The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-02-16
Srlett Z gtorp.
THE MYSTERIOUS 5ll.J WIDOW.


] iIB british not only: laid. claim TO all tha
4 portion Of, the district OF Maine lying
east OF. Penobasrot, but Admira
Grihsth and Sir John Sherbrook, tht
latter then being the Governor of Nov,
Scotia, had been sent with a heav,
force to take possession, and occupy
the town of Castine, which. place com
mauds the entrance TO the Penobsco
! River. Shortly before the arrival oi
the English squadron, Commodore
Samuel Tucker had been sent around
Ito Penobscot =, Bay to protect the
American coasters, and while the
British sailed upon Castine. lac lay at
ThOmaston. .,. .s''
1t was new schooner that the Com
modore commanded, but she was a
heavy one, well armed and manned !;
and she carried the true Yankee
''grit upon her deck the enemy had
rec ived from them too many proofs.
On the morning of the 28th OF August,
n messenger was sent down from Bel
fast with the intelligence that the
British fir gate was coming from Cas-
tine to take him. Tucker knew that
the British feared him, and that also
Sir John SHERLOCK had offered large
amount for his capture. .... .
" hen the Commodore received the
intelligence his vessel. was lying at
one OF the low wharves where he
would have to wait two hours for the
tide to set him OIL, but he ha..tened to
have everything prepared to get her
off as soon as possible Tor he lad no
desire to meet the frigate. o..
The schooner's keel was ju cleared
from the mud, and one OF the men had
been sent upon the wharf to cat IF
the bovine, when wagon drawn by
one horse came rattling down to the
spot. The driver, rough looking
countryman, got out upon the whar
and then assisted middle-aged wo-
man from the vehicle. The lady's
first inquiry was for Commodore
Tucker, He was pointed out to her
AMI approached him.
"'Commodore," she asked, "when
do you sail from here" .... , !
ave sail right of, as soon as pos
sible, maaam
"Uh, then knew you will be kind
10 me-" the lady urged in persuasive
tones. My poor husband died yes
terday and wish to carry mis- corpse
to Wicasset, where he belongs, and
where his parents will take care OF
it," .',.- @-. -.Ea.-.
But. my good woman, shan't |
70 to w Wicasset." -E-E
II; you will only land me at the
mouth of the Sheepscot. L will ask 10
more. L can easily find a boat there |
TO take me up" rld : -.
"Where is the bodylS asked Tuck
er. - @ LID ,- .f -......a Il
rrfIn the wagon" returned the lady,
1t the same time raising the corner oi
her shawl to wipe away the tears 'l
nave u sum oil money with me and yJu
shall, be well paid for your trouble"
'Hfut, tut, woman; ii accommodate
yeu there won't be no pay about it."
g The kind. hearted old Commodore
was not the man to refuse favor, and
,hough he liked not the bother OF tax
ng the woman and her strange accom-
,animent on board, yet he could not
.efuse. When he told her he would
10 as she had requested, she thanked
lin with many tears in her eyes
Some OF the men were sent upon
he wharf to bring the body on board.
long buffalo robe was lifted OFF by
he man that drove the wagon, and
it there appeared neat, black
.offin. Some words were passed by
he seamen, as they were putting the
;ofhn on board, which went to show
pretty plainly that the affair did not
exactly suit them. 1t may have been
put prejudice once in n while,
when we consider the stern realities
hey have to encounter. "Hush, my
rood men," said the Commodore, as
ne heard their murmured re-
Suppose you were to
lie away from home. woulI you not
wish that your last remains might be
carried to your poor parents? Come,
hurry now"
The men said no more, AID ere
ong the coffin was placed in the hold,
md the woman shown to the cabin.
In less than half an hour, the schoon-
,r was cleared from the wharf, and
standing out from the bay. The wind
vas light from the eastward, but
Tucker had no fear of the frigate now !,
hat he was once out of the bay.
81 In the evening, the lady passenger
came on deck, and the Commodore as
,ured her that he would be able to
and her early on the next morning.