Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1880-06-05

o, my love is like the red red rose
He bought ring with posy true,
Sir Barney Bodrin broke his nose,
-- And, Saxon, am Rhoderick Dhul
A PUZZLE FOR METAPHYSICIANS.
In the month of November, 1s45, 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 a 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 a store in Bos-
ton. but, not being well, returned home
to be under the care of physician. His
health did not improve, and DIR. Bemis,
of Medford, advised a sea-voyage as
most likely to restore his vigor. Fred
erick was delighted with this prospect,
and his parents reluctantly consented.
E 1t was thought best for his health that
he should go on board as 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 a neighbor and friend 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, ]
sympathized deeply with Mr.. and Mrs.
Stetson in parting from their son under
these painful circumstances; but do
mestic cares and other scenes gradually
effaced these impressions, until forgot
the length of time he expected TO be alb
sent 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.
eeeded by my own dangerous illness
In March I was seized with hemorrhage
of the lungs, and lay for days lowering
UtLWcoH lllc duu u0dlu.
One night, when the crisis seemed tc
have passed, a member of my husband
church, Mrs. Sarah Buffers, who haG
been watching with me, retired soor
after midnight to give place to my hus
band, who was to watch with me til
morning. I had taken the medicine
prescribed by my physician, and was
endeavoring to compose myself to sleep
when all at once, with the vividness o.
flash of lightning, the following scene
was before me: A tremendous ocear
storm; frail vessel pitching headlons
into the trough of the sea; billoV
mountain high ready to ingulf her; {
slender youth clinging to the mast
head; more furious blast, higher
wave, and the youth, whom notwith
standing the darkness Instantly recog
nized as Frederick Stetson, fell into thu
foaming, seething deep.
AS he struck the water l shrieked il
agony, and my husband sprang to my
side, expecting to see the crimson drop:
again oozing from my lips. My counte
nance, full of horror, terrified him.
What is itp" he asked.
| motioned him to silence, unable tt
withdraw my thoughts from the scene
/ still heard the roaring of the angr,
pillows, the shouts of the Captain ant
crew.
Man overboardr' '.Throw roper
"Let down the life-boati'' "It's n,
use; the ship has pitched beyond hi
reachp'
Fresh groans from my lips brough
new anxiety to my faithful watcher. H
seized my trembling hand, placed hi
fingers on my pulse and started bacl
with dismay when he felt their feverisl
bound.
sWhat is itP Are you in more pain
Shall I go for the doctor?''
TO, it's dreadfulp' L gasped. &c
can't tell. It's awful.''
Then l passed into still more re
markable state. Heretofore had see
what was going ON at the moment; nov
my mind went forward, and saw event
that occurred two, three days, tw
weeks, later.
The storm had abated. The vessel
though injured, was able to proceed O.
her way. 1t was the Sabbath; the ere,
were sitting in silent reverence, Will
the clergyman, Rev. Mr.. Walker, read
prayed and preached funeral sermon
caused by the late sad event. Ever
eve was moistened, every breath hushe
stances connected with Frederick's voy
age, and endeavored to impress upo
the minds of his hearers the solem
truth of the uncertainty of life.
Another scene. Our own chamber
a messenger coming in haste with
letter from Captain Goldman announe
ing Frederick's death. The words {
the letter 1 could read.
Ono moro coouo Tcoonaad fn ho ra /
on board the Sophia Walker. Mr.. Ste
son was there, standing by Frederick
open chest, into which the Captain ha
thoughtfully placed every article bt
longing to his late clerk. The father
tears fell copiously while Captain Coz
man dilated on Frederick's exemplar
conduct during the entire voyage. Whe
they reached Palermo, he had expresse
his wish to enter upon the duties of
clerk, according to their contract,
tired of sailors life, and since tn,
hour had taken his place with the of
GERS in the cabin.
All this passed before my mind wit
the rapidity of lightning. lay tren
bling with agitation, until startled
present realities by my husband voic
while he held a spoon to my lips.
The first question asked was, "Wh,
day of the month is it?''
ssThe 10th of March,"
''What time did you come into tt
roomp''
..It 1as past twelve when 1 gave ye
your medicine. Soon after, you SCENE
greatly distressed. Can you tell me no
what it wasP"
.'It is dreadful 1 whispered, gas
ing between every word. 50 Frederic
Stetson is drowned; saw him fall in
the sea-
80, nor' was the cheerful repl.
"You had been thinking of him al
dreamed it."
t No; was wide-awake. saw hi
fall. / have not once thought OF hi
for weeks. o, what will his paren
sayP'
Soon after this, exhausted by my te
rible excitement, fell into a trouble
sleep. When awoke it was dawn, al
1 Immediately commenced narrating
my husband the scenes l had witnesse
he making note of them and the
precise date.
Perceivipg that this conversati'
greatly agitated me he left the chamb
to inquire whether the Sophia Walk
had come into port, and promised
direct our son, a school-mate of Edwa
o.l, xxybatbo,. Erodoriok h.