The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-01-25
Mistrllunrun5.
Tbs Disastrous Trade,
\ TALE OF TIE LAST WAR.

1t was one morning in the latter part
of January, 1916, thata large number of our
good citizens of the town OF Newcastle, DSl7
aware, were collected on its landing, or pier,
to witness the progress, and ultimate fate of
small vessel down the bay, scuddinG under
bare poles, and endeavorins to make port.
NJ one moment she rose on the crest of the
waves, and the next was lost in the trough
of the sea.
The storm had continued through the night
and still ragged. though most of its fury was
spent, rendering the chance for the little
craft to gain the harbor extremely perilous.
The spray dashed quite over the crowd Of
spectators, who still held their places, en-
tirely absorbed in watching her, and trying,
with the aid Of glasses, TO make out her
name and destination. Newcastle, at that
time, contained number of agents of Phil
adelphia merchants, interested in private
armed ships, who, unable to pursue their
former trading during the war, had embark
ed in the rather hazardous business Of priva-
tccring. Among those stood one whose
name was Christian Wernwag, the son of n
Dutch merchant, formerly of Philadelphia,
who had left at his death mercantile busi-
ness to his hopeful heir.
Christian, like his father, was Of a saving,
plodding character but his disposition mig
gardly.
Atlast, through the skill Other helmsman,
the little vessel approached the pier and was
hailed with long cheers rs she ran up the
American flag.
No sooner was she moored at the wharf
than she was besieged by crowd of people,
eager to welcome her hardy crew. She prov
cd to be the schooner r. O.. well known in
her time as successful cruiser, and had
made the yoyagc..afely home from Cubavcn,
in the North Sea.
Christian, who owned share in her. hur-
ried on board to see the Captain; but start
ell hack ON boholding a passeuger at the
gangway door, with a cloak on, and small
trunk in his hand. The face he Immediate
ly recognized, and at once commenced NJ
trcat; but, ON second thought, he stopped,
and awaited the captains leisure. Mean
while the passenger had gone over the YES
sells side and proceeded to the hotels or stag
olsSa,-d short distance OF.
"It Is George Selby, sure enough" nut
tered Christian to himself. "What could
have brought him home at this time, and in
this vcsscl? Perhaps he has come ON some
speculation which viii make his fortune, anC
il 50, then farewell to my hope Of Mary Nor
rison. But l will find out, aud then he RAJ
in haste to ovcrtake him.
Mr.. Selby, young man of Eve aud TWEEN
ty, turned at the approach Of Christian, an'
eyed him more severely than otherwise, re
turning his low bow by only slight, forma
nod. Rcpulscd though he was still bent OF
a closer acquaintance but he did not wisi
to lose sight Of the captain. So, re,racin'
his stops, ne learned from that officer tina
Mr.. Sclby had paid him Eve hundred dollar
for his passage home.
Returning to the town, he found his wa!
into the presence of Mr.. Selby, just as tina
gentleman had engaged n scat in the mai
coach to Philadelphia. Christian, as w
have said, was of narrow capacity, but h
saw clearly the path Of self-intcrcst, and ai
ways followed it. He was destitute OF spec
ulative views. and had becn heard to pride