Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-07-26
SELECTED STORY
~o~No@ooo
MARRYING "A CONVICT.

[ bad served twenty-five years aboard al
East Indiaman, and for the last ten year
had commanded the Belle, one of the fines
crafts that ever foated. 1 was an old SCI
dog, and had dwelt SO long on salt waite
that I felt almost hatred for the land.
On the Goth of October, 1924, received
orders to put myself in readiness to sail fo
Cayenne. I was to transport seventy five
soldiers and convict. I had orders t.
treat this individual we'll, and the letter
had received from the directory enclosed an.
other with a huge red seal, which was no,
to open until between 81 and % degrees
west longitude; that is, just before we were
about to cross the line.
The letter was a long packet, so vel
closed on every side that it was impossible
to catch the slightest glimpse Of its contents.
I am not naturally superstitious, but there
was something in the looks Of the letter that
| did not altogether like, though I could give
no reason why. However, carried it into
the cabin, and stuck it under the glass of a
little shabby English clock, which was fas-
tened above my head
I was busy fixing the letter under the
clock. when who should come into the cabin
but the convict and his wife. This was the
first time had seen either Of them, and
may say that more prepossessing couple ]
never met. The woman was scarcely more
than fifteen, and as handsome as a picture
while the husband was an intelligent, mag
nifcently formed man, on whose features
nature had never written the word evil
lain.' Iii -t
His crime, to be plain, was the misfor-
tune Of being hundred years ahead Of bis
age. He and others had attempted to dc
something which our Government called
treason, and which was punished by death.
1t therefore occasioned me considerable
wonder that he should be placed under my
charge. But more Of this afterward.
He had, as said, his wife hanging on
his arm. She was merry as bird; she
looked like turtle dove cooling and nest
ling beneath his great wing.
Before a month had passed over our heads,
I looked upon them as my own children
Every morning used to call them into my
cabin. The young fellow would sit writing
at my table-that is to say, at my chest
which was my bed. He would often help
me at reckoning, and soon learned to do Sc
better than could. I was amazed at his
ability. His young wife would sit upon
one Of the round stools in my cabin. work
ing at her needle.
One day we were all three sitting in this
way, when / said: y4aa
DO you know, my young ones, as it
seems to me, We make very pretty picture
Mind, don't mean to ask questions, but
may be you have not much money to spare
and you are, both of you, Is think, toe
handsome to dig in the burning sun Of Ca
yenne, like many poor wretch before you
It's bad country--a bad country, take my
word for it. I, who have roughed it through
tempest and sunshine, till I've the skin o.
the rhinoceros, might get along there; bu
you'll am afraid for you. Soft you shoule
chance to have bit Of foolish friendship
for your old captain. I'll tell what Til do
I'll get rid Of this old brig she's not much
better than old an tub after all SO I'll settl'
myself down there with you, if you like
You see, I have not living soul in tn
world to care for, or that cares for me.
want relations, l want home, | want
family. SHOULD like to make my HON.
with you, my pretty ones. What say ye
They said nothing at all. but sat lookin!
first at each other and then at me, as
they doubted whether they understood wha
[ said.
I At last the little bird threw her arm
around my neck and cried like baby.
But said she, suddenly pausing, 'yo
have not looked at the letter with the bi
red SEAL
Hang it! exclaimed, it had slippe
my mind entirely
With cold, dreadful sensation, went
my chest to see where we were.
found that we had several days remain
ing before we should reach the proper lat
tude for opening the letter.
Well, there we stood, all three OF vi
looking up at the letter as if it could hay
spoken to us. AS it happened, the sun WI
, shining full upon the face Of the clock cas-
, and fell upon the great glazing red seal
the letter. I could not help fancylng
looked something like big monster,
ogre's face, grinning from the middle of tt
fire; it looked horrid.
Gould not one fancy said l, to ma
them laugh, it's great big eyes we're sta
ing out Of its head?
All, my love- said the wife, lit loo
). like blood
pooh, pooh p said her husband, taki'
ber arm under his, it looks like a letter
invitation to a wedding. Come, con