Litchfield enquirer., 1880-05-27
From Harpers Magazinet s<isl s.Hfe A PUZZLE FOR, METAPHYSI-
 " te'sf2a CHAINS. 3as F7s'r'.ft sfs.Fs1

In the month of November 1845, the ship SoplS0 Walker sailed from Boston, bound for Palermo. The owners, Messrs. Theophilus and Nathaniel Walker, had invited their brother-in law, the Rev. Charles Walker, to go out to Palermo, as passenger, for the bene- fit of his health. ~''
 Amoung the crew was young man named Frederick Stetsen. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Caleb Stetson. at that time pastor of the Unitarian church in Medford, Massachu- sets.
 Frederick had been i'll a store in Boston, but not being well, returned home to be un- der the care of physician. His health did not improve; and Dr. Bernis, of Medford, ad- vised asea-voyage as most likely to restore his vigor. Frederick was delighted with this prospect, and his parents reluctantly consent d.
 1 It was thought best for his health that he should go on board as a sailor; but contract was made with Captain John Goldman, that in case Frederick should become weary of his duties, he should be admitted to the cabin in the capacity of captains clerk.
 From the fact that the Rev. MT. Stetson was neighbor and friend, became acquaint- 1 cd with these circumstances at the time the young man left home and embarked on board the Sophia Walker. The father also requested my husband to speak to Captain Goldman, iiis former pupil, in regard to the youth.
 In common with other friends, sympathiz- ed deeply with Mir. and Mrs. Stetson in part 1 ing from their son under these painful circum- stances, but domestic cares and ether scenes | gradually effaced these impressions, until forgot the length of time he expected to be ab sent, and indeed lost all recollection of his voyage -,.; .s... .lE .,s ,ti r fat ,.
 relate these circumstances in detail that the reader may understand more fully the re- markable facts which followed. .1 s.,,5,t4 fss 1 During the latter part of February, 1846. the death of my mother Mrs. Leonard Woods, I of Andover, was succeeded by my own danger ous illnesss. In March was seized with hemorrhage of the lungs, and lay for days | lowering between life and death. ..l+.. .,. ,tf | Ope night, when the crisis seemed to have passed, member of my husbands church, Mrs. Sarah Buffers, who had been watching with me, retired soon after midnight to give place to my husband, who was to watch with me till morning 1 had taken the medicine prescribed by my physician, and was endeaV- bring to compose myself to sleep, when all at once, with vividness of flash of lightning, 1 the following scene was before me: A tre- mendous ocean storm a frail vessel pitching I headlong into the trough of the sea; pillow mountain-hlgh ready to ingulf her; slender youth clinging to the masthead. g more furi-. ous blast, 8 higher wave, and the youth, I whom notwithstanding the darkness I instant | ly recognized as Frederick Stetson, fell into | the foanling, seethihg deep.
 As he struck the water shrieked in agony; and my husband sprang to my side, expecting ! to see the crimson drops again oozing from my lips. My countenance, full of borrow, terri 1 fled him. ... fira .... .,.t ...-..-. ...
 ''What is it ?" he asked. ,a,s.c.. F.. .... motioned him to silence, unable to with | draw my thoughts from the scene still haor rl fhn nf tho ho shouts of the captain and crew.
 F. "Man overheard! !" Throw a rope!" l 'Let down the life beat!" ''It's no use; the ship has pitched beyond his reach !"
 Fresh groans from my lips brought new anxiety to my faithful watcher. He seized my trembling hand, placed his fingers on my pulse, and started back with disLay when he felt their feverish bound. ...a.f-
 ''What is it? Are you in moro Pain r Shah go for the doctor ?' a g
 "Oh, it's dreadful!" gasped. 'I can't tell It's awful"
 ThenI passed intoa still more remarkable state. Heretofore had seen what was going on at the moment now my mind went for ward and saw events that occurred two, three days, two weeks, later. s4...e... ..s .f tf The storm had abated. The vessel, though injured, was able to proceed on her way, It was the Sabbath the crew were sitting ln si-
 
 Walker, read, prayed, and preached funeral sermon, caused by the late sad event. Every eye was moistened, every breath hushed, as 1 the speaker recouuted the circumstances con- nected with Fredericks voyage, and endeavOr- ed to impress upon the minds of his hearers | the solemn truth of the uncertainty of life. Another scene. Our own chamber mes- senger coming in haste with a letter from Cap tain Goldman announcing Fredericks death. The words of the letter could read.
 One more scene. seemed to be again on board the Soplia Walker MT. Stetson was there, standing by Frederick's open chest. into which the captain had thoughtfuliy placed | every article belonging to his late clerk. The fathers tears fell copiously while Captain Cod man dilated on Frederick's exemplary conduct during the entire voyage. When they reach- ed Palermo he had expressed his wish to en- ter upon the duties of a clerk, according to their contract, if tired of sailors life, and since that hour had taken his place with the 1 officers in the cabin. t-.'7zf l All this passed before. my mind with the rapidity of lightning. I lay trembling. with agitation, until startled to present realities by my husbands voice. while he held spoon to my lips. "t ',3@-''. -7r. ...' The first question asked was, sWhat day of the month is it ?" "''! f.-'f if, t-=tf-lf l ''The 10th of March."4 afz -f!
 'Whats time did you come into the room?" s
 1t was past twelve when gave you your I medicine Soon after, you seemed greatly I distressed. Can you tell me now what It was?" -'r t5
 ''It is dreadful" whispered, gasping be- | tween every word. Frederick Stetson is l drowned saw him fall into the sea"
 ''Oh no !" was the cheerful reply. "You had been thinking of him, and dreamed it. :"
 '.No; 1 was wide-awake. l saw him fall. I have not once thought of nm for weeks. Oh, what will his parents say ?" & F | Soon after this, exhausted by my terrible 1 awoke, it was dawn, and Immediately con- | menced narrating to my husband the scenes l had witnessed, he making note of them and their precise date.
 Perceiving that this conversation greatly agitated me, he left the chamber to inquire whether the Sophia Wdlker had come into port, and promised to direct our son, a school l mate of Edward Stetson, to ask whether Fred I erick had returned fromhis voyage sN q This he did, thinking to ailay my nervous lexcltement, which he fully believed to be the result of fevered dream.
 At an early hour Dr. Daniel Swan, one of my physicians, came to my bedside He ex- pressed his disappointment at finding my pulse greatly accelerated, and asked the cause.
 I then, though not without great exhaustion repeated to him what had seen, my husband being present, Mrs. Butters fthe lady already referred to), and woman who had lived in my family for years. ssaA 2. In the course of 8 week several persons were made acquainted with these facts, though, from the fear lest they should. reach the ears of the parents, they were told under aninjunc- tion of secrecy. .of, -
 In the mean time I listened eagerly to my sons daily bulletins fIom his schoolmate
 '.Fred is coming soon.''' ..Mother has his clothes all ready - Father says he may be here any day now" .'The Sophsa Walker is due this week" xses,rs e...t ss,f, .,..s ,,ss
 It was two weeks before the ship arrived in port; but was so far oonyalescent that 1 was permitted to sit np.i wrapped Tn blankets, for an hour or two each day. ,s- .,1s,sa,s<s, \ ,e