Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-01-14

| tlldh6 H6F neau acne-ue SAID ne knew
better. She resisted still-and then |
heard him say-he prefxed the remark
with an oath:
Drink it, or I'll force it down you,
glass and all! know what's good for
you?
l heard deep groan from the un-
happy wife, and with my fists clenched,
and my teeth set, darted from my room.
But | stopped ere l reached their door.
An unseen hand seemed to hold me back,
and stopping my ears rushed on deck.
Half an. hoar afterwards Hampton
came up, and could see that he had
more wine aboard than was good for his
disposition. He called for Cato. The
negro went aft. Ny attention was at
that moment directed to the ship, for we
were going about. The wind had been
light and battling ever since noon, some
times coming out in quick pufs from one
quarter, and soon whiting around in the
opposite direction. A little breeze had
just sprung up from the east'rd, and
hoped 'twould hold here, so | had the
ship put about-we wore her-and as
soon as her course was set l turned to-
wards the poop.
Hampton had accused Cato of drink
ing his wine, and the negro stoutly de-
MED the charge. But the master knew
better. He caught the poor negro by
the collar and then laid hold upon the
end OF the spanker-sheeta and commenced
to fog him with it. As quick as a fas b
darted aft and caught the rope from
Hampton's hands.
You will not make whipping place
of my quarterback, sirp 1 uttered.
'Ha? he returned, turning upon me
like tiger. Do you dare to interfere
with me?'
i don't think / was ever so utterly.
perfectly angry before nor since, and
while was trying to think of words saw
age enough to hurl back at him, my rage
calmed down into bitter contempt.
You will feel rather mortified, sir,
l said to have the crew see you in irons
'As ! lie! IN irons? he gasped.-
Who'll do it?'
Show me one look, or speak but a
single word of insolence, and I'll have
you ironed on the instant
4 had just made that reply when
heard the sails futter, and at the same
moment the man at the wheel sung out,
! Look out for gjbe.'
Down! DOWN. I cried, and at the
same time stopped, but Hampton, whose
head was bewIdered, instead of STOPPING.
made rush for the starboard rail. as
though he would run away from the
coming danger. | would have saved
him if l could, but twas too late. cried
out to him, but he did not understand
The ponderous spanker-boom came over
like fash, and struck him fair on the
head. | saw shadowy outline of some
thing going over the rail, and that was
the last Of Augustus Hampton. l or
dered the main yards braced around as
quickly as possible, and seizing the hatch
ct | cut away the lashings of the stern
boat, and ordered the crew in. In three
minutes from the time the man went
overheard, the boat was in the water, but
no Hampton could be found | kept the
boat rowing about for nearly half an
hour, but all in vain. The blow Of the
boom must have killed him, and he sank
at once
Now what a position was in AS
, true as there is a God in heaven, nv
first feelings were those of sorrow that
the man had gone. But won't try to
tell you any of the strange emotions that
, went rioting through my soul for the
next half hour, only tried TO keep back
the one deepest emotion that at length
came to my heart. After all efforts to
recoverthe lost man proved fruitless, and
| had somewhat regained my composure,
| went below. l knocked at Kate's door.
and she bade me come in. | entered,
but | started on beholding the aoidoeo.-
Her face was pale, her hair dishevelIed.
and her dress all stained with wine. She
started on beholding me, and quickly ut
tered:
Don't interfere, sir, for you couldn't
help me. o, must bear itp
, ALAS, Kate l said, have come to
bring you bad news. Your husband is
lost overheard
A moment she gazed into my face,
and then she sprang forward and clasped
me by the arms.
Ben,' she said, in hoarse whisper
: and l thought she'd look me right through