The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-07-09

in the world? ~s%se~ss-s.ssss.. sasars :
Meanwhile, how Jared our young
soldier? His was one of the truest hearts
that had lever been transfxed by the arrow
of Venus mischievous son. He had
loved Mary with steady, strong, hercu-
lean love. He loved her still. She was
the light of his soul, the spring of his
heart, the essence of his existence! And,
having lost the hope Of her, he lost hope
of everything besides. To him the earth
was robbed of it's luminary-life of its
value. He sickened and was i'll long
time. He left the army. He gave up
society and lived in solitude; and soli-
tude almost drove him mad. He rallied
for time, and then determined to Danish
himself from every scene which might
recall the recollection of his great
passion. And what do you think he did?
He entered the navy as a common sea-
man. Here said he, no doubt shall
never encounter an eye that has seen me
before; and, when my short remainder
of life is spun out, shall sleep where
mo stone shall tell
My name my place, my story
"You may smile, gentlemen; but, upon
my word, it makes my heart bleed to
think what that poor fellow suffered all
this time He joined the old Penelope,
then receiving ship at Portsmouth, and,
after few weeks, was transferred, as it
turned out, to the Achilles, the very ship
| to which was appointed on my promo
| ton We were fitted out for the Medi-
| terranean, and soon set sail. 1t was but
six months before received the news of
my accession to my present property, and
Heaven knows had no thought of any
thing but the service then.
when we got to Malta, Sir Edward
and his daughter were there, guests of
the Governor. Our Captain and Sir Ed
ward were old friends. A hearty rccog-
milton took place between them, which
was followed by an invitation to come
on board the Achilles to luncheon on the
next day-the Kings birthday-and wit
ness the ceremony of firing Royal
salute, which is always customary on
board man -of-war on such an occasion
The invitation was accepted; and, others
being invited to meet them, the party
had assumed very jolly proportions in
deed. In TaCI, wncn the salute Dcgun
the quarter deck was well covered with
ladies and gentlemen; and, as most of
the latter were in full uniform, the scene
was gay enough.
when the salute was nearly through
eighteen of the twentyone guns hav-
ing been fired-an accident occurred
which has very great deal to do with
my story ! suppose that you are all
artillerists enough to know that in
sponging gun it is necessary that one of
the gunners should serve the vent, as it
is called; that is, close the vent by the
application of his thumb, so as to ex-
clude the air and enable the sponge to
extinguish any spark that may remain
after the last discharge. If this is
not effectually done, there is danger that
the fresh charge of powder will
be ignited as it is being rammed
home into the gun, and the ramrod blown
out with it, with, of course, such rapid
ity that it is impossible for the gunner
using it to disengage his hand. Some
times this accident may come about by
the gun becoming heated by frequent
discharges, and this heat may deter the
proper service of the vent, even although
leather guard is given the gunner for
his protection. Sometimes it comes
about from want of due care and nicely
on the part of the man whose duty it is
to perform this very necessary and most
important duty. Any way, just such an
accident occurred on this very occasion;
and the right arm of the man using the
ramrod, and firmly grasping it as he
rammed in the charge, was, by the unex-
pected ignition of the powder, nearly
severed from the body in an instant.
The man feA from the shock l was in
stantly summoned to the case, and be-
fore the patient could be removed from
the deck to have his terrible wound cared
for cry of agony escaped him. In an
instant shrek was heard from the
quarterback, and lady of wondrous
beauty rushed to the wounded man and
clasped him in her arms. 1t was Mary
Euston, who, in the voice of the suffer
ing seaman, had recognized her military
friend Of ten years ago.
Why attempt further details of my
story Nothing could check the passion
which had broken out afresh, and Sir
Edward was present at the marriage of
his daughter, when her lover was suf1-
ciently recovered for the ceremony. His
right hand was gone, and the ring was
placed on her finger-of her left hand,
you understand-by his left hand. Thus,
you see, 1t was q left-handed marriage,
and as happy one as ever knew.
pray, Doctor, what was the name of
the bridegroom" said one of the audi
tors.
"Why, bless my heart, thought Ihad
mentioned it. Morgan was his name
Llewellyn Morgan-Capt. Morgan, as we
always called him."
| "Why, then, it was the Dukes wed.
ding after all; for it was morganatit
one," said the friend of the inquiring
mind.-Chscago Tribune.
| A Chance for Lightning Rod Agents.