Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-05-31
THE TREMBLING EYELID.

THE TREMBLING EYELID.
The following simple narrative is from the
pen of Mrs. Sigournoy, of Hartford, Connecti-
cut We publish it as record of actual, not
of possible, events, without any of the adorn-
mcnts of fiction, and interesting because of its
truth, and also because of the practical lesson
which it teacles--the Importance, when exposed
to severe and protracted cold, of entire absti-
nenco from intoxicating liquors 1t is very
prevalent delusion-often fatal one--that these
drinks enable the user more successfully to resist
the cold But we will not here 60 into the
philosophy of the matter, but commend the fact,
as taught in this sad story, to the consideration
of our readers:
1t was the day before Christmas, l77S, that
during the war of the Revolution, an armed yes
sci sailed out of the port of Boston, U. S.
She was strongly built and carried twenty guns,
with we'll appointed crew of more than one
hundred. and provisions for cruise of six
months. As she spread her broad white sails
and steered from the harbor, with fresh breeze
she made a noble appearance. Many throbbing
hearts breathed blessing on her voyage, for
she bore company of as bold and skillful sea-
men as ever dared the deep. But soon the north
wind blew, and brought a heavy sea into the
bay. The night proved dark, and they anchored
with great difficulty near Plymouth harbor.-
The strong gale that buffeted them became
storm, and the storm a hurricane. Snow fell,
land the cold Eas terribly severe ISc vessel
was driven from her mooriags, and ss|k ii on
reef of rocks. She began to fill with }vatcr and
they were obliged to cut away the masts The
saa rose above the main deck, sweeping over it
at every surge. They made every exertion that
couaage could prompt, or hardihood endure, but
so fearful was the wind and cold, that the strong
est man was not able to strike more than two
blows in cutting away the mast, without being
relieved by another. The wretched people
thronged together on tho quarter deck, which
was crowded almost to sufocation. They were
exhausted with toll and suffering, and could OBJ
tain neither provisions nor fresh water but,un-
fortunately, the crew got access to ardent spr-
its, and many of them drank to intoxicatlon !;
insubordination, mutiny and madness ensued,
The officers remained clcar-minded, but lost all
authority over the crew who raycd about them
A more frightful scene can scarcely be imagined
the dark sky-tho raging storm-the waves
breaking wildly over the rocks. and threatening
every moment to swallow up tho broken vessel,
Q and the half frozen beinge who maintained their
icy hold on life, lost to reason or duty or fight
!, ing fercely with each other Some lay in dis
gushing stupidity; others, with fiery faces, BIAS
is pheming God. Some in temporary delirium,
- fancied themselves in palaces, surrounded by
II luxury, and brutally abused the servants who
they supposed refused to do their bidding Others
n there were, who, amid the beating of that pitt
c less Storm believed themselves in the homes they
IS never more must see, and with hollow reproach
lie full voices. besought bread, and wondered why
Of water was withheld by the hands they held
t, most dear A few, whose worst passions wert
F. quickened by alcohol to end-like fury, assault
Or ed or wounded those who camein their way ,lnak
ing their shrieks of defiance and their curses
~ heard above the storm. Intemperance never dis
IN played itself in more distressing attitudes. A
w length death began to do his work. Some o
the miserable creatures fell dead each bour upol
en- the deck, being frozen stiff ana md. Eacl
lie corpse as it became breathless was laid upon tn
n heap of dead, that more space might be left 70
a the survivors; those who drank most ireel
at were the first to perish,
H. On third day of these horrors, the inhabitant
m- of Plymouth, after making many Intellectual a
'se tempts reached the wreck, not without danger
nc What melancholy spectacle Lifeless bodie
w. stifaned in every form that suffering could d'
et- vise Many lay in vast pile; Others sat wit
ai- their heads reclining on their knees othe
"'' grasping the ice covered ropes some in pos
uro of defence like the dying gladiator; othe
me- with hands held up to heaven, as if deprecatr
me their fate.
Orders were given to search earnestly for e
.0 cry sign Of life. One boy was distinguish
fu' among the mass of the dead, only by the trem
o's ling of one Of his eyelids.
anu The poor survivors were kindly received in
W the houses of Plymyuth, and every effort us,
'0u for their restoration. The captain, lientenan
and few others, who had abstained from Il
In use of ardent spirits survived The remand
tho were buried some in seperate graves, and othe
lied in large pit, whose hollow is still to be Sc
the on the southwest side of the burial ground
ely Plymouth.
MS The funeral obsequies were most solemn.
luc- When the clergyman who was to perform t
sist last service, first entered and saw more than
yed enty dead bodies, some fixing on him their sto
eyes, and others with faces stifened into the h