Eastern times., 1856-04-24

I ledtiully IedliZcu-ue uOoueu Oodt Has Suhh
beneath the waters, and every soul on board
at the time persisted. OF the passengers, three
only escaped, myself and two others-one a
scoundrel that did not deserve preservation
but if possessed of any feeling or reflection,
one might be led TO hope that his wonderful
escape would lead him TO repentance-but Of
this anon, for the particulars of this sad ca,as-
trophe you must wait till my return. In the
meantime subscribe myself as ever,
Yours, &c.,
p S. shall, please God, be home next
Thursday
On the appointed day, Mr.. Kettell returned
home, and in his first leisure moments related
to his wife the particulars of the shocking ca
lamity to which they both would have fallen
victims, had it not been for the warning dream.
'On my entering the boat said Mr.. Ket-
tell, found it full OF passengers-a motley
group they appeared by the dim lamp-light-
some dozing. others yawning, all lying in ev-
cry variety of attitude, and many grumbing at
the cold raw air, and the tedious progress they
were making. On looking around was glad
to recognize young Murray as travelling
companion. Among the crowd | noticed, es-
pecially, an old and very respectable looking
gentleman in black, and little farther off, a
very foppish, concei,ed-looking young man,
who seemed rather forward and officious in his
manners. After we had proceeded some dis
tance, the old gentleman drew out of his fob a
very magnificent gold watch, and having look
ed at the hour and made some remarks on the
time and weather, laid his arms on the table,
and placing his head above them, soon gave
evidence, by his stertorous breathing, that he
was fast asleep. Meantime we pursued our
dreary journey, varied only by Murray and
myself getting out and walking every lock.
Some time after the old gentleman dropped
asleep, the young man began to yawn and pro-
test it was shockingly tiresome, with nothing
to relieve the dull tedium of the way.
Come said he, starting up, as if a bright
thought had suddenly struck him, Il tell you
on my old uncle pointing at the same time 10
the sleeping old gentleman.
So saying, he glided noiselessly beside him,
and gently inserting his hand into the old
mans pocket, dexterously drew out his watch
and transferred it to his own.
You'll see presently he added, laughing,
what a precious row the old fellow will kick
up when he awakes and misses his chronome-
ter. Gracious how he will storm His
conceit will be somewhat lowered / fancy he
chuckled, 'for he prides himself on being as
watchful as a cat. Not a word, ladies and
gentlemen,' he continued, buttoning up his
coat. and making gesture of silence
The old gentleman slumbered on, and we
| pursued our monotonous way, my mind In the
meantime not being quite free from certain
misgivings as to the uncle and nephew, though
why, cannot say, as none of the company
seemed to have any doubts as to their rela-
tionship. As we drew near the last lock but
one, a sudden lurch of the boat woke up the
old gentleman. Looking round on his fellow
passengers, and remarkiug that day was be-
ginning TO break, he put his hand TO his pock'
ct to draw out his watch, when, casting look
of blank astonishment and dismay on the com
| pany, he exclaimed aloud, that he had been
robbed his watch was gone and swore that
no one should leave the boat till 1t was found
The women began to litter, and the men &c
nod and wink at each other. After while
however, one of the passengers, thinking 'the
Joke had gone far enough, addressed the ole
gentleman, saying,
Come, come, sir, don't be angry, it wa:
only jest; your nephew
My nephew Numbered the old man, 8
have no nephew here, sir what Is the mean
ing of all this impertinence
Here some of the passengers rushed oil
deck to seek the pretended nephew, but it il
needless 10 say that the villain was gone
WELL exclaimed Murray, 'that is tn
neatest trick ever saw played
The audacious scoundre1,' broke forth tn
old gentleman, I'll make it a dear trick Il
him. We are now near Dublin, and | shal
set the police after him the moment | arrive
I'll have him caught
By this time we had neared the lock, an,
Murray and /, as usual, got out 10 walk. Vi
to this time had not mentioned word abou
your dream. But now | exclaimed, what
laugh shall have at Mary for her supersti
tious fears and then related the occurrence
to Murray as we walked along, adding, as
finished the narration-'And here we are jus
at our journeys end.'
Take care,' observed my friend, smiling
remember the moral to one of Esop's fable
Don't halloo till you are out of the wood.
Gracious God scarcely had the words es
t capped his lips, ere most terrific noise {
/ crashing timbers and roaring waters, mingle
with the most unearthly shrieks, burst upo
our ears. We suddenly turned round-and-
oh Merciful Father the boat was gone
and every soul on board were sunk beneat
/ the foaming wstersl The awful catastroph
: was indeed The exact realization of vour terri