The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-06-05
A REMARKABLE STORY.
A PUZZLE FOR METAPHYsIc1ANs.

A PUZZLE FOR METAPHYSICIANS
From Ha,per's Mgazine for June.
In the month of November, 1915, the
ship Sophia 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 benefit of his health.
Among the crew was young man
named Frederick Stetson. He was the
eldest son of the Rev. Caleb Stetson, at
that time pastor of the Unitarian church
in Medford, Massachusetts,.
Frederick had been in store in Bos-
ton, but, not being well, returned home
to be under the care of physician. His
health did not improve; and DR.. Bemis,
of Medford, advised sea voyage as most
likely to restore his vigor. Frederick
was delighted with the prospect, and his
parents reluctantly consented.
1t was thought best for his health that
he should go on board as a sailor; but a
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. Mr. Stet-
son was neighbor and friend, l became
acquainted 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, his former
pupil, in regard to the youth.
In common with other friends, l SYM
pathized deeply with Mr. and Mrs. Stet-
son i'll parting from their son under these
painful circumstances; but domestic cares
and other scenes gradually effaced these
impressions, until forgot the length of
time he expected to be absent, and indeed
lost all recollection of his voyage.
| relate these circumstances in detail
that the reader may understand more
fully the remarkable facts which fol-
lowed.
During the latter part of February,
1916, the death of my mother, Mrs
Leonard Woods, of Andover, was sue
ceeded by my own dangerous illness. In
March was seized with hemorrhage of
the lungs, and lay for days lowering be-
tween life and death.
One night. when the crisis seemed to
have passed, member of my husband $
church, Mrs. Sarah Buffers, who had
been watching with me, retired soon
after midnight to give place to my hus-
band, who was to watch with me till
morning. had taken the medicine pre-
scribed by my physicians, and was ell
deavoring to compose myself to sleep,
when all at once, with the vividness of a
flash of lightning, the following scene
was before me: tremendous ocean
storm: a frail vessel pitching headlong
into the trough of the sea; billow
mountain-high ready to ingulf her: a
slender youth clinging to the masthead
a more furious blast, a higher wave, and
the youth, whom notwithstanding the
darkness instantly recognized as Fred
erick Stetson, fell into the foaming,
seething 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 counte-
nance, full of horror, terrified him.
"What is ito" he asked.
| mOtioned him to silence, unable to
withdraw my thoughts from the scene.
| still heard the roaring of the angry bill
lows, the shouts Of the captain and crew.
MAN overboardr' Throw roper'
Let down the life-boatr' Its no use
the ship has pitched beyond his reachv'
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 dismay when he felt their feverish
bound
''What is it? Are you in more pain?
Shall | go for the doctor?''
"Oh, it's DREADFUL l gasped. 4
can't tell. It's awful
Then l passed into still more remark
able state. Heretofore | had seen what
was going Oh at the moment; now my
mind went forward, and saw events that
occurred two, three days, two weeks,
later.
The storm had abated The vessel,
though injured, was able to proceed on
her way. 1t was the Sabbath; the crew
were sitting in silent reverence, while the
clergyman, Rev. Mr.. Walker, read, pray
ed, and preached funeral sermon, caus-
ed by the late sad event. Every eye was
moistened, every breath hushed, as the
speaker recounted the circumstances con-
nected with Frederick's voyage, and ell
deavored to impress upon the minds of
his hearers the solemn truth of the I'M
certainty of life.
Another scene. Our own chamber: a
messenger coming in haste with letter
from Captain Goldman announcing Fred
crick' S death. The words of the letter |
| could read.
One more scene. | seemed to be again
on board the Sophia Walker. Mr. Stet-
son was there, standing by Frederick S
open chest, into which the captain had
thoughtfully placed every article belong
ing to his late clerk. The fathers tears
fell copiously while Captain Goldman di-
lated on Frederick's exemplary conduct
during the entire voyage. When they
reached Palermo, he had expressed his
wish to enter upon the duties of clerk
according to their contract, if tired of a
sailors life, and since that hour had
taken his place with the officers in the
cabin.
All this passed before my mind with
the rapidity of lightning. l lay tremb-
ling with agitation, until startled to
present realities by my husbands voice
while he held spoon to my lips.
The first question asked was, " What
day of the month is ito'
"The 10th of March,"
"What time did you come into the
room?'
1T was past twelve when gave you
!, your medicine. Soon after, you seemed