncle was - little dry, spare old man
dressed in snuff colorcd suit, with grey silk
.tocking, and silver bucklcs. lie received me
very kindly land took me about to see the lions
as lie called them. But the Docks were tn,
only sight cared for.
My uncle had u notion-rather u curiou.
one-that having been brought up on my ia
theirs land all my life, | must of necessity
understand how an estate ought TO be mana
ged and this IL why he informed me, one day
that he intended to send me on the voyage t
Antigua.
, obtained my fathers consent, and my un
Gle gave me instructions as to what | was t,
; do when got there. had been accustomed
to look after our men at home, and | knew
/ how my father managed them, 50 that ~ha
, my uncle wanted did not come very strang,
l to me.
f One morning at breakfast, my uncle read
letter, which seemed to please him--he rub
| bed his hands and said,
"Well lad, after breakfast we mus q
b.. down and take your berth. | did think q
!, sending you in the Lively Anne, but it seem
, the Phoebe Sutliffe viii sail first"
c put my hand to my forehead; | did no
Il know which was the dream or which was tn
u reality.
It That day week saw me on board the Phub
g Sutliffe, and clearing out Of the harbor. O
8. just such day, and amid Just such scene
|, as had beheld in my dream.
e But one thing befel me which ! had N,
e taken into account, and Of which / had nc
/ dr'amed-l became dreadfully Sea sick -
o startling novelty, which for the time efet
l. tuaily banished everything but a sense
&c present misery.
When recovered little, went on decl
e My attention was, at that instant, drawn
u II portmantcau which well remembered. =
k handsome young man in foraging ca
was leaning against the side Of the yesso
~ watching flock of sea -gulls; knew him agai
re directly. We were standing near each othe
I'd and he addressed me, as | expected he woul,
n | WAS curious to know what our conyers : 10
10 would be, AS did not, and never could rcco
lect, what he had said when we met in o,
y. former state of existence-I mean in III
l. dream. 1t was ordinary young mems col
(. yersation we began with shooting sca-gull
re and went of upon shooting, and field spor
in general. He told me he was in the arm
he and had been great deal abroad-in Ceylo
We Canada, Hhberalter-and was now on his Wi
to join his regiment in Antigua. | vi
nd delighted to hear it, and waited with plic
| curiosity to see how much more of my dren
te would come true.
r. Towards afternoon, thick fog came or
4; increasing in density until we could not s
he acros, the ship He proposed that we shou
as 60 below. No." said |, " don't 60 below
ne fou forgot how soon the vessel will COZ
te upon us that is to bear us down" A par
ul of mortal fear came into INV heart as | rea
hg zed the terrible moment that lay before u
rr " What are you talking of " said he in
tone Of great surprise. 4" Perhaps the Yes,
Id may not come, said |, - but We had bett
', remain on deck "
x, The words were scarcely spoken, when o
ID vessel struck recollsct hearing horril
ng grating, grinding sound, us # all the plan