The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-04-01
Letter from a wheeling Lady in
India.

city, my own native place, Tor distant In.
dia. l certainly had very. peculiar feel.
ipgs as the familiar surroundings seemed
10 rush past our swiftly moving train.
The smoky old rolling mills, the broken
down fences and stables Of South Wheel.
ing were all left behind r.gretfully.
However, there was much upon the
route to New York which was calculated
to interestand divert ones mind from
sad partings and despondent thoughts.
So with eyes and ears open, 10 true
American style, / took in all about me
with q keen relish. The two days in
New York were pleasantly spent
in visiting places Of interest, and
the time for sailing came all
too soon. On Saturday afternoon, Octo-
Der 20, 1 went aboard the beautiful
steamer Devonia, Of the Anchor Line,
where I Joined my travelling companions,
q group Of Missionaries. At the APP
pointed time the bell rang, our friends
left the ship, and soon we were under
way. It was a dreary afternoon TO sail,
rainy and chilly enough to sadden the
cheeriest heart and especially depressing
to US, who from the deck watched the
shores Of our native land gradually be-
as shadowy and underlined as the
mist that enveloped them. Our party
concluded 10 make the best OF II, hence
we selected q sheltered place, where we
chatled, ate apples, laughed, and watched
the noisy sailors storing away the
baggage. But earthly pleasures are
transient, and soon u little group were
disbanded; groans we're heard; pale faces
and white lips murmured ooh, m.f"
aAsk you OF all these woes a cause?' |
solemnly auswer, "sedsiekness.n Right
merry were we who escaped, and we hail.
ed the announcement Of every new pa
tient with a little laugh which seemed to
say, aYou don't catch me getting reasick.n
/ hasten to remark In my own individual
case there was speedy retribution. In a
few days we resumed our places in the
saloon, rather slowly though, for the
weather was bad, and the ship very un.
steady. At last u bright day came, Wed.
nesday, Oct. "a, which was celebrated by
all on deck. At this time we were On the
New Foundland banks, and were on the
watch for fishing crafts. None,
however, came in view, but in
the distance we saw two large
sailing vessels and one steamer. " sail"
at sea 10 an interesting event, and we
were intently watching these ships, when
suddenly the cry was heard, 1.-THE steam
er's in distressp Directing our glasses
toward her, sure enough there were the
signals. Instantly all was excitement,
which was increased when the Captain
announced the vessel to be the Bolivia OF
the same line. Our curse was immedi-
atele changed toward the disabled steam
er, which sent over to us a small boat.
Upon its arrival we learned that the DO.
iiyia had broken her shaft, and had been
In our track three days awaiting us.
Irons for coupling the broken machinery,
together with provisions, were quickly
lowered into the ships boat, and when II
left US 10 return to It's vessel, we again
made for our former course. In passing
the Bolivia we were 80 near her bow, in
fact, passing Immediately in front, we
could almost distinguish the faces o fthose
on deck. Handkerchiefs we're waved on
both sides, and cheers Of genuine sym.
psthy went up from u ship, which met
with o hearty response. The following
day was exceedingly stormy; the sea
gradually became rougher, until 10 the
evening Il was terrible, and II was almost
impossible to take two steps without be.
ing thrown violently down. Neither
could we keep our seats, and . little rest
could only be obtained, by strapping our.
selves TO them. But all kept In good
spirits, and many we're the laughs at
the ludicrous accidents which happened.
When, for Instance, a young lady Of 100
ayoirdupois, attempting TO- cross the mu'
sic saloon, suddenly came down with ter.
rife force upon the head Of q reclining
gentleman, or q stylish lady rushed fran
tically into the arms Of afunny old Irish
gentleman, or when in the midst OF a cho-
rus the SINCERE found themselves rolling
around the floor. This was endurable up
stairsin the music saloon, where we were
all together, and in the lignt but no one
can describe The horror Of spending a
night 10 darkness and suspense, with the
great waves banging against the sides oil
the stateroom, and inside the ship dishes
rafting, together with everything else
that could possibly move. The nightin
question was fearful one. We wedged
ourselves as best we could in our hunks,
but few were brave enough to sleep. It
seemed the night would never end, but
when the laggard morn did come, how
grateful was lis dawaning. We were a
fappuid company that assembled in the
music saloon Friday morning. Many oil
us were endeayoring to get some rest,
when the cry was heard "a ship In dis.
tressIn Immediately all were on the
promenade deck, and there rolling help.
fessly on the raging waters was a beauti.
full little vessel, the foremost gone, decks
torn up, and bearing the signals Of dis
tress. Our brave frat officer, Mr.. Allan,
with volunteer boatscrew, Immediately
prepared TO 90 the rescue OF those on
board the sinking ship. Although the sea
had gone down much during the night, 1t
was still exceedingly rough, and lower
ing a boat in such waters was Indeed a
hazardous undertaking, and caused great
excitement among the passengers. Il was
however accomplished, and We anxiously
awaited the result. 10 Less than an hour
the boat returned, bringing the seven
shipwrecked mariners. The unfortunate
vessel was a beautiful little brigantine OF
1853 tons, the Zsolite, bound from Labra.
dor 10 Naples with . cargo OF hsh. All
hands were saved, only the skipper and
six others being on board. The master
Of the vessel fait very badly over the loss,
and tears were in his eyes as be watched
II becoming smaller and smaller IN the
distance, knowing that in a few hours at
least II must 60 down. The weather from
this time on was very bad indeed, The
thirty.aix horses We had on board
suffered greatly, being terribly cut against
the sides Of their stalls, Notwithstanding
HE thick padding about them. Two OF
them died from injuries received, and
Others seemed unlikely TO recover.
A very sad thing occurred the day fol.