The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-04-14
LAFITTE,
THE BARBARIAN CHIEF
TALE FOUNDED on FACT.

impotence rashly," said Mr.. Mornton ;
loved her as we'll as you. All |
feel too well | loved her: my heart was
bound up in the happiness of Mary: but
nothing earthly could save her from the
conqueror arms. Oh Mortimer,
these hands closed her eyes, and this
bosom received her last sigh: aud her
dying exclamation, My dear father, [
am hasteniug to the company Of my
Mortimer = still sounds in my ears"
His grief found vent in tears, and
summoning all my fortitude, ventured
to make an inquiry respecting her de-
cease, and the time the heart rending
event took place.
"You well remember" answered Mr..
Mornton, the manner in which you
left Charleston. Though it was imme-
diately known that Mr.. Hanson fell by
your hands, my endeavors were success.
fully excrted in preventing any attempt
to pursue you till you were safe beyond
their reach, and as the event was one of
no uncommon occurrence it soon ceased
to be subject of remark, and Mary
flattered herself that soon you would be
able to return to this place, and visit
your friends in safety. In the mean
time, 10 information whatever was re-
ceived of the Speedwell, and we began
to fear that she had been lost at sea, and
all on board had been lost. 1t was not
until after several months of painful
suspense, that the account of the execu-
tion of the pirates reached us in the pa
pers from Jamaica: In their confession
the capture of the Speedwell and The
murder of all her crew, occupied a
prominent place, and accounted with
awful certainty for your long silence
[ here interrupted Mr.. Mornton with
short account of the loss of the Speed.
well, the manner in which | was pre-
served from death, my residence on the
Island, and my escape to HAVANA
After [ had closed, he proceeded.
Though | cnleayored to conceal the
fatal event from Mary, it was in vain
the account was copied in the City Ca
zette, and was instantly noticed by her
This was the termination of Mary's
hopes-the death blow to her happiness.
The roses fled from her lips; society
lost its charms she refused to see com
pany, and was evidently Fastening to
that place where the weary are at rest.
Although [ was much alarmed about
her | could not persuade her to believe
she was in danger. She always met me
with a smile, but it only served to rem
der more visible to the watchful eye of
parental anxiety, the hectic flush of her
lily countenanoe-Hoping that change
of objects, a sea voyage to New York,
and the diversity of objects which we
should meet in that plac:, might have
beneficial effect in restoring her to health
| proposed her accompanying me to the
northern metropolis. Accustomed to
yield implicit obedience to my wishes,
she made no objection to the proposal,
although she assured me it would do
her no good and the result verified the
prediction. She declined rapidly on our
voyage home, was carried from the YES.
sci to her chamber, which she never
again left. Annette watched over her
with the tender anxiety of sister, and
alleviated the wearisome hours of sick.
ness by every consolation in the power
Of friendship to bestow. Not a murmur
escaped her. My dear father, she would
say weep not for me we shall again
meet, to be for ever happy While life
lasted, of earthly objects you were up
permost in her affections and the last
quivering accents of her tongue vibra
ted with your name |"
Lovely Martyrp l exclaimed,
when he ceased speaking, go, why coul
not L have flown to thee? why could
not my bosom have received the fatal
arrow, that l might have accompanied
thee to brighter and better world ?
And, endeared Annette, heaven will
bless thee for thy kindness to my depart
ed Mary. May thy hopes never be
blighte5, like those Of that lovely VIC
tim but may the smiles of heaven
shower down blessings upon thee, and
thy pathway of life be strewed with
flowers"
Though l would not deny you the
sacred luxury of grief" SAID Mr. Morn
ton, } would entreat you not to in
dulge in it to excess. Tears will relieve
your bursting heart and reflection will
give you tortitude to support your loss
You will retire to your chamber, for we
shall never be tired of converslng and
thinking of our Mary"
g. No: never y L replied, wringing
his hand, as he accompanied me to my
chamber, aud left me, as he concluded,
to my repose Vain attempt my burn
ing brain forbade the most distant ap
proach of rest reflected on my loss,
until my Imagination could bear it no
longer. | became bewildercd, and the
last that / can recollect, was my smt-
ing my forehead AID exclaiming-O,
Mary would to heaven that | had died
with thee !"
in what manner l left Charleston, is
4 l.. Al.