The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1872-08-01

mother gave me they are good fol
something all the world over; we can
sell them when you like; and Besides
l am sure that the captain meant kind
~ BY us, and / suspect he knows very
well what is in the letter. 1t is a rc.
commendati0n to the Governor OF
Cayenne"
Perhaps 90; who knows?"
TO be sure It is,n continued the
charming little wife. "You are so
good, l am sure the government has
banished you only for short time. i
know they have no feeling against
YOU"
| 1t was high time that the light
should be stricken out, and now
raped on the deck as a signal for
them to do so. 8
They instantly obeyed, and l heard
them laughing and chattering like two
in0cent sch0olfellows.
One morning when I awOke was
surprised not to fool She siiglltest nlU.
ton of the vessel. Hurrying on deck
I found that we were becalmed in
latitude, one degree north longitude,
between twcnty-seven and twenty
eight degrees west.
l waited until night, when I de-
scended to my cabin and opened the
letter, with q dull, awful feeling.
held my breath while I broke the big
red seal, and read.
Captain Fontainbleau: The con-
vict, Antoine Hindsclear, stands con-
victed of high treason against the Re-
public. The directory order that he
be shot in mid-0cean, aud you are
hereby instructed to sec that these
orders are carried into effect"
l read the letter backward and for.
ward. went upon deck. There they
were, she looking upon the ocean, and
he gazing upon her with an expression
of unutterable fondness. Catching
his eye signed for him to come into
my cabin, bidding her goodbye he
came down, his face all smiles.
was bathed in q cold sweat: feb
as IL deadly sick; l handed him the
letter, and he read it, together with
the death warrant, which was drawn
up in due form and attached. Il
gathered voice as he finished.
He cOlored slightly and bowed.
II ask nothing, captain" he said, in
the same gentle voice that always char
acterized his speech; "no man can be
expected to swerve from his duty.
only wish to speak few words to
Laurctta, and to entreat you to take
care of her If she survives--I hardly
think she will"
"All that is fair, my good fellow /
cried. |" If you request it / will carry
her back to France, to her family.
will never leave her until she wishes
to be rid Of me, but do not think she
will survive it."
He took my hand and pressed it.
Most kind captain, / see you suffer
more in this business than / debut
thereeis no help for it. trust you will
preserve what little property of mine
Is left for her eakc, and that Won will
take care she gets what her motker may
leave her. put her lifb, her honor In
your hands. She is, (and how fondly
low his voice became,) "a delicate lit
tie creature-her chest is often affect
ed she must keep It warm and il she
could keep the two diamond rings her
mother gave heEsI tshnRld be glad bnt
must go. Ny poor IaurcaS -hRSw
pretty she looks"
1t was getting too much for me, and
began to knit my brows.
zone word is as good as thousand, y
said. "We understand each other.
Go to her."
squeezed his hand he looked wist-
fully at me, and added: Stay mo-
ment-let me give you . word of adj
vice. Don't say word to her that Is
my business. 1t shall be managed in
the best manner"
"Ah!" said he, "I did not under.
stand yes, much better. Besides, this
leave-taking! Oh, this leave-taking!"
Yes" said l, "dOn't behave like a
child. No leave-taking If You can help
1t, or You are lost"
kept my seat. saw them walking
arm in arm upon the deck for about
half an hour.
called the mate to me, and when he
had read the letter, said:
"Garley, this is bad business-bad
business. put it i'm your hands. /
obey these orders, but l remain i'm the
cabin until it is over"
"How do you wish the thing done ?'
he asked in nOncllalent manner.
Take him IN boat-out of sight /;
do it as quick as possible; don't say
anything about it until the time comes" !"
Garley sat five minutes looking at
me. He was strange fellow. don't
know what to make Of him. He then
went out of the cabin without saying a
word.
Night came at last. "Man boat !;
go quarter Of mile be quick"
TO1obey slip Of paper! for il was
but slip of paper after all. Some
thing In the very air must have urged
me on. l saw the young man kneel
down before his Lauretta; kiss her
kneesi kiss her feet kiss her gown
cried like madman:
"Part them! Part them this im-
slant! Part them-curse the Repub-
lic--curse the directOry-l quit the
service! You may tell them il you
wilt"
She was dragged into her berth, and
| the boat rOwed away in the darkness.
Sometime after dull vOlly came
over.
Fool! madman! How paced the
deck and cursed myself. All night
long l paced back and forth, and all
night long heard the moaning of the
poor stricken bird.
Often l halted and was tempted to
| throw myself I'm the sea, and so end
| this hOrrid torture Of brain and heart.
Days passed; l saw nothing OF
IAuretta. would not see her. She
avoided me and I was glad of it.
could not bear the sight of that woe
| stricken face.
| The mate, Garley, how hated him
He was as cold and unconcerned as
though he had no remembrance ol
shooting the poor wretch.
At Cayenne resigned my ship. Co.
ing to the city, made all my arrange
1 ments, and took the steamer for New
York. placed ample funds in the
hands of trusty friend, and told him
to send Lauretta to me at the end o.
six months. could not see her unit
her grief had lost its edge.
Weary, sick and careless OF life,
wandered of into the New Yorl
State, and finally bought little place
where ! hoped should lie down and
die.
| sent for Lauretta Poor bird,
must see her. could wait no longer
One summer night l sat in the porcl
of my house, smoking my pipe, ant
gazing down the road. Soon the rum
BILE of wheels was heard and the stag
halted.
j The next moment n pair of sof