Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-04-10
THE DISASTROUS TRADE:
bTale of the Last War,


part of January, 1916, that a larg
! number of our good citizens Of th
town of Newcastle, Delaware, wei
collected on its landing, or pier, t
witness the progress, and ultimat
fate of small vessel down the bay
scudding under bare poles, and er
deavoring to make port. At on
moment she rose on the crest Of th
waves, and the next was lost in tn
Trough of the sea.
The storm had continued throug'
the night and still ragged, thougI
most of its fury was spent, renderin!
the chancs for the little craft to gail
tie harbor extremely perilous.
The spray dashed quite over tn
crowd of spectators, who still helt
their places, entirely absorbed il
watching her, and trying. with the
aid of glasses, to make out her name
and destination. Newcastle, at that
time, contained a number of agents
Of Philadelphia merchants, interest
ed in private armed ships, who, un-
able to pursue their former trading
during the war, had embarked in the
rather hazardous business of prlva-
teqring. Among those stood one
whose name was Christian Wernwag,
the son of a Dutch merchant, form
erly of Philadelphia, who had left at
his death a mercantile business to
his hopeful heir.
Christian, like his father, was of a
saving, plodding character; but his
capacity was narrow and his DISPOSE
tion niggardly. -
At last, through the skill of her
helmsman, the little vessel approach
ed the pier and was hailed with long
cheers as she ran up the American
flag.
No sooner was she moored at the
wharf than she was besieged by a
crowd ofpeople, eagerto welcome her
hardy crew. She proved to be the
schooner r. O., we'll known in her
time as a successful cruiser, and had
made the voyage safely home from
Cubaven, in the North Sea.
Christian. who owned a share in
her, hurried on board to see the Cap
tain; but started back on beholding
at the gang way door,
with cloak on, and small trunk
in his hand. The face he immediate
ly recognized, and at, once commence
ed retreat, but, on second thought.
be stopped, and awaited the captains $
leisure. Meanwhile the passenger
had gone over the vessels side and
proceeded to the hotel or stage
Office, short distance of.
'Itis George Selby, sure enough,
mu.tered Christian to himself
what could have brought him home
at this time, and in this vessel2--
Perhaps he has come on some spec
ulation which will make his fortune;
and if so, then farewell to my hope
of Mary Morrison. But | will find
OUT aud then be ran in haste to
overtake him.
Mr.. Selby, young man of FIVE
and twenty, turned at the approach
of Christian, and eyed him more Sc
verely than otherwise, returning his
low bow by only slight, formal nod.
Though repulsed be was still bent on
a closer acquaintance; but he did not
wish to lose sight Of the Captain
So, retracing his steps, he learned
from that officer that Mr.. Selby had
paid him five hundred dollars for his
passage home.
Returning to the town, be found
his way into the presence of Mr. Sell
by, just as that gentleman had en-.
gagged seat in the mail coach to
Philadelphia. Christian, as we have
said, was Of narrow capacity. but he
saw clearly the path Of self-iuterest,
and always followed it. He vas des'
titute of speculative visw, and had
been heard to pride himself on supe'
rior cunning, though the boast
among those who knew him, gained
no credit.
'Mr. Selby,' said be, 4 hardly ex
pect we can be friends; but this is nt
| reason we should be enemies. w
may be risals-hosorable rivals |
wealth is on nay side you have othe
advantages; bot come let us dine to
gether. I am anxious to Hear To
i aewS froJr abroad. and perhaps. b