The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-25
MY WEES PROMISE;
The Demon OF tho North.
BY MISS ME-. BRADDoN.

Itwasmy fate at On early period of my life
To abandon myself to the delights OF q career
which of all others exercises the most potent
fascination over the mind OF him VINO pursues
it, As boy, joined band OF brave adven-
tarers in an Arctic expedition, and from ths
heur in which first saw the deep cold blue OF
the northern sea, and felt the subtle influence
of the rarefed polar air, was for all common
purposes and objects OF life lost man. The
expedition was unfortunate, though us ieauer
was wise and scientific navigator-hls suoor-
dinates picked men. The result was bitter
disappointment and more bitter loss-loss OF
valuable lives as well as Of considerable funds.
came back from my cruise IN the weather,
wise. to the Western world, rejoiced beyond
measure at the idea OF being once moro at
homo, and determined mover again to race tne
horrors Of that perilous region which had loss
me so many dear companions. L, hlchard
Dunrayne, was the elder son OF wealthy
6ohse, and there were few positions when
need have been impossible for mo had as
pired to the ordinary career affected by Brltlsn
youth. had been indulged in my early pas
sion for the sea in my later rage for Arctic ex-
ploration, and it was hoped that should nov
settle dowa to O pursuit more consonant Wlth
the views and wishes Of my people. My mother
went over her restored treasure, and confessed
hsw terrible had been her fears during my
absence; my father congratulated me upon
hsviug ridden my hobby, and alighted there
from without broken neck, and my 1anly
anxiously awaited my choice OF profession.
Such q choice found impossible. II had
bartered myself body and soul, by most ex-
plcit formula, to some demon OF the lceoergs; S;
or incarnstc spirit OF the frozen sea, eou'd
not have been more completely bound than
was. In my dreams, again and again, WITH
maddening repetition. trod the OLD pains,
and saw, ghastly white against the intense
purple Of the northern sky, the walls Of ice
that had blocked our passage. 1t seemed 10
me that if could but so myself again In that
dread solitude, would be certainty.
ssA new expedition, aided by the knowledge OF
the past must succeed" said to myself; and
when could no longer fight against the pro-
possession that held me- consulted the sur
Yivols OF our unfortunate voyage, and founo
in !hsir opinions the actual echo OF my own
convictions.
success, but was to me ono prolonged scene
of enjoyment. was skilful seaman and ma
vigator, no indifferent sportsman, and having
acquired some slight reputation during the
previous voyage, now ranked high amoDg the
Junior officers on board the Ptarmigan. We
wintered at Repulse Bay, with short stock
of fuel, and shorter supply OF .'roylsloEs; !;
but we managed with minimum OF the for
mer luxury, and supplied all deficiency OF the
latter by the aid OF our guns.
The brief suRmer of that northern latitude
brought us some small triunphs. We spent
eecond winter in snow-houses, which resem-
bled gigantic bee-hives, and were the snaggcst
possible habitations, and in the second sum
mer turned onr course homeward, IN excellent
health and spirits. l returned to England TO
find nv mothers grave bright with familiar
autumnal flowers in suburban cemetery, and
to know tkGt the tender arms which had clun 2
about me in the hour Of parting would never
encircle me again. The blow was severe
one. and for some time to come thought WIN
aversion Of that strange northern woriu wnicn sa
had cost me, and which was yet to cost me, so
much. ~
Time passed, and remained In England, at
ive-ana-twenty years OF age, broken Man.
Away froA my old comrades OF the Meathet-
wise and the Ptarmigan, had not friend tor
whom really cared; and as the civilized WorId
drew day by day more distasteful to me, the
old lor ,ing revived-the old dreams haunted
INV sleep. In my fathers handsome drawing
rooms I yearned for the rough stone cabin OF
Repulse Bay, or the snow-hives of Crozier.
Another expedition was afoat and letters from
INV old messmates announced anticipated tri-
un1phs, and warned me of the remorse which L
should suffer whom the hardy victers returned
to reproach the idler who preferred to hive at
home at ease, while other-frieuds were drifting
among the ice-foes, anu boarding the SrlzziT
tyrant of the North.
let them 60 without me, at what sacrifice
,5as only known to myself. Ny fathers health
had been declining from tho hour OF my moth
.er's death, and was determined not to leave
him. For three empty patient years remain
ed at home my hands reverently closed the
ayes that had never looked on mo but With al
Yection and I alone watched the last quiet
sleep. This being done, was free once moro,