Connecticut western news., 1872-07-26
THE SEALED INSTRUCTIONS.

I had served twenty-five years on board an East Indaman, and for the last ter years had commanded the Belle, one of the finest crafts that ever hoated. I was an old sea dog, and had dwelt so long or salt water that felt almost hatred tc the land. .. '.......
 On the 2oth of October, 1924, I received orders to put myself in readiness to sail for Cayenne. was to transport seventy five soldiers and convict. had orders to treat this individual well, and the letter I had received from the directory enclosed another, with huge red seal, which was not to open until between 27 and 28 de- grees west longitude; that is, before we were about to cross the line. s ,.- ..
 The letter was a long packet, so well closed on every side that it was impossible to catch the slightest glimpse of it's con- tents. l am not naturally superstitieus but tbere was something in the look of the letter that I did not altogether like though could give no reason why. How ever, carried it into the cabin, and stuck it under the glass of a little shabby Eng fish clock, which was fastened above my head. I 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 I had seen either ol them, and may say that more prepos sessng couple I never met. The woman was scarcely more than fifteen, and as handsome as picture, while the husband was an intelligent, magnitieently formed man, on whose features nature had never written "villain." -u-..-....
 His crime, to be plain, was the misfor tune of being hundred years ahead o his age. He and others had attempted something which our government called treason, and which is punished with death It, therefore, occasiened me considerable wonder that he should be placed under my charge; but more of this atterward.
 He had. as I said, his wife hanging ol his arm. She was as merry as hlrd; sh' looked like turtle dove cooing and nest ling beneath his great wings.
 Before q month had passed over ou heads, l looked upon them as my owl children. Every morn used to call then into my cabin. Tho young fellow would sit writing at my table-that IS to say, a my chest, which was my bed. He would often help me at reckoning, and sool learned to do better than I could. wa amazed at his ability. His young wifi would sit upon one of the round stools il my cabin, working at her needle. t. One day we were all three sitting il this way when I said:
 Do you know, my young ones, as i seems to me we make very pretty famil, picture? Mind, don't mean to ask ques tions, but may be you have not mucl | +M vNd hok If y.>p, as I think, too handsome to dig in tn burning sun of Cayenne, like many poo wretch before you. It's bad country bad country, take my word for it. who have roughed it through tempest an' sunshine, till I've the skin of rhinoceros might get along there; but you-I an afraid for you. So, if you should chanc to have bit of foolish friendship for you poor old captain, 1'll tell you what I'll dc I'll get rid of this old brig; she's not muc better than an old tub, after all; so IT settle myself down there with you, if yo like. You see have not living soul i the world to care for, or that cares for me | want relations, I want home, l wan family. I should like to make my hom with you, my pretty young ones! Wha say ye ?"
 They said nothing at all, but sat lookn at each Fother 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 sine, suddenly pausing, ''yo haven't looked at the letter with the bi red seal"
 "Hang it!" I exclaimed. "1t had slir ped my mind entirely.n
 With a cold, dreadful sensation, I wen to my chest to see where we were.
 found that we had several days remainin before we should reach the proper longi tude for opening the letter.
 We'll, there we stood, all three of u. looking up at the letter as though it coul havespoken to us. As it happened the SUI was shining full upon the face of the cloc case, and fell upon the great glaling re seal of the letter. I could not help fancy
 ng it looked something like big monster an ogre's face, grinning from the middle the fire; it looked horrid.
 "Coold not one fancy" said I, to mak them laugh, "1ts great big eyes were stal ing out of it's head % T-
 "Ah. my love-" said the wife, Git look like blocd."
 Pooh, pooh 7" said her husband, takin her arm under his, Git looks like lettt of invitation to wedding. Come, conn leave that letter alone if it troubles you S, \ A1n A.. T