National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-10-14

THE TRAGEDY OF ROBERT cATHERwooD.

Ethelda il name which so appears here and there
IN our family, said Mr. Catherwood reflectively allow
ing his coffee to cool its translucent cup we are Of
English descent you know, Mr. Gray. our Ethes grand
mother was named Ethelda-poor lady. Hers was sad
terrible fate"
Oh tell me about her - almost gasped Oliver
1t was ALWAYS believed that she taken captive by
pirates
All" murmured Oliver, his black eyes enlarginp
Yes. Did you ever hear of anything more ptful?''
Never his earnest response and he was so male
that Camilla would have laughed him only she could
never hear the story of her greatauns fate without
tears coming to her eyes
She young and beautiful, and so happy" muir
INJURED the narrator with much sympathy as If he had
been personally acquainted with her 1t came about in
this wise There two Catherwoods brothers. one of
whom conducted the mercantile house in London the
other in Bombay Some overtaking the London
branch, and some political occurring at the same
time induced the elder brother, in England, sell out
and emigrate to America where he established pros
business and his brother in India to dis
pose of his interests there if possible and Join him in
the New World. The Indian climate did not agree with
Robert Catherwood who had intended returning to his
native land until he received this letter when he chang
ed his mind concluded to to America, where it ap-
peared probable that he could still further enlarge his
handsome fortune by trading with Bombay At this
time he was about thirty of and had mar
ried only couple of years to fair English girl young
lovely and good who TO judge from his letters had
made him the happies of men She somew hat home
sick in India and quite willing to exchange Bombay for
New York
His Srother the present speakers grandfather wrote
to Robert to put as large sum of money he could
command into gems which could be procured to advan
tage in India and would be easily recoverable into
funds on his arrival this country where taste for
luxury growing the wealth of the cities increased
ed a lerva dor 4,
The voyages Of those days were tedious and not
without eNtraneous perl added TO those of navigation
Pirates were not unknown especially the Indian seas
but this only another nducement for Robert TO get
his wealth into the smallest possible compass Indeed
1t was still told in the family, that James the elder
brother advised him conceal the gems about his per
son by stitching them into his clothing that in case of
accident should they escape with their lives were it from
shipwrecked vessel what not their fortune woud he
/ rescued also
1t was never certain whether Robert thus converted
his funds but it taken for granted that he did He
wrote cheerful letter announcing that he had engaged
passage on certain merchant vessel to sail at such
date. along with his wife and baby girl
These the last immediate tiding- they ever re
ceiyed from him. My grandfather-I have often heard
him tell continued Mr.. Catherwood waited and
watched for the expected ship until he grew worn and
sck with waiting and watching
Full two after the loss Of the vessel one wild
and stormy winter night the old brass knocker on the
door of my grandfather city houseth the cosy one still
occupy Mr. Grey. although have a bell to the door
w-thundered forth succession of imperous raps
which aroused all its inmates 1t was midnight and
family and servants had long retired except the master
OF the dwelling who CHANGED be still sitting up in his
library looking over his private papers
startled BY the sudden knocking, and with present.
meht thrhng nm that some revelation of Importance
awaited MN ne hurried to the door. II took him two
minutes To draw back the iron bar placed before al
nR ana 10 "lthdra" the bolts and during that time
ne heard eht foot run down the steps and away from
the mouse On hrSt looking out he saw nothing great
rush OF "hh ana ram swept past him, and he made
movement 10 close the door before he perceived little
creature IN the doorway wrapped in warm cloak from
'ne h""u q" "hch the bright little ANXIOUS face peeped
ont ' she held np letter IN one OF her chubby hands
Is there no one with you2
"oo' mas gone way "7ped the child. He to Eths
mus give 90 letter.
the ram ana carried her IN ms arms into the library for
she could not nave been over three of where he
h'd her on MS knee while he tore the missve she
pore' ana t'au'
ih'ohu VINO gives you TINS paper is Etheda daugh-
V'' 81 "o"'' ana fuieha 'atherwood who were taken
r"'e ny Pta'e- something over two years ago. Her
'uer was Neu ny u.s. after holding nm captive over
"h'h of not acknowledging the truth about his money
ne uu not nave nearly so much as we expected. Her
mother di'd OF broken heart supposesiH months
ai'f compelled her 10 marry me, the captain Of the pr
'a ''7S'' was very iona OF her and might have be
come a b'tter man II she had lived However, that's
n'ther more nor Their" took pirates oath to her
her dying bed that would bring this child to its uncle
it and care for it a. his own. I've put myself ont GOOD