Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-11-26
IA STORY OF A sHIpWRECK.
from cHAMBER's EDINBURGH JOURNAL.

Eord with US in the days of frocks and
Eocks, when we were under the domin-
Eon Of the nurserymaid-to 90 TO Johns
farm and feast On curds and cream, being
one of the grand delights of those IN
clouded days. John titled q small hold
Ing in Wiltshire, and might have titled it
10 the day Of his death, as his father did,
had he had, like his father, but one child
his offspring, however, numbered seven
before he had been welded ten years
and as the land remained the same while /
the family increased exceedingly fast, he
bad to cast about for better provision |
Scr them. The failure of some expert
ments which, under this pressure, he was
|driven to make upon new and stubborn
|soil, deprived him Of a good part of his
capital, and disheartened him from any
xenewed attempt in that direction. He
now began to think of emigrating. His
wife, busy, rightminded, active woman,
made no objection to the step-if power
ii was to come upon them, she said, she
would rather face it abroad than at home.
Just then the newspapers were teem-
ing with prosperous accounts concerning
settlers in the far west of North Ameri-
"a, where land, it was said, was to be had
for nominal price and the trouble of
clearing. The Singers made up their
minds to go; and that point being deci-
ded, John lost no time in disposing OF
his lease, his farming stock, produce, and
Implements, and putting money in his
pocket. There was quite a commotion
in the district when the news got wind,
and. as usual, diversity Of opinions on
the subject. Some said it was the best
thing that Singer could do, seeing that he
had such a large family; while others
said it was flying in the face of Provi-
dence, to throw up the farm on which
the father had got a living for fifty years.
The Singers paid small attention to these
various verdicts, but busted themselves
in settling their affairs: and in the course
Of a month or six weeks from the time
Of forming their resolution, were ready
for their departure.
DESTROYS of obtaining an immediate
passage for his numerous family, Johr
set Off to B, and began a search fol
vessels about to sail. There were sew
eral in the harbor which would clear ou
within a months time; but the charge
for passage across the Atlantic was mucI
higher then than it is now, and John, wht
had ample reasons for the practice 0
economy, was anxious to make the voy
age as little costly as possible. No
much short of hundred pounds was de
handed by some of the captains for tn
accommodation he wanted-a sum b
could not afford and he was thinkin
of coming away and trying some othe
port, when he fell in with an agent VII
offered to introduce him to the captai
Of the Camden, who, he said, would tax
him and his family on his own terms
John followed the man to the basin. an
boarded the Camden. She was but
small vessel, and singularly dirty and di
orderly; but the captain assured him 81
was sound and seaworthy, and would [
in neat and tidy trim before she got in
the blue water. The terms the capita
offered were temptingly advantageou
and ne further profered for the use
Singer and his family a strip of cabin
the middle Of the vessel, in which tbs
would be separated from all intereour
with the steerage passengers. This Ia
ter consideration decided the bargain
John paid half the stipulated sum as ear
est; and as the vessel would positive
salon that day week, he lost no time
concluding his preparations, and gettil
his family on the spot, ready to emba
when the moment of departure shou
arrive.
What follows Is a matter Of such n
mentous interest that we shall decIi
narrating it in the third person, and
low John Singer to tell the story hims'
as we shudderingly heard it from his o.
mouth.
Z" It was on the 25th Of July, $
John, "when, with my wife, seven cE
and my wife's niece, 1 went on board
Camden in B harbor. We !
never been to sea before, and we kn
well enough that seasickness awaited
and that we should most likely be all
together for day or two. / had N;
what preparation I could for this bad ii
BY providing some simple medieinei
small stock Of spirits, and the mean.
procuring hot water At two minutes
tlce. Sure enOugh. the sickness. ca