Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-02-04
4 Select Gale.
THE BRIDE OF THE WRECK.

81 was a lonely sort OF bachelor, and
had never yet known what young men style
'the passion OF passion i had enough, as
my old mate yonder can tell you. / broke
his head twice, and his arm once, in fits Of
it but he has always seemed to love me all
the better, and he clings to me now very
much as two pieces Of the same ship cling
together when drifting at sea. We are the
sole survivors of thousand wrecks, and Of
Ihe gallant company that sailed with us
two years ago, no other one is left aHoat.
had been a sailor from boyhood, and when
was twenty-five, may safely say nc man
was more fit TO command vessel among
the mariners Of England. And at this time
my uncle died and left me fortune.
had never seen him, and hardly knew of
his existence but had now speaking evil
dence of the fact that he existed, and equal
ly good proof that he existed no longer. !
was very young, strong in limb, and think
stout in heart, and was possessed Of u rem
tai OF some thousands per annum. What
bar was there to my enjoyment Of the
goods OF life No bar, indeed, but felt
sorely the lack of means Of enjoyment. l
was sailor in every sense. My education
was tolerable, and had read some books;
but my tastes were nautical, and pined
on shore. You will easily understand,
then, why II was that built yacht and
spent most ol my time on her. She was
fine craft, suited 10 my taste in every res
pect, and | remember with sigh, now,
the happy days have spent in the Foam.
used TO read considerably in my cabin,
and occasionally, indeed weekly, invited
parties of gentleman to cruise with me-
But the foot of lady had never been on
the deck OF my boat, and began to have
an old bachelors pride in that fact. Yet
| confess to yon secret longing for some
sort of affection different from any / hac
heretofore known, and reslessness wher
men talked of beautiful women in my
presence.
"One summer evening was at the olt
hall in which my uncle had died, and wa
entirely alone. Towards sunset was sur
prised, while looking over my books, BY
the entrance of gentleman, hastily an
nounced, and giving indications of no littl'
excitement.
"Your pardon, sir, for my unceremoni
Gus entrance. My horses have run ava,
with my carriage, and dashed it to pieces
near your park gate. My father was badl,
injured, and my sister is now watching
him. l have taken the liberty TO ask you
permission to bring him to your residence.
"Of course my consent was Instant,
given, and my own carriage despatched t
the park gate
"Mr. Sinclair was gentleman of for
tune, residing about forty miles from me
and his father, an invalid, fifty yearsor NOR
of age, was on his way, in company wit
his son TO that sons house there to die an
be buried. They were strangers to mt
but made them welcome TO my house q
if it were their own, and insisted on thel
using il.
"Miss Sinclair was the first woman wh
had crossed my door-stone, since Ihad bee
the possessor of the hall. And we'll migf
she have been loved by better men than
She was very small and very beautiful
the size Of Venus, which all men worshi
as the perfection of womanIy beauty, bl
!. having asott blue eye, strangely shaded :
let black brows. Her face presented II
contrast of purity of whiteness in the con
plexlon set of by raven hair, and vet tn
hair hanging in clustering curls, unbour
by comb or 6llet, and the whole face
up with an expression of gentle trust, al
complete confidence, either in all aroui