The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-04-13
Eliza Warwick.


ed orphan lady, then resident with he
cousin, Mrs. Steel, in Madras. The un
ion was a singularly happy one, each pos
sessing that amiabiity of nature which i
conducive to domestic fecility. Fou
years after we see them with ittl
daughter named Eliza, and an infant son
their worldly affairs prosperous, and hap
py in each other, they looked forward t,
the future with hopeful anticipations
but their happiness was brief and bright
An epidemic fever ragged in Madras; ma
ny Europeans fell victims, among them
were Captain and Mrs. Warwick ant
thus the children were reduced to the
condition of orphans. Left to the care
of Mrs Steel, that lady considered it hcl
duty to apprise Mr.. White, Mrs. War
wick's brother, then resident at Sumatra
of his sisters sudden death, and the or
phan condition other children, and to asl
his wishes as to their future disposal.
1t was Eliza who particularly engaged
Mrs. Steel's thoughts, as Captain War
wick's brother then on the eve Of depart
ure for America,was ready TO take charge
of his infant nephew, and bring him uT
along with his own family. This fact
Mrs. Steel intimatcd to Mr.. White, and
added that did he feel the charge of O
female child too much for his declining
years, she would with great pleasure ad
opt the little Eliza, and, as she had nc
family, devote herself to the right up.
bringing and culture. The reply from
Mr.. White arrived without delay. He
expressed his deep sorrow at the death oil
his amiable sister and her husband, and
said he considered it would be for his
comfort to have this precious relic Of his
departed sister near him; and thus the
little orphans were provided for the boy
sailed to America and Eliza, under the
charge Of careful attendant, accom-.
pished the voyage to Sumatra in safety
and was received by her uncle with every
demonstration of affection and joy. Mr.
White was a man OF broken health and
considerable physical weakness, but it was
his pleasure to devote his hours Of leisure
and retirement to the education of the
child who was placed by early misfortune
under his care. He enlisted sso in the
service a friend who resided hard by,
Mrs Graham, lady highly gifted and
accomplished; and Eliza, by the united
efforts Of her uncle and this lady, was
early taught those accomplishments which
made her in future years an ornament to
society. A ruthless destiny, however,
seemed to pursue Eliza, for in her ninth
year sudden calamity bereit her at once
of a second father and kind instructor.
It was ELIAS daily habit to visit her
uncle early to awake him, and as the GUS
tom was, she went to his room on GER
tain morning for this purpose. What
was the child's dismay to find him cold,
pale, and regardless Of her fond utter.
ances Her affrighted cries drew the
family about her ; remedies were attemp.
ted, medical aid was procured, but in
vain (; his spirit had departed, and the
poor girl was again desolate.
Acting as EIiza's guardian, Mr.. Gra-
ham informed Mrs. Steel in Madras of
Mr.. Whites sudden death, and that his
small property had been left entirely to
Eliza, and asked advice as to her rcla-
tive's wishes regarding her future. A
speedy decision was made that the little
girl should return to reside at Madras,
and make Mrs. Steel's house her home.
Many and various plans had been formed
for her suitable and comfortable convoy,
when at last Captain Cooper appeared,
who was about to sail to Madras in charge
of one of the Company's ships, and being
particular friend of Mr.. and Mrs. Ora.
ham, they ventured to consign their little
ward to his care, although there were no
female passengers on board, rather than
put her into the hands Of strangers. Un-
fortunately there were among the crew
some Portuguese saiors,men of desperate
and INSCRIPTIONS character, bent on any
enterprise, it mattered not how cruel, il
thereby they might increase their fortunes
These wretches formed a shocking design
of throwing the captain overheard along
with the surgeon and mate, thereafter
seizing the vessel and selling the remain.
der Of the crew as slaves. This barbar
GUS design they contrived to execute, ant
one evening, overpowering Captain Coop
er, they murdered him and the other Off
GERS, and thus became undisputed mas
tiers of the vessel This fearful tragedy
was enacted before the eyes of the terri
fed Eliza and the villains being exas
perated hy her cries and pleadngs, re
solved to throw her into the sea after he
friends, when one, more humane than tn
others was actuated by feeling of re
morse, and seizing the little girl, save
her from his ruthless companions. Eiz
clung to her protector in despair, and on
ly believed herself safe when in his mmC
diate neighborhood.
Two days after this outrrge, the pirate
held a high festival, at which, by thci
wild excesses, they were reduced to stat
ofhelpless intoxication. Some lay insens
BILE on the deck. others riotously move
about, creating noise and confusion. Will
this scene oil tumult continued, the FEY
bdlOIs WIN Hdu DCcu SuNCu " HAHlSdt
the vessel held q council regarding tn
possibility Of retaking the ship, and ay
enging the death of Captain Cooper an
their countrymen. But they were dest
tute Of weapons. Arms were slun
around the cabin, but these were beyon
their reach, and the case hopeless. Sue
denly one of the men exclaimed "Ca
the child not help us?' Eliza was cal
ed apart, the plan explained to her, an
at the same tine she was told that he
own life was the penalty if these yilliar
discovered the plot. Eliza although I
Young, was possessed Of noble eoural
and iortitude, as well as strong affection
: She promised to risk her life to avenl
. the captain and retake the ship, stipul
f. ting as the only condition that the life
e her protector should be spared. Accor
. ingly, she returned to the cabin amid t
! intoxicated pirates, and whilst skippin
I as if in sport, along the benches, took 4
p cutlasses and pistols from their sever