The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-11-15

away, and their hearty "Good-bye, Sam I"
A safe return to you old fellow was prob
ably more sincere than nine-tenths Of the
good wishes that have been spoken to me
since that time.
shall say but very little about my sea lfe
1t did not answer my expectations at all.
never passed day without intolerable sea-
sickness, and beinga light delicate boy, the
captain advised me as friend to stay in
future upon land. Going on shore, the mate
slept forward and shook my hand, saying
We'll, Sam, you have killed a sailor,
after ALL"
did not then know tho meaning of this
phrase, but when got back to the old house
in Howard street, my fiiend the driver, re-
lpeated it, a I'd from him I got the explana-
ton of the term.
| could not get back to the kitchen to
work again after my voyage, so looked dill
gently for some employment. An advertise
ment in the paper for printers boy caught
my eye, and applied and was received
Here was quite happy made myself a
favorte in the Office, and fortunately succeed
ed in learning the business so that my servi-
ces would command fair remuneration.
AT twenty-one married Susan Russell,
the daughter of my employer. am thus
brief in recording this, because by no alche-
my whatever could I convert the old fashi, n :
ed matter-of fact liking for each other and
subsequent union into anything like romance.
The whole might be compressed into single
sentence liked her and married her when
found she liked me.
My description of our new home would be
quite as brief We took two rooms, furnish.
ed them comfortably, and Susan kept them
shining like silver the whole year round. If
ever enjoyed true, real, unrelnitting happi-
ness, without care or anxiety, or fear for the
future, it was in those days. What peace
we enjoyed Our two eldest children were
born here and then our limits seemed too
small but it was real pain to both of us to
move from the long abode which had been
the scene of so many calm and peaceful hours
We removed to cottage in the suburbs
Boston /; rot those miniature cities which
now rise up beside the veritable Trimountain,
but small and obscure village, since risen
to the size and Importance it deserves. About
the time we removed and were quietly set
ted, a very important law case was on the
docket. and when it came on we were very
busy printing the reports of the trial as it
progressed. became Immensely absorbed
in it not so much from sympathy with the
parties concerned as from feeling that, were
| acquainted with the technicaltles of the
law. could seize upon very many points of
Importance which believed the prisoner S
counsel overlooked altogether. This idea
grew stronger and stronger upon my mind
had access to law books which were in nv
employers sanctum, and pored oyer them
sometimes all night long.
Mr.. Russell had been bred to the lar, but
had relinquished his profession for that of
an editor, some years before the birth of my
wife. frankly stated to him my wishes in
regard to fitting myself for the bar.
He first laughed at me, then seriously
tried TO dissuade me rom attempting it.
Opposition only strengthened my purpose,
and | entered the Office ofan eminent lawyer
who overlooked my deficiencies in some re-
spects, in consideration, as he was pleased
term it, of the talent and acumen which my
replies to his questions displayed.
now wrote for the journal had been ac-
customed to print, with such secresy that Mr.
Russell did not find out who his new con-
tributor was. He would often wonder, in
my presence who it could be, and ascribed
to HIM such degree Of talent and brilliancy
of expression as had hardly hoped to de-
serve. He often, too, imputed my articles
to--and--, then the two leading writers
Of the day, and expressed his opinion that
they would not remain incog. great while
longer. The flattery pleased me, but I did
not show any vanity to lead me into betray-
ing myself. Through third party re-
ceived larger compensation for my ltbors,
certainly, then should have done had my
wise father-in- law had the least suspicion
who his correspondent was.
/ studied hard, and had at last the mex
pressible satisfaction of being admitted to the
Suffolk bar. l took an Office with another
young lawyer, in order to reduce our expen-
ses, and i waited anSiously for the brief
period what should be offered.
4 Poor Susan! My heart aches at the re-
membrance Of certain privations to which,
with angel sweetness, she submitted at this
period, in order that might appear respecta-
bic. My contributions to various literary
journals barely gave us the means of SUBJ
sistence, and had SO nearly offended Mr..
Russell by sighting his advance, that did
not dare to ask him for any assistance.
One day, in passing from our suburban
residence to the city, met my old landlady,
Mrs. Jones. She looked at me ha,d, and l
returned it. There was no mistaking that
good honest countenance and expressive
form, even when dressed as it was in the
deepest mourning A widows ample veil
J hung over the back of her head, and nearly
swept the street. The recognition was mu-
tual, and the old lady's rapturcs at finding
me were almost too strong for out door ex-
hibiton. She told me of moor Joness doafh