Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-04-26


that theft had been committed. The super.
cargo's STATE fooui had been entered, and the
pockets Of a pair Of rantaloons riaed Of a
email sum in gold. The steward and his
premises had been searched and nohing die.
covered to confirm susuic' ons. AS the steer
age communicated with the cabin, and as all
indiscrminately had free iDgress and egress
to The former place, all were liable to suspi-
cion, and each must consent to the searching
Of his Clothing. All were indignant at the
suspicion, and eagerly demanded the search.
The pet was at the helm when the Exit was
oycrhoultd without afording clue to the
theft or robber, the faees OF officers and men
frightened Imagine the etlints Of oil,
when, 10 the ch. si of the tavorite, wrapped
in colored rag, was found the lost gold.
II ever men seemed pr,ne to doubt their
sense, here was an instance. Nothing short
of proof like this could rave raised suspi-
con even as to the honesty OF hims who now,
in the minds Of all, stood convicted Poor
lad---uncOnscous of the deed he was in cer-
tain measure found guilty Of, as he pursued
his task his mind was freer of care than any
of his companions. lie was ordered 10 relin.
raigned upon the quarter deck, in presence of
all on board, accused Of ,het: and the light
hearted and happy of the moment previous,
was now ordered to solitary confinement in
tile sail room abat, and judged guilty to await
punishment. He protested his innocence
with sobs and tears; but there was nothing
he could advance to reIute the testimony
aganst him. The flushed cheek and conGu-
sed manner arising from shame, were impu-
ted to guilt; and the only kind word address.
ed him by his judges, was the piomise Of a
mitigation of punishment if he wo, Id confess
his guilt. His response of innocence was un-
believed, and, considered as one hardened in
sin, he was hurried below.
Heavy at heart were the worthy forpmast
hands, but there was one still heavier; the pal
lid cheek aud settled irown OF the master, to.
gether with his hurried walk, told Of the in
ner man.
Two or three days had elapsed and still
the crew had been spared witnessing the de-
grading punishment they felt it would Se the
10, of the lad to receive, and hopes were ari-
sing in the bosoin of most that they would
be spared the sight of the application of the
ashland that confinement aud "a civil pro-
cess at the end Of the voyage would be allow
ed to supcrcede the barbaruus custom.
But those hnpas were disspated by The Cap
tain to the effect that 'he even had entertain
ed a delusve feeling that something might
occur, or some hidden fact be brought to light
to weaken the proof against the boy. New
er since have been master OF a vessel, have
been placed in such trying situaton:--
were he a son of mine, my feelings could not
be more poignant. We will; wait lorger yet
with the same hopes, but if at the end of this
week no new light is gained. were he ten
times my son, he must be logged!"
The dreaded day came, and as the men
turned their dogged looks to the clear blue
sky, it seemed as tn )ugh they would rebuke
nature for wearing an aspect so lily according
with their feelings. Silently and sadly length
ened did the hours drag. Twas now late in
the afternoon when the suppressed voice OF
the mate summoned all hands to witness the
punishment. As they assembled, they wore
more the look of cuprits than many bona iide
criminals could assume. The rough manner
and hardy beurng Of the sailor had become
lost in the ascendancy OF their finer feelings
OF rien. Men, apparently calluus TO grle!,
who would have suffered the arDputation Of q
! limb without groan, or looked death on a
lee shore in the face without u shudder, forgot
they ever assumed the bearing Of the stole, L.
now congregatcd in tears
| Il could have sowed that lad up in his
hammock, aye, or tipped 'se plank that
| launched his corpse TO Davy, without blub-
berng: but as to this here, say shiyer the
man that Sar see it with dry eye
I All felt with tie speaker, aud the example
OF an older man gave tree license TO tears,
to which the brouzed faces of the mass were
unwonted. Unresting stood or rathsr was
supported, the boy his extended arms ae-
cured by siezings from the shrouds, his weak
ened frame, swollen eye, palid check, aud
Il roLbiDe breast, told of his sufferings, past
and present word or look only, and he
would be lie veled with the degraded brute
Say that you are guilty, exclaimed the
master 'and the lash shall not touch your
back! Own it and you shall be forgiven! Il
cannot Before God and man am innocen,!' ,
The Captain turned, and buried his face in
his handkerchief At his feet was his son
grasping his knees, and rxclaiming, innocent
indeed he ISL
Take sway this boy--take him below--he
may be spared what it is my du'y to witness.
The cook stepped forward to execute his
bidding The boy refused to loosen his
grasp while the cook was struggling ic vaid
endeayors to remove him, he was suddenly
seized by the captain, and thrown to the
deck, with stunning violence.
Seize this black vllain Seize him say'
AS with the countenance of mad-man he re-
garded the PROSTATE negro. Ere other hands
could execute his bid ling, the cook writhed
beneath his muscular grasp. wretch J have
caught you AT last! !-dont appeal for mercy
don't dare to turn a supplant look! know
, it! feel confident Of it," and shouting ecu,
down the boy!' He fell faintins into the
, arms of the men.
twas, however, but momentery weak
, ness; recovering he called for the boy, ant
embracing him said
, 'But moment ago declared we're you my
: son must do what conceived my duty.
/. now say before all, forgive my unjust suspi
cinna and I will ba n father indeed