Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-08-04
Seletteo Mi5fella
THE MYSTl RIgUS LEGACY.
From the Western Monthly for July,

frame, hctlVe, hIIoIhi teuPoihhOht "AAu
iron will. He was sea-captain, genuine
sold salt" trained from boyhood under q
tarpaulin hat, and was as familiar with the
"path of the sea" as the shepherd with
those OF the sheep-pasture Spending his
life IN making extensive voyages, he was
seldom long enough at home for the salt
spray to dry on his weather-beaten cheeks;
and there was hardly port on the inhab-
liable globe in which he could not shake
hands with an old acquaintance, either
civilized or savage. Indeed, his home was
on the ocean; and his family, like an ost-
rich egg, was hid on the shore while he was
gone. =,
His history was, of course, crowded with
many interesting personal adventures,
frightful perils, and curious incidents, that
fell within the worldwide range OF his ex-
perienee and observation. The most of
these at the relation of which my childish
ears used to Jingle and my eyes dilate with
wonder have become SO faded in memory
as to be incapable of tolerable narration.
The following, however, seems to have
made a more lasting impression, owing,
perhaps, to its having been often repeated
at the family freside; uH
More than q hundred years ago, during
the calm that occurred between the old
"French war" and the American revolution
a large ship was lying at the wharf in the
town OF New York, laden with q valuable
cargo, and ready to sail for Liverpool and
thence to whatever portion OF the globe
chances Of commerce might dictate.
This was my grandfather's ship, waiting
only for her papers and fair wind The
paper6 were soon ready, and shortly after
them came the desired breeze. Presently
everything on board was in active motion
the casting.ofl and coiling OF ropes the
unfurling of canvas, the jocund tars run
ming ny and down the ratlines like spiders
on their webs; while the short, imperative
orders of the mate, and the hearty ''yo-
hoy-ho" of the cheerful crew, echoed over
the ripping water of the haIbor. which
looked in the rays of the setting sun as it
covered with a cream of liquid gold.
Just before the last plank was hauled in
a stranger stepped hurriedly on board and
inquired for the captains state-room. Be-
ing conducted thither, he entered and with
slight bow accosted the captain, who sat
writing at his desk.
"Yoa are bound for Liverpool, IbelieYe,
SIR"
eyes, sir.
81 am in poor health; and, intending to
spend the winter in Italy, wish to get
passage on til first ship that sails for Eu-
rope. Will you take passenger
"les, sir, ii my accommodation will suit
you"
"No matter about the accommodations,
captain; lam an old sailor, and know how
to accommodate myself. Besides, the trim
OF your ship suits my eye"
The allusion to his ill-health attracted
my grandtather's scrutiny, and the introd-
ucton of himself as an old sailor tot, L ID
his heart On noticing him more psrti-
cuarly, he was struck with all indefnable
feeling of curiosity and sympathy at his
appearance. Tall, straight, and ratn r
slender, he was dressed in fine black broad !
cloth, with sort of Spanish cloak of the |
same color and quality. A two.edged |
sword, common at that time on shipboard, |
and improperly called a cutlass, was partly |
covered by his cloak, aud hung at his side
without a sheath. His hair was quite gray, |
and his features were manly, and would |
have been handsome had they not been |
emaciated, which circum-
stance gave unpleasant prominence to sew
era sears more or less deep on different !
parts of his face. His eyes were blue, and |
full illuminated expression, but perpetual.
ly restless, except when showing sudden |
air OF abstraction. The looseness of one of
his black gloves gave evidence that he had |
lost finger or two from his left hand.
These observations were made by the
captain while the stranger was looking at
beautifully Unfinished sextant that lay upon
the table, and had for moment attracted
his attention. Turning suddenly, as if
started at his torgetfnlness, he resumed:
Name the price of thepassage, captain,
and will pay you now"
My grandfather had already fixed the
price in his mind ana replied:
you are sailor, sir, and sick. The
accommodations of my ship, as well as my
own services are at your free command,
The language OF u sailors heart cannot
be misunderstood, and needs no interpre-
ter and the stranger knew that remon-
STRANGE would be ungenorous. He made
no reply, but eagerly extended his hand,
and my grandfather, as lie took 1t, thought
he saw pearl in the sottened blue-ey.
But noble hearts are impatient of exhibi-
tons of gratitude, and he quickly added,
with a business roughness,
II am ready to sail, sir; is your baggage
on board2"
This is all my baggage, sir, he replied,
showing a small black satchel under his
cloak,
Leading him to his quarters, the captain
left and went on deck and soon the ship
WAS under weigh, the sails filed with stiff
breeze, and wharves, warehouses and
spectators growing small in the rapidly in
creasing distance.
The stranger soon made his appearance
above deck, and was politely invited aft
by the captain, who naturally wished to
learn something OF his history, but motto.
ING that be was not inclined to converse
ton, he left him to his own meditations,
wrapped in his cloak and leaning over the
rail. Silent and pensiye be reclined there,
gazing intsntly upon the sublime scene
around, the heaving swell OF the sea, new
ehopped by the increasing wind, the distant