The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-08-03
MARRYING A CONVICT

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had served twenty-five years on board
an East lndiaman, and for the last ten wears
had commanded the Belle one OF the finest
crafts that ever hoated was an old sea
dog. and had dwelt so long on salt water
that ielt almost hatred for the land.
On the 10Th Of October, 1924, | received
orders to put myself in readiness to sail for
Cayenne. ] was to transport seventy-fi five
soldiers and convict / had orders to
treat this individual well, and the letter /
had received from the directory enclosed
another, with a huge re SEAL which was
not to open until between 81 and % deg.
west longitude; that's, just before we were
about to cross the line.
The letter was long packet, so well
closed on every side that it was impossible
to catch the slightest glimpse OF its con
tents. / am not naturally superstit ious,
but there was something in the look ofthe
letter that did not altogether like, though
could give no reason why. However. |
carried it into the cabin, and stuck it un.
der the glass OF little shabby English
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 more prepossessing couple
never met. The woman was scarcely
more than fifteen, and as handsome as
picture; while the husband was an intelli.
gent, magnificenuy formed man, on whose
features nature had never written william"
Ills crime, to be plain, was the misfor-
tune OF being hundred years all cad Of bis
age lie and others had attempted some
thing which our government called trea-
son, and which it punished with death 1t
therefore occasioned me considerable won.
der that he should be placed under my
charge but more Of this afterward.
lie bad, as said, his wife hanging on
his arm. She was as merry as bird; she
looked like turtle dove cooling and nest
ling beneath his great wing
Before a month hal passed over our
heads looked upon them as my own chill.
dren. Every morning used to call them
into my cabin. The young fellow would
ait writing at my table; that is to say. at
my chest, which was my bed lie would
often bel me at reckoning, aud soon learn
Ell to DO better than | could was amaz.
ed at his ab lity. His young wife would
AIT upon one OF the round stools in my cab
No. working at her needle
One day we were all three sitting in thi.
way when / said
DO you know my young on IS. A. it
seems to me we make very pretty family
piclurc2 Mind, don mean to ask ouc-.
tons. but may be you have not much mon
ey to spare, and you are, both Of you. ~ !
THINK, too handsome to Dig in the burning
sun Of Cayenne, like many poor wretcl,
before you. It's bad codntry-a bal
country take my word Tor il (, wi.o have
roughed it through tempest, and sunshine
ull We the skin E a rhiuoceros. might &c,
along there but you-l am afraid Tor YOU.
10. If you should chance TO have bit OF
foolish friendship i9r your poor old CAP
tain I'll tell you what I'D do. III get rid
OF 'hi- old brig she'sno. much better than
A. old tul, after all 40 I'll settle m,aell
down there with you if,ou like Yon be.
have not living soul TO- the world to
care for or that cares Tor me- want r,.
Is"ons, want home want family {
should like to make my home with Won
10y pretty young ones! what say youy
They said nothing at an. but sat l,ok,,.
first at each other ana then at me a. I
they doubted WHISTLER they urdrr.,o,I
what said
AZ lat the hulc bird threw her arm.
around my neck and cried Ike haL,
But said she ssddeuly passir- $50,
Invent locke at the letter With the HI.
red seal
Hang 10" Iexc'aimcd 'it had slime.
my mimi entirely"