The Portland daily press., 1872-07-06
SELECTED STORY.
Aiding a Convict.


that ever floated. 1 was an old sea-dog, and
had dwelt so long on salt water that | felt al
most hatred for the land.
On the 10Th of October, 1924, received Or
ders to put myself in readiness to sail for cay
enne. | was to transport seventy-hVe SOL
diers and a convict. l had orders to treat
this individual well, and the letter had re-
ceived from the directory enclosed another,
with huge red seal, which was not to open
1mtil between 81 and 2S deg. west longitude,
that is, 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 contents. | am
not naturally superstitious, but there was
something in the look of the letter that did
not altogether like, though l could give no
reason why. However,, | carried it into the
cabin, and stuck it under the glass of little
shabby English clock, which was fastened
above my head. l 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 l had seen either of them,
and may say that more prepossessing cou-
pie never met. The woman was scarcely
more than fifteen, and as handsome as a pic
ture; while the husband was an intelligent,
magnificently formed man, on whose features
nature had never written william"
His crime to be plain, was the misfortune
of being a hundred years ahead of his age.
He and another had attempted something
which our government called treason, and
which it punished with 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 as merry as bird; she look
ed like turtle dove cooling and nesting be-
meath his great wing.
Before month had passed over our heads,
/ had 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 better than
/ could. / was amazed at his ability. His
young wife would sit upon one of the round
stools in my cabin working at her needle.
One day we were all three sitting in this
way when said:
do you know, my young ones, as it seems
to me we make very pretty family picture
Mind, | don't mean to ask questions, but
may be you have not much money to spare,
and you are, both of You, as l think, too
handsome to dig in the burning sun of Cay
enne, like many poor wretch before you
It's bad country-a bad country, take my
word for it. l, who have roughed it through
tempest and sunshine, till Pve the skin of a
Thinoceros, might get along there; but you,-
/ am afraid for you. So if you should chance
to have bit of foolish friendship for your
poor old captain, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll
get rid of this old brig; she's not much better
than an old tub, after all; so I'll settle my
self down there with you, if you like. You
see have not living soul in the world to
care for, or that cares for me. l want rela-
tons, want home, want family 1
should like to make my home with you, my
pretty young ones! What say yep"
They said nothing at all, but sat looking,
first at each other and then at me- as if they
doubted whether they understood what had
said
But at last the little bird threw her arms
around my neck and cried like baby.
But, "said she, suddenly pausing, "you
haven't looked at the letter with the big red
SEAL"
''Hang itp' 1 exclaimed, cit had slipped
my mind entirely"
With cold, dreadful sensation, went to
my chest to see where we were. | found
that we had several days remaining before we
should reach the proper longitude for opening
the letter.
Well, there we stood, all three of u.s. look
ing up at the letter as if it could have spoken
to us. As it happened the sun was shining
full upon the face of the clock case, and fell
upon the great staring red seal of the letter.
l could not help fancying it looked something
like big monster, an ogre's face, grinnng
from the middle of the fire; it looked horrid
"Could not one fancy" said 1, to make
them laugh, tits great big eyes were starting
out of its head ?''
"Ah, my love-" said the wife, at looks like
blood"
''Pooh, poohp' said her husband. taking
her arm under his, ''It looks like letter of
invitation to wedding. Come, come, leave
the letter alone if it troubles you so. Let's
go to our room and prepare for bed''
And off they went They went upon deck
and left me with that beast of letter. / re-
member that kept looking at it as smoked
my pipe; it seemed to fix its great red eye
upon mine, fascinating like the eye of a ser
pent. 1t was red, wide, raw, staring like the
NAV OF fierce wolf. / took my great coat
and hung it over both clock and letter and
went upon deck to finish my ripe.
We We're now in the vicinity of Cape de
Verde lslands--the Belle was running before
. fair wind at the tate of ten miles an hour.
1t was a splehdid tropical night, the stars
large and Ginning; the moon rising above the
horlzo.I, as large as sun of silver, the line of
ocean parting it, and long streams of bare,
shimmering light falling upon the waves,
which as they broke, sparllled like Jewels
sat upon the deck, smoking my pipe, and
looking at them.
All was was still, except the football of the
officer of the watch, as he paced the deck,
gazing, as was, upon the silent water.
love silence and order,-I hate noise and
confusion. The lights should all have been
extinguished by this time; but when 1 looked
upon the deck thought l saw a little red
hue of light beneath my feet. At another
time and rlla tbic hox 10
CRY; but knowing that the light came from
the cabin of my little deportes, determined
to see what they were about
had only to look DOWN. could see into
the cabin from the skylight.
Inc young girl was upon her knees she
was saying her prayers. A lamp swinging
from the ceiling lighted her room. She had
ON long white nightdress, so pretty. /
turned away; but pshawl said /, am an
old sailor! What matters it? So stayed.
Inc husband was sitting upon . little
tng az ner as she prayed. She raised her
we're niieu lth tears. She looked like
1na q? ID AS she rose, he said:
A -, :, my sweet Laurette, as we approach
Az -.erica, | cannot help feeling anxious-I do
not know why-but feel that this voyage
has been the happiest part of our lives. ;"
$50 it seems to me, she answered, 81 only
wish it might last forever.
Suddenly clasping his hands in transport
of love and affection, he said
"And yet, my little angel, see you cry
when you say your prayers, and that cannot
stand, for know what causes it, and then 1
Gear you must repent what you have done.
Repent" she said, in sad, rebuking
tone. "Repent of having come with you!
do you think because | have been yours only
such very, very short time, that should
be with you, to live with you if you live, and
TO die with you if you are to die?'
The young man began to sigh, striking the
floor impatiently with his foot, while he kiss
ed repeatedly the little hand and arm which
she was holding out
"Ah, Laurette, Laurette! When I think if
our marriage had been delayed only five DAYS,
that then should have been arrested and
alone, cannot forgive myself"
At this the little one stretched out her
round white arms, clasped his head, pressed
his forehead, his hair, his eyes, smiling like
cherub, and murmuring all sorts of womans
fond things. l was quite affected, and con-
sidered it one of the prettiest scenes had ev-
er witnessed.
NAnd besides, we are so very rich toor'
said she, bursting out laughing ''Look at
my purse, one gold louis dor,-all my world
ly wealth."
He began to laugh too.
EYES, dear, / have spent my last half
crown. l gave it to the fellow who carried
our trunks on board.''
SAh DnOrp' cried she what ,nat+ar, $40