The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-04-20
Selected story.
Marrying a Convict


Fast Indiaman and for the last ten wears had
commanded the Belle, one of the finest crafts
That ever floated. / was an old sea-dog, who
had dwelt so long on salt water that had al
most a hatred of dry land.
On the S0th of October, 1923, l received Or
ders to put myself in readiness to sail for Cav
enne. was to transport seventy-five soldiers
and convict. had orders to treat this indi-
y1dual wen, and the letter received from the
directory enclosed another, with a huge, red
seal, which was not to open until between y
ana 70 west longitude; that is Just before we
were about to cross the line
zine letter was long packet, so well ciosea
upon every side that it was impossible to eaten
the slightest glimpse of its contents am nor
naturally supersttious, but there was some
thing in the look of the letter that qua no. al
together like, though could give no ieasoI
why. However I carried it into the caoih, anu
stuck 1t under the glass of a little shappy En-
glish clock, which was fastened above my mead.
i was busy fixing the letter under the CLOCK,
When who houd come Tbs sO was the rst t s9
had seen either of them, and may say that a
more progressing couple never met. The
woman was scarcely more than fifteen, and as
handsome as picture; while the husband was
an Intelligent, magnificently- formed man, on
whose features nature had never written 'vi-
lainl"
His crime, to be plain, was the misfortune of
being hundred years ahead Of his age. He
and others had attempted something which
our government called treason, and which it
punished with death. It. therefore, occasioned
me considerable wonder that he should be
placed under my charge. But more of this af-
forwards
He had as l said, his wife banging upon his
arm. She was as merry as bird; she looked
indeed like turtle dove, cooling and nesting
beneath his great wing.
Before month had passed over our heads
looked upon them as my own children Every
morning used to call them into my cabin
The young fellow would sit writing at my table,
that is to say at my chest, which was my bed.
He would often help me at reckoning, and soon
learned to do better than could. l was amaz
ed at his ability. His young wife would sit up
on one the round stools in my cabin working
at her needle.
One day we were all three, sitting in this
way, when i said
"Do you know my young ones, as it seems to
me, we make very pretty family picture'-
Mind, don't mean to ask questions, but may
be you have not much money to spare, and you
are, both of you, as l think, too handsome to
dig in the burning sun of Cayenne, like many
poor wretch of a convict before you. It's a
bad country, take my word for it, L, who have
roughed through tempest, wind and sunshine,
till have the skin of a rhinoceros, might get
along there; but you-Im afraid for you. So,
if you should chance to have a bit of foolish
friendship for your old captain, why, I'll tell
you what I'll do. I'll get rid of this old brig;
shes not much better than an old tub after all
so I'll settle myself down there with YOU ii
you like. You see have not living soul in the
world to care for, or that cares for me. I want
relations, want home, want family !
should like to make my home with you my
pretty ones! What say YEP"
They said nothing at ALL but kept looking at
each other, and then at me, as if they doubted
whether they understood what said.
AT last the little bird threw her arms around
my neck and cried like a baby.
But" said she, suddenly pausng "you have
not looked at the letter with that big red SEAL -
Ifelt queer creeping come over my flesh as
she said this.
,. Hang s i'll" ! exclaimed" it had slipped my
With cold, dreaded sensation, went to
my chest to see where we WERE i found thai
we had several days remaining before we
should reach the proper longitude for opening
the letter.
Well, there we stood, all three of us, looking
up at the letter as If it could have spoken to us
AS it happened, the sun was shining full upon
the glass OF the clock-case, and fell upon the
great staring red seal OF the letter. could not
help fancying it looked like a great big mon
ster, an ogres face, grinning from the middle
of the fire; it lookedl tfhs
Gould not one fancy" sold /, to make them
laugh, Its great big eyes were staring out OF
'Ah, my love-" said the wife, it looks like
blood" s -
pooh, pooh, said her husband, taking her
arm under bis, 1T looks like a letter or invita-
ton to wedding. Come, leave the letter
alone if it troubles you so. Let's to our room
and prepare for bed"
And off they went. They went upon deck
and left me with this beast of letter, l re-
member that kept looking at it as smoked
my pipe; it seemed to fix its great red eve up
on mine fascinating like the eye of serpent
1t was red, wide, raw, staring like the NAV of
fierce wolf. took my great coat and hung
1t over both clock and letter, and went mon
deck to finish my pipe.
We were now in the latitude of the Cane de
verde lslands-the Belle was running before
fair wind at the rate of ten knots an hour.
1t was splen did tropical nioht-the stars
large and shining; the moon rising above the
horizon, as large as a sun of silver the line of
ocean parting it, and long stream of pale.
shlmmering light, falling. upon the waves,
which as they broke, sparkled like jewels.
sat upon the deck, smoking my pipe and
wa ching them -
All was quite still, except the football of the
watch, as ne paced the deck-gazing as did
upon que snaaow OF the vessel, stealing over
'H9 i Ir1en s;, waters. 81
foVe silence and order-I hate noise and
CONFUSION, The lights should all have been ex-
tlngulsned by TINS tune but when looked up
On tne ueck, thought saw a little red hue of
ag h Jus, 3aso u .h my feet. At another time
ana place thus would have made me angry;
pul h SHOWING tne nght came from the cabin of
Thy ny n.e LIE aeporseS determined to see what
'ngy were ABOUT,
49,, l n naa;e only to look DOWN. could see into
'uT ma Sapan tlrougn tne sky-lght:
Inc young girl was upon her knees; she was
saying ner prayers. a lamp swinging from
i sne ee,pns ngnted her room. She had on a
mo hair aootsd uress, ana her fair golden shin
to5ched 1ro TttIa FL mef shoulders, and almost
ino from nndnr hon oaro ieet' Whlch were peep
vss t,rn;r,+ u 1rra ne. Whitc dress SO pretty.
old soid;arfS WI ~. psnaW sald l, am an
The bn hand was s;ttirs, II. 90 stayed.
bis head rasti,, hot,,.o a.,n9 upon lttie trunk,
her as she nraved Sha LIS ; nanos looking at
heaven, and then saw her large blue ewes
were hlled with tears She looked like Mac
dalene. AS she arose, he said:
"Ah, my sweet Laurette, as we approach
America, cannot help being anxious-T do
not know why-but feel that this voyage has
been the happlest part OF our lives"
so it seems to me-" she answered, 81 only
wish 1T could last forever"
Suddenly clasping his hands in transport
otlove and affection, he said @
And yet, my little angel,I see you always
cry when you ssy your prayers, and that can
not stand, for know what causes it, and then
L Tear you must repent what you have DONE"
repent she replied in sad, rebuking tone.
,1.epent OF having come with you. Do you
lnlnh because nave Deen yours only such a
very very s1ort tlme that should not love
you. was hot your wlie? How can YOU be
sorry tDat should be with you, to live with
you II you are TO live, and to die with Won If
you are TO de!
Inc young man began to SIGH STRIKING tho
noor lmpatently with his feet, while he kissed
repeatedly the little hand and arm wb;oI s,Sa
was holding out '" 'io
"Ah, Laurette, Lauret.e! When I think i,