Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-04-18

Marshall might let me into his secret, for
had become deeply interested in him. ]
had learned to love him for his gentleness
and midness, and | hoped to know more
of him. 1t may have been faint hope,
but yet l cherished it.
Our business was all transacted at Cal
cutta, and | had partly made arrange
ments for full cargo of hides, when re-
ceived an overland despatch from my own
ers to proceed at once to Hong Kong and
take in cargo which an agent would
have ready there. So to Hong Kong we
went
One day after we had taken part of our
cargo on board, and were waiting for
more, to come from the English factories
at Canton. an old man came off to the ship
with letter from the English agent.
read the few lines, and they simply asked
that | would take the bearer to England
My mate was not on board, or | should
have consulted him; but the old man was
very respectable in his appearance, and |
at once told him that he should go with
me. There were three spare state-rooms,
and [ Immediately gave him one of them.
He had his luggage brought up from the
boat and placed in his room. He was
certainly seventy years Of age, and his
hair was white as snow. | conversed
with him a long while, and I found him
one of the most intelligent men with whom
| ever met. At about nine o'clock in the
evening, he seemed fatigued and express
ed his desire to retire. So showed him
to his state-room, and babe him good night
| These state-rooms were small apartments
leading out from the cabin, and only large
enough for good sized single bunk and a
wash-stand and with spare room enough
to dress and lounge. It was warm, sui
try evening, and left the old mans door
partly open at his request. His name, as
given in the letter, and marked upon his
trunks, was Joshua Foster.
At ten Q'cla4ss my Iaate eaFae nf
met him on deck, and by the light of the
gangway lantern, I could see that he was
pale and agitated. He answered me only
in monosyllables, and with a quick, une-
ven step, he went below. After he had
gone down [ went about the ship and gave
directions for keeping an anchor-watch, y
and having posted sentinel, turned to-
wards the cabin. On my way passed
along the larboard side of the deck, and
as | reached the grated sky-light which
was built up over the cabin, | stopped
What induced me so to do | cannot tell,
but | stopped and looked down, and l
saw Marshall sitting at the table pouring
wine out into glass. This surprised me,
but the next movement surprised me more
He filled the glass about half full, and
then he took small phial from his peck
ct, and having removed the stopper, he
poured its contents into the wine. could
see. his face, and it was pale as death. A
fearful suspicion flashed across my mind
and quick as thought | darted down into
the cabin. My mate was just raising the
glass to his lips. With one movement |
sprang forward and dashed the glass from
his hands, and as it was shivered in pieces
upon the floor, he sprang to his feet. He
caught me fiercely by the arm, but when
he metmy keen, steady eye, he dropped his
hand and sank back into his chair
What do you mean ?" | sternly asked.
q Marshall bowed his head and made no
reply. | saw the pbial upon the table, and
| took it up and placed it to my nose, and
there came up from it the strong, pungent
odor of prussic acid | sat down and
gazed Marshall in the face. laid my
hand gently upon his arm, and drew him
down by my side, and with as much kind
ness of tone as could command, said
Luke Marshall, am your friend. |
love you as | never loved man out of
my kin before. Now tell me what this
means"
No, no, captain" he replied. I" | wish
you wouldn't ask me. [ must die / can
not live longer. If you can find some
competent man to take my place. do so,
for my services for man are at an end
You have stayed my hand, now, but you
cannot again. A pistol, or my razor will
do for me"
I moved nearer to my mate and placed
my arm around his neck.
Tell me" | urged. what this means?
Confde in me, and | promise that / will
never betray you"
Marshall seemed much moved by my
manner, for he trembled, and the tears
came to his eyes. At length he said IN a
subdued tone:
You have been kind to me, and have
a mind to tell you the story of my life
You will never speak it to another, and
never"
What ?" said I, as he hesitated.
Never lay your hands upon me again,
let me be doing what | may"
+bo ,,,,e+ -
Judgment" replied. But tell me your
story, and then can better judge"
A few moments my mate bowed his
head in silence When he looked up there
was strange shade of melancholy upon
his features, and his eyes were moist.
| 1t will be short story he said, "a
livery short one" And after moments
thought he resumed: II was born in the
city of New York. My father was very
wealthy merchant, and of course | was
reared in lap of luxury. ! never ex-
presseda want that was not complied with,