Owyhee bullion. [volume] (Silver City, I.T. [Idaho]) 1866-1867, 1866-12-20

The mate gave the order to push for
the schooner, and the sailors gave way
with will. We soon reached the ves-
sells side and pulled ourselves on board.
we found the deck deserted, and not a
sign of life was visible.
Two lanterns were brough forward,
and we proceeded to search the craft.
We first entered the captains room, aud
found man of perhaps thirty years of
age. He was seated in chair beside
table, on which lay writing materials;
he was dead. A small paper lay on the
table, in which was small whitish pow.
der We left him and searched all
tho other parts of the ill-fated vessel,
but discovered no trace of a human being.
We returned to the captain and took his
body to the boat. 1 picked up the pa
per on which he had been writing, to ex-
anime when l got on bo I'd the Ariel
Captain Barclay ordered the sailors to
burn the schooner, which was done.
The next morning l examined the
writing, and as it may prove of interest
to some, l give it for their perusal.
MY CONFESSION.
To whoever finds my body in this ship,
for when it is found it will be cold. Yes,
| must die, and by my own hand, and
now will tell you why die thus, listen,
for my story is short one.
was born in America. My parents
were very wealthy, and my slightes wish
was gratified. My young days were spent
in hunting and fishing, and my nights
we're spent at the neigbbor.ng town, with
my companions. And at the age of
twenty was the "best boy in the town,
for could gamble, drink, and was pro-
ficent in all the vices, about that time I
became enamored with young lady, the
belle of the town. l loved her, and |
thought | was loved in return, for she
had promised to be mine forever. We
had set The day for the nuptials, and all
went merry as marriage bell /" But I
never noticed the young man who had
come to the town, and was staying at the
hotel. One evening l went to see my be-
trothed, and what was my CONSERVATION
at beholding her conversing with the
Italian. AS entered the parlor, Meta
arose and introduced him as her friend,
Signor Rossi, from Italy; he was a fine
looking fellow, and his face is even now
before my eyes.
| learned to love him, and we were
much together. Meanwhile our wedding
day approached and l was never.so hap
py Only one week interviewed. On
Sunday ! went to Meta's home as usual,
but she was not in; her mother said she
would be in directly. l went into the
parlor and commenced looking over the
books, | happened to pick up one, it was
fine edition of Byron. | looked in the
fly leaf, aud saw written 10 fine hand,
"From Claude Rossi, to his Meta"
My brain seemed on fire and | almost
fell, but soon recovering my composure,
pleaded indisposition and left the house.
Iwent home and went tolmy room, and
oh, who knows the thoughts that coursed
through my brain. The word "his"
seemed like an arrow, piercing my very
vitals. ! slept but little that night, and
in the morning l again went to town but
| did not want to see Rossi, for l knew
that if did, l would ask an explana-
tion from him.
Our wedding day was at hand. dress
ed myself aud went to the, house, l knock
ed. and the door was opened by SER
want; | walked into the parlor, but no.
body was in. On a centre table lay
small piece of paper. l approached and
found it was directed to me | opened
it, read it, and fell insensible; for it told
me Meta had eloped with Rossi. How
long | lay insensible l know not, but
when | opened my eyes 1 was lying on
my own bed.
l was seized with fever, and for weeks
was lowering between life and death,
but life triumphed, and l was once more