Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-11-27

rather to grow worse. He became more and
more unhappy. Every morning when he rose,
it was with kind of dread as to how he should
contrive to kill time. 70 get through the day to
endure his own ljstlessness, or dissatisfaction, or
disgust. The idea of setting about some useful
or honorable employment, that would occupy his
thoughts, give excitement to his faculties, and
bring satisfaction to his conscience never entered
his head. He had never been taught that no one
has right to lead an idle and useless life, and
that no man can be happy who attempts to live
only for himself.
It is indeed a common opinion among rich
people, that they are under obligations to en-
gage in the active duties of life that they are
not bound to labor or toll, or make sacrifices for
society; that they are in fact privileged classes
and may spend their time and money with an
excl-sive regard to themselves. Raymond
educated in this foolish and narrow minded opin-
ion and here was the real foundation of all his
misery. Gould he only have discovered that hap
piness is be found in exercising our faculties
in using the means, and employing the power,
that Providence has placed in our hands, in some
useful Pursut-a2d in this way alone-he might
have been saved from gulf of misery into which
he was soon plunged.
At tbs period, which was soon after the revo-
lutionary war. America was attracting great at
tentiOn, and Raymond having met with one of his
coliege mates who had been there, and who
gave him glowing accounts oft he suddenly took
the determination to sell out his estates and set
out for America with the view Of spending the
remainder Of his days there, He knew little of
i a., /.
in every thing to that in which he had lived, aGd
thinking that any change might bring enjoyment
he sold his property. and taking the amount in
gold and silver. set out in a ship bonud for New
York.
The vessel had prospeioug voyage till she
arrived in sight OF the highlands, near the ent-
rance Of the harbor of New York. 1t was then
/ that just at evening. smart gusts begae to blow
OH the land and the captain showed sighs of anx-
iety lest ne should not be able to get in before
/ the storm, should arise The passengers had
7 dressed themselves to 90 on shore, and most of
them anxious too see friends or tired of sea, were
/ anticipating their arrival with delight. Ray
/ monI, ho. ever, was an exception to oil this
! lie went upon the deck. looked few moments
eloornily at the land that was visible low down
n the horizon, and then retired to the cabin,
whore lie gave himsell up to the accustomed train
of discomfort and bitter thoughts.
. alone" thought he, . Of all this company.
seem t. to be niiscrAble all are looking forward
with pleasant auticipations Of some happiness,
some enjoyment in store for :he,n. But for me
what have l to hope2 l have 40 friends here
this is p lam! If strangers to me, Vt is true, !
have weal!l--but how worthless it is! I have
tried its virtues in England, and found that !;
could not give me pleasure Wealth cannot be
stow happiness; and l should not mourn if every
farthiug Of it were lost in the sea- Life is indee-
burlen to me. Why is it that every thing is
happy but myself? Why DO 1 see all these peo
ple rejoice at the sight of land, while 1 am dis
tressed at the idea of once more mingling with
mankind Alas, lite is to me burden, anc
the sooner part with it the betteri"
While Raymond was pursuing this train 0
reflections in the cabin, the heaving of the yes
sci increased; the creakiug Of the tmbers grew
louder, and the deck became a scene of uprOar
occa stoned by running to and fro, the rattling C
cordage. and tie clanking Of heavy irons. The
commands of the captain grew rapid and stern
and the humping Of the pillows against tn
sides the sides of the ship, made her shiver from
the rudder TO the bowsprit,
Raymond wass soon buriel in his own gloom.
reflections, that be did not for some time motto
these events but at last the din became 50 ire
nendous. that he started to bis feet and ran Up
on the deck. The scene that now met his ey
was indeed drcaful. 1t was dark, but not s
much 50, as to prevent the land from being visi
bic at little distance; tie wind was blovn
with the force Of hurricane, and urging th
vessel, now perfectly at its mercy, into the boil
ing waves that fretted and foamed along its edge
The captain had given up all hopes of savin
= the ship, and the passcn gers were kneeling an
throwing up their hands in wildness and des
" pair
Raymond was perfectly calm. The though
Of losing his wealth crossed his mind, but it COS
him not struggle to be reconciled to its destruc
" /, ton. He thought of sinking down in the wave
:, to rise no more To this. too, he yielded. sayin
briefly to himself.
." 1t is best it should be so"
IF Having thus made up his mind and prepare
himself Tor the worst. as ne fancied, he stood su
d veving the scene. The force of the gale Wi
sr fearful as il marched along the waters II iash'
h their surface into foam, and burst upon the sh
e. with fury that seemed every moment on u
in point of carrying away her masts- At last Il
e. vessel struck a moment after, her masts fe
ct with their whole burden of spars, sails, and n
" ging the waves that over the stern of {
C. stem of the helpless hulk, and swept the who
I'd Iecotb of it. Several of the passengers we
,f- buried in the tide, there to find watery grav
.e some chung to the bulkwarks, and others saw