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

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one of the finest crafts that had ever
iloatcd. | was an old sea dog, and
had dwe1t on salt water so long, that
felt almost q hatred for the land.
~ On the 10th of October, 1924, re.
ccived orders to put myself in readi-
ness to sail to Cayenne. was to
transport twenty-five soldiers and q
convict. had orders to treat this in.
dividual well, and the letter had re-
ceived from the directory, enclosed
another with o hugh red seal, which
was not to open until between "a and
2S degrees west longitude; that is, just
before crossing the line.
am not naturally superstitious, but
there was something in the look OF the
letter that l did not altogether like,
though l could give no reason why.
However carried IL into the cabin, and
stuck it under, the glass of o shabby
English clock, which was fastened
above my head. I was busy fixing the
letter under the clock, when who
should come into my cabin but tho con-
vict and his wife! This was the first
time I had seen either of them, and l
may say that q more prepossessing
couple Inever met. The woman was
scarcely more than fifteen, and as
handsome as a picture, while the hus-
band was an intelligent magnificantly
formed man, on whose features nature
had never written "villain."
His crime, to be plain, was the mis-
fortune of beinga hundred years ahead
of his age. lie and others had attemp-
ted something which our government
called treason, and which is punishable
with death or transportation.
Before a month had passed over our
heads, / looked upon this beautiful and
loving couple as my own children,
every morn I used to call them into
my cabin. The young man would sit
writing at my table, that is to say at
my chest which was my bed. He
would often help me at my reckoning,
and soon learned to do it better than l
could. was amazed at his ability.
His young wife would sit upon one Of
the round stools i'm the cabin, working
with her needle.
One day we were all three sitting in
this way, when l said:
"DO you know my young ones, as it
seems to me, we make very pretty
family picture2 Mind don't mean TO
ask questions, but maybe you may not
have much money to spare, and you
are, both of you, too handsome to work
in the burning sun of Cayenne, like
many q poor wretch before you. It's
a bad country-a bad country, take my
word for 1t. I who have roughed il
through tempest and sunshine, till I've
the skin Of a rhinocerdhs, might get
along there; but you-I'm Ai'aid for
you. Soft YOU should chance to have
1blt o. foolish fris6dship FOR Your
poor old captain, III tell you what I'll
do. I'll get rid of this old brig; and
settle down there with you, If you like.
You see have not q living soul in the
world to care for, or that cares for me.
I want relations, want home l want
family. l should like to make my
home with you. What say ye?
They said nothing at all, but sat look
inc, adotuftcd n fehncr they nhdcfscUVd
what said.
At last the little bird threw her
arms around my neck, and cried like
baby.
We were now i'm the vicinity of the
Cape de Verd Islands-the Belle was
running before a fair wind at the rate
Of ten miles an hour. That night was
a splendid tropical night; the stars
large and shining; the moon rising
above the horizon, 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, sparkled like jewels. I sat up
on the deck smoking my pipe, and
looking at them.
All was still, except the football of
the officer Of the watch, as he paced
the deck, gazing as l was upon the
shadow of the vessel, stealing over the
silent water.
l love silence and order /; l hate noise
and confusion. The lights should have
all been extinguished by this time but
when looked up on the deck, 1
thought saw little red hue of light
beneath my feet. Atanother time and
place this would have made me angry,
but knowing that the light proceeded
from the cabin of my little deportes,
l determined to see what they were
about.
l had only to look DOWN. could
look into the cabin through the sky
light.
The young girl was upon her knees,
she was saying her prayers. A lamp
swung from the ceiling lighted the
room, she had on long white night
dress, and her fair golden hair floated
over her shoulders, and almost touch
ed two little bare feet, which were
peeping from under her white dress
SO pretty. turned away. But pshaw
said /, am an old sailor, what matters
it? So / stayed.
The husband was sitting upon lit
tie trunk, his head resting upon his
hands, looking at her as she prayed.
She raised her face to heaven
and then saw that her eyes were fill
ed with tears, as she rose up he
said:
"Ah, my sweet Lauretta, as we APP
proach America, cannot help feeling
anxious II do not know why-but
feel that this has been the happiest
part of our lives"
$50 it seems to me-" she answered,
II onlyswish that it would last for
ever.
Suddenly clasping his hands in a
transport of love and affection he
said:
Sand yet my little angel, see you
weep when you say your prayers and
that cannot stand ? for l know what
causes 1t, and then fear that you will
repent what you have done"
Repent" she said in sad rebukina
tone. "Repent of having come with
you ? Do you think that because have
been yours only such very, very short
time, that should not love you? Was
not your wife? How can you be sor.
ry that should be with you, to live
with you if you live, and to die with
you if you arc to die.
The young man began to sigh, strik.
ing the floor impntiently with his feet
while he repeatedly kissed the little
hand and arm which she was holdins
| out.
All, Lauretta, I.auretta! When
think if our marriage had only been
delayed five days, that then / shonld
have been arrested and transported
alone, cannot forgive myself"
At this the little one stretched out
her round white arms, clasped hi
head, pressed his forehead, his hair hi
eyes, smiling like cherub, and mur
muring all sorts ofwomans fond things
l was quite affected and considered 1
one of the prettiest scenes that ha,
ever witnessed.
And besides, we are SO very rich
| too said she, bursting into a merr,
laugh. Look at my purse, one gol(