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

snow | conversed with him long time,
and found him one of the most intelligent
men with whom l ever met. At about nine
o clock In the evening he seemed fatigued,
and expressed his desire TO retire. so
showed him to hi. state room and bade him
good night The staie-rooms were small
apartments leading out from the cabin and
only large enough for good sized single bunk
and wash-s,and and with spare room
enough to dress and lounge 1t was warm
sultry evening, and left the old mans door
partly open at his request Ills name as gwen
in the letter, and ma; ked upon his trunks,
was Joshua Foster.
At ten o'clock my mate came on board.
met him on deck, and by the light OF the
eanowav lantern. | could see that he was
pale and aglta,ed. He answered me only IN
monosyllables and with quick. uneven step,
he went below After he had gone down
went about the ship and gave directions for
keeping an anchor watch and having post
ed sentinel, | went towards 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, l
stopped. What induced me to do so l can
not tell. but | stopped and looked down, and
saw Marshall sitting at the table pouring ont
wine into glass. This surprised mc, but
the next movement surprised me more. lie
filed tie glass about half full and then he
took small vial from his pocket, and having
removed tie stopper. he poured its contents
into the wine. [ could see his face, and II
was as pale as death. A fearful suspicion
flashed across my mind and as quick as
thought | darted into the cabin. My mate
was just raising the glass to his lips Win
one movement | sprang forward and dashed
the glass from his hands, and a it was
to his feet He caught me fiercely by the
arm, but when he met my keen, steady eye,
he dropped his hand and sank back motion
less into his chair.
What do you mean? l sternly asked.
Marshall bowed his head and made no re-
ply. | saw the phial upon the table, and L
took it up and placed it to my nose, and there
came from it the strong pungentodor OF prus-
sic acid | sat down and gazed at Marshall
in the face. laid my hand gently on his arm,
and drew him 10 my side, and with as much
Kindness of tone as | could command said
Luke Marshall | am your friend; | love
you as | never loved a man out OF my kin be-
fore Now tell me what this means?'
mo, no, Captain" he replied, Il wish You
wouldn't asl. me- Imustdi.. l cannot stay
10 take my place, do so. for my services for
man are at an end You have stayed my
hand now. but you cannot agaln-a pistol OF
my razor will do for me-
l moved nearer to my mate and placed my
arm about his neck.
"Ten me- urged, what this means?-
Contide in ne and promise that will never
betray you.
He seemed much moved by my manner for
he trembled and the tears came to his eyes.
At length he said in subdued tone,
"You have been friend TO me. and have
a mind to tell you the story of my life \ ou
will never speak it TO another, and never
"What," said l, as he hesitated
"Never Law Your hands on me again, let me
be doing what may.
s'In i at case l must be governed by my
own Judgment" | replied. But tell me the
story, and then can better Judge"
A few moments my mate bowed his head
in silence When he looked up there was a
strange shade of melancholy upon his features
and his eyes Were moist.
at will be short story" he said, "a very
short one And after moments thought,
he resumed: Il was born in the city of New
York. Ny father was very wealthy nler
chant and of course | was reared in the lap
of luxury. | never expressed want that
W d> not com WIFI, DptLl
did their utmost to please and make me happy
Ny father a of quick and paEslona:e
temper, and | had temper fiery as his
own
"Y You had a fiery temper?' queried dubi-
ously. Why, you are the mildest man ever
saw"
Marshall smiled family, and with shake Of
the head he continued:
Il have a bad temper. But let that pass
now. My father INDUCED freely a. the wine
cup. and it IS no wonder tha | followed his
example. | first came to love the wine, and
then | came to love the excitement it produ-
ced. | saw no danger, for all my friends
were in the same habit. When l was a mere
lad, my father sent me as supegcargo in one Of
his ships Il was a. my own urgent request,
and | learned to love the rowing, free life OF
the ocean But when 1 reached the age of
eighteen, was sent to college. l remained
there one year, and then l was expelled for in
temperance.
Ny mate stopped here aud bowed his head
upon his hands, and | could plainly see the
tears trickling down between his fingers.
"Ohl'' he resumed in trembling voice.
what fool was | returned to my home,
and my father upbraided me for my conduct.
High words arose between US. but my mother
came in and Quieted the storm. After this l
remained at home some time. At length be-
came acquainted with girl whom l thought
virtuous and well connected, and | made pro-
poSals of marriage to her. She, il seems.
gave publicity to the fact. and it came to my
mothers ears, She had made inquiries about
the girl, and found that her character was not
good Had She told me this in her own way,
l should have never seen the girl again, for
all my plans were just and honorable, ana
was deceived in the character Of the one
I thought l loved But my mother tod my
father, and he was TO speak with me.
/ One evening came heme-it was near