Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-12-13


Choir IN Die ',arIer~ Il was rum-red when we left
that the rench were about withdraw their forces.
Noon coal aboard, and on our course again. Among
the saddes of the few incidents that have occurred
was the death and burial of Mrs Martinette, one of
the Ravil troupe who board. She sick
when she came aboard, and had been gradually grow
ing worse until yesterday. morning, when she was
relieved from all earthly pain
A FUNERAL AT SEA
is one of the saddest sights ever saw. It has
sublimity about it that does not belong to ono on
land where the loved remains are followed by weep
ing friends and carefully laid to rest in shady
spot where affections hand may plant flowers, erect
the monument that will tell to others how priced the
dear one was, where we may go and weep into new
life all the dear olden memories which cluster about
their past. But to lay tzem down in the deep, food
for fishes nothing mark the spot, it indeed sad
thing to contemplate. The speed is slackened, a
splash, and sal that left IS gone from sight until
the dead of all ages shall be called together 1t is
over and the vessel speeds on its il moth
ing had happened; to-day it is among the things of
tho past-forgotten. Close upon this follows another
melancholy tragedy
SUICIDE.
While writing the above the first mate of the ship
passed with discharged pistol, from which clsts of
blood were dropping the deck. 1t noised
abroad that enc of the Quartermasters.had shot him
self Inquiring only proved it too true. 1t is diff
cult at present to assign any just for the
mission of The deed. He was in health, had stood
is light watch and eat his breakfast as usual His
death Was almost instantaneous. He was Prussian
by birth, and generally liked by the crew. His re-
mains, enclosed in its shroud, lay covered
with our countrys flag in the after part of the ship,
waiting to be lowered to its watery grave. To the
dead it matters not whether the green sod or the blue
waters cover them; but to those left behind it is
much. These two startling incidents occurring so
close upon the other have only had the power to
cast momentary gloom over the passengers, like a
slmmer shadow the meadow grass it has gone, and
the hard work of Hing time has. been resumed.
Hardly day passes but presents something of
the opposite character, which calls for a smile We
world by ourselves, and have AL those petty an
noyances and bits of light and shadow that make up
every days experience ashore. Here is the ground
work of little romance Californian, German
by birth, after eight years. absence from the Statss
starts honeward looking for hsp-neet He finds
one, rrys her, and think her all perfection;
theless he married another days acquaintance
andat once took passage Now little less than three
weeks ofthe honeymoon have passed. and they discov-
er the fact that their tastes not congepial and
they have.parted, and fan would seek from others
that sympathy which cheer them in this the first
dark hour of tfieir.wedded life
Another little episode in tn exclusive world of ours
furnishes ussa steady subject to laugh at There is
on board recently married couple, whose advanced
years would think should be employed in prepar-
ing for tho hereafter; but instead of which, their
entire time devoted to those little love endearments
which generally supposed to belong to youth full
pairs. and that in private. But they heed not the
public eye but at all times, and the most public
places, they engrossed, and blinded by-their
love for each other that they never fancy they are
the subject of scandal and ridiculs.
SUNDAY Ar SEA-
This is our fourth Sunday on shiphoard. There is
scarcely anything traspiling different from the regu-
lar routine of week DAY life to mark the sacredness of
the Sabbath. Some few, showing the force of habit,
change their Clothes shave This has been more
quietly observed than either of the three preceding
ones. there being little gambling on board this
is not owing any regard for the day but IS due to
the elements, which have conspired to toss the vesse
as to render it impossible. In fact, the majority
of the passengers forced into horizontal position
in order to keep fast hold on their break fasts.
Monday, a. m.--We are passing Point Conception,
distant from San Francisco two hundred and forty
five miles. We will, at our average rate af speed
enter the Golden Gate before daylight tomorrow,
reaching destination in time for good hearty
breakfast, which we are all looking most anxously
for.
will close this desulutary letter with parting
word of advice. If you are coming to California by
doe
You may wish to eat and drink. Forget for the time
being, that you are human, and you will stand the
voyage. More anon.
w III