The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-03-07
Never Despair

In 1870, Name had, here and there, scantV
settlements along the coast, and on the banks
of beautiful rivers, whose sources had never
been touched, or tracked by the white man
Near the mouth of one of those streams which
flow broad and deep into the sea, was Pema-
quid.
There lived, long ago, family of the early
settlers of New England. It consisted, accor-
ding to veritable history, Eve refer to Holmes
annals of twenty-six children William one
of the youngest sons, is the hero of our tale.
He was a hardy, brave and daring boy. He
had fair, open countenance, which disclosed
among other desirable qualities, energy and a
fixed and stubborn will, TO accomplish whatever
he deemed it worth while to undertake. His
manners might seem rude in brilliant dress
party Of the present day, and to partake more
of the rough run of the woods, than the culture
of fashion.
At the age of seventeen, he commenced a
trade with a ship carpenter. He quickly
proved his ready ability and inclination to do
his duty. Still he found time to fall in love
with his masters daughter sweet and gentle
girl, yet of strong mind, in whose society he
was thrown. He had gained her affection and
confidence before his master knew how great
an inroad had been made in his daughters
heart.
The mother was at once notified, and en-
ragged that her "only daughter should throw
herself away upon poor apprentice Like
all good mothers, who forget they were once
young, Mrs. Mason did not remember that the
more she meddled with such delicate webs the
more tangled they become She had no sooner
satisfied herself that the young couple were in
earnest, and that Mary could not be moved
from her affection by her mothers opposition
and anger than she assaed her husband in no
gentle manner She insisted upon dismissing
William, and thus break the connexion She
would not suffer such things, and he ought not
to permit them, she enlarged upon the certain
disgrace Of Marys marrying one so much
below her in birth and expectation. She had
many hopes that her daughter, so beautiful and
fair, would some day form connexion with one
of the wealthy families of Baltimore, where
her relatives chiefly resided
Mr.. Mason had learned from sad experience,
extending over period of years, that how
ever much he might order his business out Of
doors, within the Threshold his dominion
ceased At home Claude reigned with undis-
puted sway, and SO he submitted to lose good
and profitable apprentice, thath might prevent
his becoming son-in law, although it was diff
cult for the father of Mary to see why William
would not make a respectable husband. He
was not, however, allowed to rest until he had
fairly turned the poor fellow out of DOORS
William, with bursting heart, had only the
opportunity to clasp Mary to his arms for
moment, and as their hearts beat high with the
purest affection, they vowed before God, never
to marry unless they could be united to each
other.
II shall leave the country" said he, II
shall brave the storm and the sea, and seek in
foreign lands, that fortune which is necessary
for our union, with your mothers consent"
Her feelings were calm and deep, and she
was as fixed as the mountain in her purposes,
and she told him So 'sCome back" said
Mary, "when you can and you shall find my
heart as truly yours us ever, if live; seek my
grave stone if dead, and you shall find the re-
cord of my maiden name"
William did not rave and tear his hair, nor
did Mary faint, and languish, after the approved
style of Bulwer James. He did not threaten
to take her from her home and live on love in
mountain cot upon the wood crowned SUBMITS
of Maine He, in fact, how unsentimental he
was, did not swear to shuttle off this mortal
coil, by the direct agency Of pining, powder,
or poison. But after the first agony Of separa-
ton and dash of his youthful dreams and early
hopes had passed, he determined to be man,
and achieve victory, by his energy and sue
cess, over the daughter by more endearing
qualities.
William departed for Boston. Ere long he
ascertained that ship was soon to sail for Lon
don, he engaged as common sailor before
the mast and soon acquired a aknoWledge of his
duties. A heavy gale came on as they sighted
the coast of Ireland. They struggled for
twelve hours to keep the ship from going ashore,
having done all that was possible for man to
do,in anxiety and despair they awaited the re-
suit. They drifted on a lee shore and as she
struck, the sea made breach over her from
stem to stern, and carried away almost every
man on her deck. William clungto the rigging
until her masts had gone and taken with them
beneath the surging waves each other sailor
AS the vessel was breaking up, by the force of
the waves and by humping on the rocks, he
felt that now his hour was come, and his
thoughts, with an intensity which concentrates
within a moment whole years OF memory, flew
to the home of his childhood and the haunts of
bis early love, and as the image Of Mary stood
out before him-a stihed agony sought expires
sion and burst in grief from his heart "Fare-
well Mary" he said, but the roaring winds
needed him not, and the rude rocks rent the
Ship, and the waves danced in wild and crested
Foam around him. But as the morning broke
and the beach seemed but little distance, hope
revived in his heart, if the ship could but hold
ogether little longer Just then he heard the
shrek of female voice, that appeared to be
at the entrance of the cabin, which had burst
'pen by the working of the vessel, and looking
n that direction, he saw beautiful woman
passenger who had spoken kind words to
i'm upon the voyage. The water in the cabin
lad driven her upon deck, where she had stood
n speechless agony till now. He rushed for
ward and grasped her in his arms, for a wave
vas coming and the ship was breaking up be-
leath their feet, its heavy timbers were split
nto fragments, which the seas tossed far and
vide. He sprang over the side upon the boz
ON Of the rolling waves which dashed shore
ward and cast him almost lifeless upon the
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