The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-02-17
Vol. XIII.


calling to them to save me and the baby. Rn
no one seemed to hear me; they were all "a,
busy trying to save themselves and keep otb.ss
out of the boat, and cursing and swearing AMI
holering that there was no more room-tb,,
the boat would be swamped and so on. IT,.
end was, that all who could crowd into the bo,
did so. And me and the baby, and poor sail,r
lad, and the black cook, were left behind i,
perish.
But, marster, as il turned out. we Is wa q
left to die, were the only ones saved. n.
watched after that boat with longing ev.
| though we could only see it when the Hgbtrn.
flashed. And every time we saw il. II W..
farther off. AT last, marster, a fash oflghtb,,
showed US the boat as far of as ever we ca,,i
see her, capsized and beaten hither and tLnl-,
by the wild waves-its crew had persisted.
Marster, as soon as the sea had swallow +
up that wicked captain and crew. the wind A, 4
away, the waves fell, and the storm lullqs
just as if it had done what it was sent igJ.
and was satisfied. The wreck-wherr W, ,t .
forlorn ones stood-the wreck that had sIiya-ai
and trembled with every wave that suu.F i
until we had feared it would break NIP es.rr
minute, became still and firm on H. sand Isr
as house on dry land.
Daylight came at last and a It'll. af.,
sunrise we saw sail bearing down up.l. d..
We could not signal the sail, but bv the r,,r.,
Of Providence she saw us, and lay 10. and ,-n,
off boat, and picked us up and took "a, IN
board-me and the baby, and the cook and rb-
sailor lad.
at was a foreign vessel, and We could No.
understand word they said, nor they rs. Al
we could do was by signs. But they were ,-r.
good TO us, dried our clothes, and gave us bred
IL. 4. ]
then put about and continued their cour,,
The sailor lad-Herbert Grevson-soou found
out and told me they were bound for New
York. And, in fact, marster, in about ten iay,
we made that port.
"Well, marster, i aint gwine TO bother YOU
with telling you Of how toiled and struggled
along in that great city-hrst living out a. a
servant, and afterwards renting a room. and
taking in washing and irOning-ave how
toiled and Observation-Disclosures
hoping for the time to come when | shonld be-
able to return to this neighborhood, where
was known, and expose the evil deeds of them
villains, and for this cause | lived on toErr
and struggling and laying up money penny hy
penny.
"No one ever helped me but the lad Her.
bert Greyson. Whenever he came from sea.
he sought me out, and made little present 10
to me or Cap.
cap, marster, was Capitola, the child The
reason | gave her that name was Lecaise ug
that ring had drawn from the masked mother,
hand were the two names-Eugene-C aptoh
We'll, marster, the last time Herbert Grey
son came home, lac gave me five dollars. anu
that, with what / had saved was enough 10 lay
my passage to Norfolk.
Il left my little Cap in the care Of the rr5p..
of the house-she was big enough 10 paw for
her keep in work-and | took passage br
Norfolk. When | got there, / fell ILL., spent a
my money, and was at last taken TO the Door.
house. Six months passed away before Wa,
discharged, and then six more before / had
earned and saved money enough to pay my way
on here.
/" reached here three DAYS ago and found
wheat field growing where NV cottage En-.
used to burn. and all my old cronics deal, all
except old Hat, who has received and given iu-
shelter. Sir, my story is done-makr what
YOU can Of it, said the invalid. sinking down
in her bed as if utterly exhausted.
Old Hurricane, whose countenance had ey.
pressed emotions as powerful as they were
various, while listening to this tale, now arosr.
stepped cautiously to the door drew the bo.,
and, coming back, bent his head. and asked
"What more of the chill2r
cap, sir? | have not heard a word OF Cap
since left her, to try and hunt out her irirnjs
But any one interested in her might inquire
for her at Mrs. Simmons laundress, No RAJ
Alley"
" Tou say the names upon that ring we're
Eugene--Capitola p"
" Yes, sir, they were
" Have you that ring about you?"
No, master. thought it was best in cl,.
of accidents, to leave it with the child
" Have YOU told her any part OF this strange
history
"No, master, nor limited it; she was TO,
young for such a confidence
" You were right. Had she any mark about
her person by which she could be ideutihrit
" Yes, master, very strange one. In tn.
middle Of her left palm was the perfect mag
of crimson hand, about half an inch IN length.
There was also another. Herbert GreysOn, -
please me, marked upon her fore arm, in ludu
ink, her name and birthday CapuOla, Oct.
3lst, 1892"
Right. Now tell me, my good soul do you
know, from what YOU were enabled to observe
wha house that was where Capitola was bonn?
g am on my oath. No, sir, do not know
but -
You suspect
The woman nodded.
1t was - said Old Hurricane stOopin9
and whispering a name that was heard by az
one but the sick woman.
She nodded again, with look Of uteu-e
meaning.
I" Does your old hostess here, Hat know u
suspect anything Of this story iuQuirai
Major Warfeld
Not word No soul but yourself Ls'
heard it!
That il right Still be discreet! If yo1
would have the wicked punished and the r.
nocent protected, be silent and wary. Haven
anxiety about the girl. What man can do for
her will l do, and quickly! And now, good
creature, day is actually dawning. You mus
seek repose. And | must call the parson II
and return home. | will send Mrs. Comb
ment over, with food, wine, medicine, clothing.
and every comfort that your condition require
said Old Hurricane, rising, and calling IN TIE
clergyman, with whom he soon after left the
hut for home.
They reached Hurricane Hall in time for al
early breakfast, which the astouishcd bous,.
keeper had prepared, and for which their nigh
adventures had certainly given them a Poti
appetite.
Major Warfeld kept his word, and a. sooH
as breakfast was over he dispatched Mrs. Col
diment with carriage filled with provisions
for the sick woman. But they were not needec
In couple of hours, the housekeeper returned
with the intelligence that the old nurse VIZ
dead. The false strength of mental excite
ment that had enabled her to tell so long an'
dreadful tale, had been the last ilaring up o
the fame of life, that almost Immediately "ei'
out.
81 am not sorry, upon the whole, for no"
shall have the game in my own hands mU'
tered Old Hurricane to himself" All! ga.
brielle lie Noir better you had cast yours
down from the highest rock of this range aA'
been dashed to pieces below, than have 'h''
fallen into my mower"