The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-05-04


Some wears ago had command of a ship
engsged in the East India trade. My first OF
6cer, or mate, was named Mark Marshall
Hs.had shipped with me at Liverpool to run
10 Calcutta, but on the passage out my male
died, and having found Marshall most ex-
cellent seaman, both theoretically and pract-
cally, gave him the Office. Tie readily &C
cepted it, but | could plainly see that he did
it more from desire to please me, than be
cause he aspired TO the post was not de-
ceivad In his capabllity, for he soon proved
himself the most efficient officer | ever had.
He altered the ships sailing gear, and made
more speed by one-sixth, certainly. than
had ever done He was punctual to minute
in his reckoning-could tell to a certainty
what time he should make. When we were
near our destination, he came TO me one even
ing and told me that if the wind held fair we
should see Edmonstone's Island at halt past
six on the following morning; and at twenty
eight minutes past SIX In the morning, the
look out reported land two points on the star,
board bow.
He was one of the most civil and gentle
manly men | ever saw, and his manners
showed that he had been well educated, both
mentally and socially. Yet there was one
| should say. puzzled ms-though l must
confess l did at times allow myself to feel
somewhat troubled. My mate was one Of the
most silent men, for one who commanded the
free use OF language, that ever met with
He scarcely ever spoke except on matters per-
tanning to his duty, and then only in as few
words as possible. | often tried TO draw him
into conversation, but without avail. tried
to learn something of his former history, but
could not | knew he was an American and
that was all.
One evening after we had entered the
Hoogly. and while ship lay at Diamond
Point was sitting in my cabin and Marshall
was alone with me- pushed the wine bot
tie over to him and asked him if he would
not take a drop. had never seen him take
wine at any time. but he had often refused
He took glass, and then he held the glass up
between his eyes and the lamp. His face
turned pale as death. and his lips were tightly
compressed The glass fell from his hand
upon the floor and was broken into a thous-
and pieces.
"Mr. Marshall. are you not well?'' | uttered
starting UP and laying my hand upon his
arm.
VERY well" be returned laying my hand
off and looking up with faint smile, "1 ou
That's nothing. .">said | alluding TO the
glass. take another-here."
"No, no. he quickly uttered putting the
glass away Il do not drink. sir"
''You have signed tetotal pledge. per
haps," said |. carslessly.
''Signed tetotal pledge" he repeated in a
tone SO strange that il fairly made me start
Then why not take q glass of wine on
such a night as this"
Marshall looked at me as though he would
look through. There was strange
sparkle in his eye, and | could see that his
cheek grew pale again. His hand trembled
and he placed it in his lap out Of my sight
He at length spoke, and his voice was very
low and deep.
Captain" said he. .'in that wine there
turks demon as deadly as the twin brothers
of Night. You may yet escape him and en-
brace. | will hot drink it,
''Bu. YOU have-'
Stop he whispered. cutting me short,
and raising his finger. '.Never finish that
sentence In my presence, nor allude 10 tha:
subject again
And with that he broke off upon another
topic, and began TO Law out the business for
the morrow. The lighters will come down
from the city early in the morning." he said
and as must be up 10 attend TO them, Will
retire now"
fairly ached to question my mate further
on his strange conduct. but his look forbade
me. He threw off his outer garments and
retired to his state room, snd was left alone
to my wine. l looked at the bottle. and then
looked A. the fragments Of glass upon The
noor-snd | wondered what it Was that dwelt
upon my macs mind for well knew there
was something. When | rose 10 60 on deck
TO set the watch, | hoped that some dav Mar
shaI might let me into his secret. for had
become deeply interested in him. l had
learned TO love him for his gentleuess and
mldness, and hoped to know more of him
Ii may have been faint hone but We, I
cherished ID.
Our business WAS all transacted at Cslcu,ta
and had partly made arrangements for full
cargo of hides. when l received an overl.n
dispatch from my owners to proceed at once
to Hong Kong and take in cargo which az
agent would have ready there. SO TO Hons
hong we went
oae day after we had taken par. Of ou
cargo on board. and were waiting for more
TO come from the English factories At Canton
an Old man came off 10 the ship with letter
irom the kasiish agent read the few line.
and they simply asked that l would take the
oearer to England. Nv mae was not or
ooafd. or Should have consulted him. but
tue Old man was very respectable in his sp-
pearanee. aud At once told him that he shoui,!
go with me. There was three SPARE state
rooms aud immediately gave him one. He
had ms luggage brought up from the boat An
Placed IN his room. He was certainly sew.
eGty wears Of acra and he;