Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-09-14
nlisfeIInneous.
THE YOUNG SEA CAPTAIN.
BY THE AUTHOR OF MAY MARTIN.

BY THE AUTHOR OF MAY MARTIN.
The following tale, though published among
the authors minor productions, may yet be new
to many of che readers of the Freeman, and de-
rive, perhaps, an additional interest to all, from
the fact that the incidents were received from a
cultivated lady of Massachusetts,, to whom they
were personally known. Ed.
The traveller, in making the tour of New
England, as he journeys along through that
clustering range of smiling villages, which, like
starry belt of the heavens stretches round
her peopled coasts, extending back many miles
inland one way and in ;,n almost unbroken
chain the other, from the p pobscot to the Iiud-
son, will often find his attention attracted by
some beautiful residence, standing, perhaps aloof
from all others, on conspicuous elevation, or
some eligible spot, and SO far outsiining them
in the air of wealth, taste and comfort that
seems to surround it, as generally to excite the
curious desire to know something of the char
actcr AMI fortune Of the owner at least, of so
imposing an establishment. And scarcely less
often will we find on inquiry, that it is, or has
been, the residence of retired sea captain, who
having made fortune by professional services
and trade on the pcrilous deep, has come here
to spend and enjoy it, with the remainder of his
days, in the comparatively tranquil scenes of
village-life. Well, who is better entitled to en-
Joy the fortune he has made, both on account
of the tolls, responsibilities and dangers he has
passed through in accumulating it, and the hon
est deserts of his character, than sgenerally the
sea cap, ain For we do not believe, edo
not speak without somewhat extended acquain-
tance we do not believe that u worthier class
of men can be found, Ia class of men who pos
sess, as body, more Of the substantial virtues,]
who are more uninauenced in their acts by the
sordid calculations of self or who are more alive
to the calls of humanity. when they take their
stand in society, than that of the masters of all
the higher grades of our mercantile vessels
Nor is it very strange that they are so; they
have baen sehoolad to a life of important trusts
and responsibilities, in which strict integrity
and correct habits are made the test of success,
while the scenes of trial and danger they 80
frequently experience have tended to teach them
their dependence on Providence, and make them
feel for the wants and sufferings Of their fellow
men.
We once had the pleasure Of forming an ac-
quantance with gentleman of thisclass, whom
We found in the enviable situation above des-
cribed, and whose romantic and singularly good
unc,-seemingly the natural result, in his
situation, Of q trustworthy and benevolent char
acter,-would well warrant an enlargement into
volume, instead of the brief and simple mar
ration in which we propose to give them
Capt. Lotion was, emphatically the architect
of his own fortune. Losing his last remaining
parent at the age of sixteen, and being thus
thrown entirely on his own resources, he left his
native place, ,one of the interior towns of Massa-
chusetts, and, without friend to recommend
or introduce him, without money, except few
dollars earned for the premeditatcd journey,
and with no other than common school educa-
ton, confidently set out on foot and alone for
Boston, resolved on engaging in u scafaring life.
He was not long, on reaching that place, in
finding situation in merchant vessel, and he
unhesitatingly entered as a raw hand, at the
wages the owner was pleased to offer him. His
first spare dollar was laid out for a work on
navigation, and so intently did he apply himself
to study, while becomning acquainted with
the practical part of his profession and so rap
idly did he win the confidence of all by whom
he was known, that at eighteen he was mate,
and at nineteen the master of vessel trading
between Boston and Havana, at which last
mentioned place his good conduct, together with
his prepossessing exterior and youthfulness, at.
. tracted much notice, and gained for him the
appellation of the handsome and trusty Yam
kee boy captain"
One day in the early part of his career as
> commander, as he was walking the streets Of
that great emporium of the West Indies, from
which his vessel was then on the point of sail
i ing on her homeward passage, he noticed wei
-, dressed female, with large work-basket in hel
: hand, walking near him in the same direction
Q The circumstance did not at first particular,
0 attract his attention; but pereeiving, after 60
ing some distance, that she was still near, anC
making us he fincied, some effort to keep plc,
9 with him, he slackened his speed and fnall,
: turned round, and, courteously addressing her
asked if she was going his way, naming th
'' public house at which he lodged. She was
and, perhaps, should call at least, she hac
'f thought of caling.at the very house he ha,
0 mentioned; !" she replied in u soft, tremulou
d tone, as she looked up timidly on the inquirer
e displaying fair, pale face, in which the trace
e of subdued sorrow and suffering were sufficient
e ly visible to give eloquent effect to countenanc
~ of great beauty and sweetness,
o Captain Lotion waa at oncc touched with pit
If by her appearance, and, in a tone Of kintnes
S. rather than of gallantry, he immediately oflel
D. ed his services in carrying her basket. 10 th
N she silently assented, and he took the bask,
re from her hand, little dreaming what to his f,
70 turs destiny would be the consequence of tn
70 act of that moment. He could not but notjc
!, however, that, as she delivered him her burdel
ls she seemed greatly agitated, and manifested