Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-07-18
THE SEALED INSTRUCTIONS.

THE SEALED lNSTRUCTlONS.
I had served twenty-five years on board
an East Indlaman, and for the last ten
years had commanded the Belle, one OF
the finest crafts that ever loated. l was
an old sea dog, and had dwelt so long on
salt water that felt almost hatred to
the land.
On the Goth of October, 1894, I received
orders to put myself in readiness to sail
for Cayenne. was to transport seventy
five soldiers and convict. | had orders
to tleat this individual well, and the letter
had received from the directory enclosed
another, with huge red seal, which | was
not to open until between q and % de-
crees west longitude; that is, before we
were about to cross the line.
The letter was long packet, 80 well
closed on every side that it was impossible
to catch the slightest glimpse of its cou-
tents. I am not naturally supcfstitious,
but there was something in the look of the
letter that [ did not altogether like,
though could give noreason why. How
ever. carried it into the cabin, and stuck
it under the glass of a little shabby Eng
lish clock, which was fastened above my
head. was busy fixing the letter under
the clock, when who should come into my
cabin but the convict and his wife ! This
was the first time | had seen either Of
them, and may say that a more prepos-
scssing couple | never met. The woman
was scarcely more than fifteen, aud as
handsome as picture, while the husband
was an intelligent, magniiicently formed
man, on whose features nature had never
written civilian"
His crime, to be plain, was the misfor-
tune of being hundred years ahead Of
his AGE. He and others had attempted
something which our government called
treason, and which is punished with death
1t, therefore, occasioned me considerable
wonder that he should be placed under my
charge; but more Of this attcrward.
He had, as l said, his wife hanging Oh
his arm. She was as merry as a bird; she
looked like a turtle dove cooling and nest
ling beneath his great wings.
Before month had passed over oul
heads, looked upon them as my OWE
children. Every morn | 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 soor
learned to do better than could. | was
amazed at his ability. His young wife
would sit upon one of the round stools il
my cabin. working at her needle.
One day we were all three sitting il
this way when said
"Do you know, my young ones, as il
seems to me we make very pretty family
picture? Mind, don't mean to ask ques
tions, but may be you have not mucl
money to spare, and you are both Of You
as | think, too handsome to dig in TIT
burning sun of Cayenne, like many poo
wretch before you. It's bad country
bad country, take my word for it.
who have roughcd it through tempest anc
sunshine, till I've the skin of a rhinoceros
might get along there's but yOu-I an
afraid for you. So, if you should Chanc
to have a bit of foolish friendship for you
poor old captain, III tell you what I'll dc
IN get rid of this old brig she's not nue.
better than an old tub, after all; so II
settle myself down there with you, if yor
like. You see have not living soul il
the world to care for, or that cares for me
want relations, want home, wan
family. I should like to make my HON
with you, my pretty young ones! Wha
say yea"
They said nothing at all, but sat lookin
at each tother and then at me, as if the
doubted whether they understood what
said.
At last, the little bird threw her arm
around my neck and cried like baby.
"But," said she, suddenly pausing, "yo
haven't looked at the letter with the bi
red SEAL"
"Hang tt" | exclaimed. SIT had slil
ped my mind entirely"
With a cold, dreadful sensation, wen
to my chest to see where we were.
found that we had several days remainin
before we should reach the proper long
tude for opening the letter.
Well, there we stood, all three of IL
looking up at the letter as though it coul
have spoken to us. As it happened the su
was shining full upon the face of the cloc
case, and fell upon the great glazing re
seal of the letter. could not help fancy
ing it looked something like big monstc
an ogre's face, grinning from the middle I
the fire; it looked horrid.
"Could not one fancy" said ], to max
them laugh, cts great big eyes were sta
Ing out of its head ?"
"Ah, my love-" said the wife, ''it look
like blood"
Pooh, pooh p said her husband, takin
her arm under his, sit looks like lette
Of invitation to wedding. Come, COM
leave that letter alone if it troubles you 81
Let's 20 to our room and prepare for bed
And off they went. They went upo
deck and left me with that beast Of a lei
tar I roman hor tba az Lent Iodine, AZ