Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-26

shore, in stupor of grief and despair,
gazed upon the cold sea, expecting yet
dreading the appearance of their stark
and lifeless bodies. 1t was a scene to
touch the hardest heart. There was pray
ing, there was weeping and crying aloud,
and there was silent grief, that only spoke
in locks of deep and bitter suffering.
But this could not always last. That
day was not to be one only of sorrow and
mourning to ALL Just as the last gray
light was fading out of the 'ershadowed
heavens, the life-boat, with its precious
burden of human souls, shot through the
breakers and struck her keel upon the
sand far up the beach, where scores OF
ready hands laid hold with iron grip upon
the line thrown out, and snatcbed her
from the quick returning wave.
They were all there--those daring,
noble men-not one the greedy'sea had
swallowed up. Kind Providence, 30
earnestly besought in many fervent
prayer, had brought them safely back
again to home and loving friends.
But that was all. No childish voice
was heard, no youthful form was seen
among them-little Mary was not with
them, she had not been found. Yes,
they had returned wholly unsuccessful.
The island had been res ched in safety,
and thorough search throughout its
greatest extent had revealed the fact
that the child was not there. lndi-
cations of her having been there that
day, and evidences upon the beach
&c ~ do rf.,r n
beyond that nothing. %
This was crushing intelligence to the
poor mother, who had through all hoped,
and more than half expected, that her
child would be found on the island. They
were very tender with her, and endeavored
to soothe the anguish of her bruised and
sorrowing heart. But it was little that
words of sympathy could do for her.
The sudden weight of grief the terrible
excitement wrought by fear and sus-
pense, had been too great for her frau
strength, and before the midnight hour
she was raving in wild delirium of fever.
Morning came again, and with it lull
in the storm that had ragged so long and
fercely. Once more a numerous COM
pany of sympathizing neighbors and
friends visited Sheppey Island for the
purpose of making a more careful exam
ination in every part. But it was all in
vain, and the search was thence
forth abandoned as hopeless. The child
was lost to the living-it was insane to
believe or hope for anything else.
Throughout that day, and part of the
next, careful watch was kept along the
shore for the body of little Mary, which
they looked to see washed in by the tide.
But these were fruitless efforts all
neither the child nor her boat were found,
nor any indications of either discovered.
Then each returned to his accustomed
avocation, and the business affairs of the
quiet neighborhood of TandaHk moved
again iu their wouted channels. One
little form was missed among the goers
and comers; one sweet face was seen no
more at the country side or at the viii
lage market; one happy household was
broken up, yet the loss was not so deeply
felt in the public heart that the selfish
interests of life could not eradicate all
unpleasant traces Of it, in the course of
time.
In the establishment at Tandauk Place
no change had occurred in the few days
that followed the sad events just narrated.
Still this augured no good to the mem
bers Of that unhappy household.
At first it was greatly feared that the
terrible excitement to which Robbie had
been subjected, together with his reckless
exposure 10 the rigor of violent tenn
pest, would result in sudden and severe
illness; which, in his enfeebled condition,
could only terminate fatally. The best
medical counsel that could be obtained
was promptly called in, and the profes-
sional Judgment was that sudden reac-
ton was thing to be expect ted-wss
quite certain to follow, indeed.
But in this that professional judgment
erred. The lad, from the moment OF his
removal from that wild scene on The
beach, had remained in low, tranee-like
stupor, from which there was yet no
awaking and no reaction.
For time this was thought to be the
result OF powerful mental tension, deep,
despairing grief, which would wear itself
out, and result in great mental and phys
ical prostration. But as the days went
by and no such change appeared, the
physicians accepted the conclusion that |
this condition was itself the reactory |
state they had been looking for, and that |
the depression Of body and mind, so |
greatly feared, was hourly increasing.
Lady Anna, as well as her medical sd-
yisers, was alarmed for the boys recov
ery aad the restoration Of his reason. All
we're agreed in recommending for the
lad change Of scene and circumstances,
as the only means of recalling his mind
from that absorbing sorrow that en-
chained it
Lady Auns had friend, with whom
she had long maintained intimate rela-
tons, and who was as ready to sympa-
thize with her in sffiiction as 8 sister
could have been. This lady resided in
Msrgate, and to her Lady Anna deter
mined TO send her son at once, andfollow
herself in q few days, as soon as she
could effect the necessary arrangements !
for an absence Of several weeks.
This plan was promptly carried into
effect. Old John Byron, and kind lady
employed in the neighborhood as nurse,
panied the lad, and the close Of the
second day found them comfortably To-