The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-09-16
for the 9iresille CHAIR,
A STORY OF 1912.
BY FREDERICK M1LNEs EDGE.
CHAPTER /

Henry Creighton, the hero of our story,
was second officer of the United States Fri
gate Hudson, at the period of our last war
with Great Britain. The only son of wealthy
parents his brilliant talents and education
fitted him to shine in the first circles of his
native city of Philadelphia, but a patriotic
desire to serve his country, joined to an enter
prising disposition, led him to choose the Ma
Wy as a profession. Several years residence
in Europe after leaving College had given
him taste for adventure, and sea-life of
fered him the most favorable opportunity for
gratifying the wishes of his rowing nature.
10th to part with son in whom all their
hopes and affection were bound up, his parents
reluctantly accorded their consent, and Henry
Creighton justified his own choice and their
permission by rapidly advancing up the lad
der of promotion. Soon regarded as one of
the most rising officers in the Navy, he was
finally appointed to the crack frigate in the
fleet. and few months longer of those STIR
ring times then commencing would have seen
him commander. But the envy of men
who hated him for his talents and goodness
of disposition threw cloud over his career,
and suddenly dashed all his hopes to the
ground.
The executive officer of the frigate, much
the serior of Henry Creighton in years, dis
liked our hero the first moment he put his
foot on the deck of the ship; his Instructive
hostility had developed itself into positive
hatred, but Lieutenant Cranston was far too
shrewd a man to openly evince his feelings
until he could strike without the possibility
of failure. Cranston hated Creighton for all
the reasons which impel some men to hate
their fellows; he hated him for his superior
abilities, his personal appearance, his youth,
the respect shown him by his brother officers
his power over the men in fine, for all
those qualities which make up the true sailor
and the polished gentleman. And he was
not long in prejudicing the Captains mind
against the object of his dislike A week af-
ter leaving port, a mutinous spirit developed
itself in one of the watches, the cause being
the tyrannical, bullying treatment of the first
lieutenant. Creighton singly quelled the in
subordination and brought back the men to
their duty, before matters came to crisis
but Cranston, with a guile and hypocrisy wor-
thy of Iago, so represented the affair to the
captain as to induce the latter to believe that
our hero was implicated in the revolt. Dreigh-
ton indignantly repelled the insinuation, but
all his asseverations would have been of no
avail had not his enemy artfully expressed
himself satisfied of his innocence and induced
the commanding officer to overlook the affair.
Cranston knew full well that thorough in
vestigation would relieve Creighton OF all
guilt and establish his character more firmly
than ever for decision and daring, whilst in
pretending to. be his friend and defender, he
could strike deadlier blow at his fair fame il
/ the future.
The opportunity arrived sooner than Grams.
ton dared hope for it. Ten days after this oc
currence, the frgate found herself at sunris,
in sight of two English men of-war. and thu
/ decks were Immediately cleared for action
The Englshmen proved to be frigate of tn,
same class as the Hudson, and brig of fou
or six guns-two against one-but when dix
our brave seamen back down il face of an,
I odds when the cause of their county was a
, stake ? The fight long held trembling in tn
scales of Fate, and would finally have gon
against Uncle Sam, had not lucky shot from
the g Long Tom'' carried away the main
mast of the brig, thus partially disabling on
of the antagonists. Still she managed t
keep within fighting range, being admirabl
seconded in this by her powerful consort, an
as the sun sank to the West the chances in
creased of both of them getting away unde
cover of the night, or of their being reinforce
BY some of the many English cruisers
these waters. Captain Lefevre thereupo
q caused the boats to be manned, placing ther
under the orders of the first lieutenant, wit
!. instructions to attack, and, if possible, boar
2 the brig, while he settled matters with tt
frigate. No sooner was the order given ths
splinter from the spanker-boom carrie
away the captains left arm, he being carrie
!. below, tie command of the ship devolvt
upon Cranston, who forthwith ordered Dreigl
to the boats. The order was given in LOT
voice. Cranston Immediately walking up
3, his victim and after a few seconds convers
ton in subdued tone, placing him under a
rest on the charge of cowardice in face of Il
enemy. Poor Creighton turned ashy pale
this tremendous accusation, but Cranstor
look of deadly hate told him that he W
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