The weekly union record., 1865-06-10
A Sailors S Yarn.

from the numerous opportunities WnlcB CIT
cumstances gave me OF meeting and conversing
with ber, that il was not long before began
TO feel more than ordinary pleasure and inter
est in her society. But | soon discovered the
hopelessaess Of any feelings beyond esteem for
her viriues, and respect for her person, for We
bSd not been above week ST sea. when | SAW
tokens CT reciprocal attachment between her
and Tom Truehold Nothing particular oc
Cured during our voyage. One afternoon, as
| was walking on the deck. Truehold came up
to me, in state Of great agitation. aud told
NE ihut the Captain bad just ordered him out
of the cabin
| asked him what he meant.
After few minutes be told me that he and
the Captains daughter had long cherished an
affection for each ether and that he had just
asked her fathers permission to marry her
when We arrived again 10 port. Ca bearing
which the Captain had flown into violent
passion. and ordered him 10 go on deck. never
10 enter bis cabin 10 future. and never TO dare
to mention The subject 10 him again.
In the meantime the Cap ain had called bis
daughter in.o the cabin, aud told her-with q
threat Of solitary confinement 10 case of dis
obedience-never under any cireGmsi iauces, to
allow any communication TO take place be
tween her and Truehol3, unless in his own
presence, which she-,oo well knowing the in.
flexible nature OF her father to think lightly of
his threat-for some time tried to obey.
For the first month or SIX weeks OF our voy-
age the painful iuiunctions Of the Captain
were, to all appearances, strictly observed by
his daughter and Truehod But effects OF so
terrible struggle in her heart were soon evil
dent and. ID spite of oil both the Captain
y; f. L. okc tba3- =, H.
her spirit sunk, the ruddy tinge disappeared
from her cheeks, and she gradually dropped
till at length the slender thread Of her earthly
existence seemed all but broken. In all bis
anxiety for her-ter the Captain really loved
his daughter perhaps it never once entered
into his mind that her illness was only the re-
suit OF bis own unnatural severity nor did
she disclose to her mother the secret that
preyed upon her heart, and beneath which she
was sinking.
We bad been at sea about six weeks. as
said. when Que night, after having been re-
lieved from my watch, remained fer some
time walking the deck, admiring the beautiful
scenery OF the skies above me. After having
remained q short time in conversation with
Truehold, who took charge of the watch,
bade him good night. and went below TO my
berth but feeling rather dlslncllned for sleep,
| sat down, and, taking up volume which lay
BY me, commenced reading. ! had not read
above fifteen or twenty minutes, when | heard
a slight sound like the opening Of door.
listened for o few seconds, but hearing nothing
more | again turned to my book After the
space of about FIVE minutes, | was again stss T.
led by creaking noise like the opening of an
other door, which, from the direction, | knew
to come from the Captains berth. Surprised,
l attentively listed, putting out my light to
avoid drawing attention to me, and immediate
ly heard heavy foot cross the cabin, and
cautiously proceed toward the stairs. as if for
the purpose Of going Oh deck. With a noise
less step | left my berth, and reaching the bot
tom of the stair | saw the Captain crouching
within the shade of the pinnacle, apparently
watching something on deck. After a moment
he sprung forward exclaimng
IIa, you villain | have caught you,
then p
Alarmed and wondering what this could
mean. | instantly followed ard on reaching
The top of the stair | saw him grasping True
hold by the collar, while his daughter was
clinging to his knees in terror aud supplIcation
Get up! said the Captain, addressing his
daughter, and spurning her from him. Get
up shall put stop to your moonlight as
signations for the future. Go; get below with
you Up, up ! tell you" cried be, with in
creasing wrath, as she still clung TO his knees
Aud you, Sir" he continued, addressing
Truehold, " shall take care you don't neglect
your duties any more. From this moment
consider yourself discharged from oil RESPONSE
biity on board the ship. Go below, sir go
below to your berth, or shall send you down
in chains"
Oh, father :" exclaimed his daughter, in a
wild and beseeching tone oh, father y
/ Silence " be cried, interrupting her fierce
y seizing her by the arm, and dragging her
after him. Il have long tried to catch you
at your midnight meetings, and have succeeded
at last"
For Heavens sale, Captain" said True
hold, unable to restrain his feelings any longer,
&" do not use your innocent daughter SO harshly.'
What " cried the Captain, still more fierce
! ly "what will you dare to interfere? Go /;
get you below this instaut''
/ "I will not. Sir" said Truehold, firmly.
"Eh you won't, do you say?" exclaimed the
Captain, grinding his teeth with rage" \ ou
won't? he reiterated drawing pistol from
bis pocket Then, by Heaven shall send
you to berth you don't expect p aud, with
out further warning, fred the pistol, which, for
tunately missing its mark, entered the mast
+ close BY where Truehold stood. In moment
the Captain, dashing the pistol on deck, pulled
/ out another, and proceeded to take more de-
liberate aim at Truehold, who stood without
attempting to move from bis position but at
the moment the Captains finger was on the
trigger sprang forward, aud seizing his arm,
tried to turn the pistol from bis intended vic
tim. In the short struggle that ensued the
pistol went off, and shot his daughter through
the shoulder. A half suppressed cry hurst
from her lips; and, while faint smile passed
over her pallid features, she sunk in the arms
of Truehold who caught her as she was falling.
Petrifed with horror. thinking he had killed
his daughter, the Captain dropped the pistol at
his feet, ard stood for a few moments as il every
sense aud feeling had left him. Then uttering
q wild shriek be cried
"Ob, my daughter l have murdered my
daughter" and before any one was aware OF
his Intention threw himself overheard
At the same moment his daughter opened
her ewes, and, coucious of what had occurred
looked I'D in Truehold's face with an expression