The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-05-11

'Well, every one Of course was very
much cast down at this, but poor Ellen
particularly however, for many months
I she kept q brave heart, always telling
| the Captain that she knew William
would return, and they should be happy
yet; and dye see, no one liked to tell
the poor thing different, although but
very few thought they'd ever see him
again"
"At any rate, it was clear that DR. Paul
didn't, for after while he began again
TO pay his addresses to her, and this
time more in earnest than before, but
it was no use. Ellen would have nothing
! to say TO him at all Now about two
years after they had pressed poor VIII,
when it was getting on towards the
wintertime-thereh had been a good deal
of dirty weather about, and several
vessels had been lost on the coast-
there was a report that several crews
had been paid Oft, and then Ellen made
up her mind more than ever that William
would return when one day a neighbor
comes in and says he had heard that 1t
vessel like the Spitfire-that was the one
William went out in-had gone down
off the Scillys, and it was feared all
hands had persisted; he had it, he said,
from party over to Davenport, the day
: before, on some matter of business
This was bad news for the poor lass, but
believe she still hoped and prayed for
her sailor sweetheart, and all along kept
telling the Captain that ne would live to
see her and Will Randall bride and bride
groom yet; but about a fortnight after
this, Paul comes in, in a great way
and shows the captain bottle, which
he said had been picked up on the Cor
nish coast, no doubt having drifted in
and In it was paper, saying the Spitfire
couldn't live through the night, praying
that whoever found the bottle would,
for Heavens sake, send it over to Cap
tain Meredith Of Cowsand with the last
prayers Of poor Will.
This was dated back, and was about
square with the day when the Spitfire
was said to have gone down; and so
now there seemed no hope at all, so
poor Ellen seemed to think at last, for
she got paler and ieaKer every day, and
moved about like one who had nothing
to live for To make matters worse,
the Captain had got into debt, and diff
culties got bigger and bigger. Well,
one day, all on sudden, the doctor
goes to him and offers to marry Ellen
out of hand, promising to discharge all
Inc ChpIaiH anu StatiHS
that his long and strong attachment had
induced him to make the proposal. The
Captain, you may believe, didn't
much fancy Paul for a son in law, but at
last he relented, and, pressed by his
debts and troubles, urged Ellen to ac-
cept him. The poor lass refused for a
long time, but when she found her
fathers liberty and welfare depended
on it and besides, had lost all hope Of
ever seeing Will Randall again, at last
she consented
But you don't mean to say that they
got married at last ?" interrupted.
'.In two or three months they were,
and pretty coupiethey must haze made;
she with her tall figure and ,pae face,
and he with his red head bowed legs
stumbling along by her side They
were married ut Mill Creek Church, on
the hill, sir, and Will Randolph's old
master read the service. They say Ellen
didn't cry or faint, or have any nonsense
Of that kind, but went through her share
quietly, and calmly enough, while the
doctor seemed all aboard Now it seems
this very evening, just about dusk, when
the Captain had gone out to smoke his
pipe, that Paul. who had gone up stairs, 1
heard a terrible loud scream and rushing
Ellen, finds her tainted away on the
floor, and William Randall him self kneel
ing by her side,
William used to say afterwards, that
he never could forget Paurs face when
they saw one another for the fret time ; /
he used to dream of It, he said; he had /
many and many time seen the face of
strong men who had been struck down /
in the heat and passion of battle, or,
who had died violent deaths in other
ways but Paufs face he said, reminded /
him only of q picture he had once seen. !
when quite a little lad, ofthe devil, which /!
he remembered had frightened him then,
but which he had forgotten until their .
eyes met that night. When Paul re
covered his surprise, he said not word /
about the marriage bat when William /
said he had but just left Plymouth and |
hadn't seen n soul in the village vet, he .
suddenly seemed delighted at meeting !
him again, and insisted on their drinking I
together He led Ellen into another
room. where he told Will, his mother
would attend to her, and shortly after
returned with two glasses of stiff grog,
which he put ON the table between them.
Now, Bill, old mates says he, wen
drink to your return home But what
about Nelly, poor girls' says will
Never mind her. says Paul, mother
will soon bring her round, meanwhile
drink theGrog first of all lets shut the
door and Be snug, eh?' So Psul shut
the door, and coming back to the table.
says, Now. BILL says, he here's your
Jolly good health and no heeltape :" and
they both emptied their glasses Evil
liam" says Paul, after awhile. .how do
YOU feel ?'' '.Quite well, Paul. nv
hearty" Thank. ye," says Will. $40
you?' says Paul griRniug; then You
want for long, Will Randall" SAYS he
getting white and trembling we've had
A long account to settle. and now it's
done" What dye mean?" asks Will in
surprise, as You may be sure I've
never injured you!'' Yes, you haye-
says Paul. Didn't you step in between :
ne and the grill had set ms heart on?
Didn't the neighbors jeer and mock me,
md drive me mad? And didn't I swear
% be even with you come what might?
And am, | am. When YOU were press