Middletown transcript., 1869-01-23
Popular Tales.
THE MYSTERIOUS WIDOW.

A. . AuEinH tuo touuiiHcT Vi lolf the DrltlSn
had not only laid claim to all that portion
of the District in Maine lying east of the
Penobscot, but Admiral Griffith and Sir
John Sherbrooke, the latter then being
the Governor of Nova Scotia, had been
sent with heavy force to take possession,
aud occupied the town of Castine, which
place commands the entrance to the Pc
nobscot river. Shortly before the arrival
Of the English squadron, Commodore Sam
ucl Tucker had been sent around to Pc
nobscot Bay to protect the American coas-
ters, and while the British sailed up to
Castinc, he lay at Thomaston.
l. IL was schooner that the Commodore
commanded, but she was heavy one, well
armed and manned; and that she carried
the true Yankee "grit" upon her decks
the enemy had received, from them, rath-
er too many proofs. On the morning of
the 28th of August, messenger was sent
down from Belfast with the intelligence
that the British frigate was coming from
Castine to take him. Tucker knew that
the British feared him, and also that Sir
John Sherbrooke had offered large a.
mount for his capture
When the Commodore received the in
telligence, his vessel was lying at one of
the low wharves where he would have to
wait two hours for the tide to set him off; (;
but he hastened to have everything pre-
pared to get her Off as soon as possible, for
he had no desire to meet the frigate
The schooner's keel was just cleared
from the mud, and one of the men had
been upon the wharf to cast off the bow
line, when a wagon drawn by one horse
came rattling down to the spot. The driv-
or. rough looking countryman, got out
upon the wharf, and then assisted middle
aged woman from the vihicle. The lady's
first enquiry was for Commodore Tucker.
He was pointed out to her, and she step
ped upon the schooner's deck, and ap-
preached him.
q Commodore" abe asked, 'swhcn do
you sail from here"
3" We sail right off, as soon as possible,
madam"
"Oh, then, know you will be kind to
me-" the lady urged, in persuasive tones.
My poor husband died yesterday, and I
wish to carry his corpse to Wicasset, where
We belong, and where his parents will take
care oft"
50 But, my good woman, shan't go to
Wicasset" ;"
'.f you will only land me at the mouth
Of the Sheepscot, | will ask no more. I
can easily find a boat there to take me
up"
"Where is the body 2" asked Tucker.
"In the wagon" returned the lady, at
the same time raising the corner of her
shawl to wipe away the gathering tears.
'.I have sum of money with me, and you
shall be paid for your trouble"
" Tut, tut, woman if I accommodate
You there wont be any pay about it."
The kind-hearted old Commodore was
mot the man to refuse favor, and though
he liked not the bother of taking the wo-
man and her strange accompaniment on
board, yet he could not refuse. When he
told her he would do as she had request
ed, she thanked him, with many tears in
her eyes.
Same of the men were sent upon the
wharf to bring the body on board. A
long buffalo robe was lifted off by the man
who drove the wagon, and beneath it ap-
peared neat black coffin. Some words
were passed by the seamen, as they were
putting the coffin on board, which went
to show pretty plainly that the affair did
not exactly suit them. 1t may have been
but prejudice on their part, but then sea-
men should be allowed prejudice once in
p while, when we consider the many stern
realities they have to encounter. "Hush,
my good men," said the Commodore, as
ne heard their murmured remonstrances.
- Suppose you were to die away from
home-would you not wish that your last
remains might be carried to your poor pa
rents Come hurry now"
The men said no more, and ere lono the
coffin was placed In the hold, and the wo-
man was shown to the cabin. Tn less
than half an hour, the schooner was clear
ed from the wharf, and standing out from
the bay. The wind was light from the
eastward, but Tucker had no fear of the
higate noW that be was once out of the
hay.