The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-10-28
A TRAGEDY.
..aE,
The Sad Sequel of Anticipated Joy In
New Land.

The Sad Sequel of Anticipated JOY In 3
New Land,
1t was 4 a. m. The first gray darts
of approaching dawn shot up in the
east and tinged the murky sky and the
throbbing ocean as the City of Rome
plowed relentlessly on her course for
this port. In the dim morning twi-
light a tragedy was being enacted to
at least one person on the steamers
deck.
Resting on two black stands near the
steamers bulwark lay sad burden. 1t
was the body of a passenger laid out on
a rough board, loaded with lead at the
heels, and covered by the red flag of
the British nation. Four blue-clad sail
ors stood with cap in hand about the
bier while q priest recited prayers for
the repose of the dead mans soul read
by the light of lantern held by sail
or.
Two beautiful women gazed at the
mournful spectacle. The younger was
in passion of grief, her bosom heav-
ing with convulslve sobs which the
other strove in vain to soothe.
She was a beautiful girl winsome
even in her great grief. Her black hair
ed, well-rounded face, and her large
blue eyes kept turning beseechingly
toward the clergyman as she kept ex-
claiming:
He is not dead! o. tell me he is not
dead"
The father had finished his sacred
offices. The four strong sailors stopped
and lifted the rude bier to the bulwark
- fkl~ - Il
raised high. and the dead mans body
shot overheard. feet foremost, and was
heard to plunge into tine sea-
The poor distracted girl gave one
gasp and was clasped fainting in the
arms of the other lady.
This lady was Mrs. Frank Leslie
and the girl was poor Irish immigrant
left almost alone in the world by the
death of her old uncle.
Several years ago Patrick McNaugher
came to this country, and by frugal
living and hard work acquired a little
money. Last summer he was informed
that his brother Tom had died in Ire
land, leaving one son and one daughter
in destitute circumstances. Mr.. Nc
Naugher's heart was moved and he
hastened to the other side of the water
to see his niece and nephew.
John, sturdy youth, and Rose, a
bright, courageous miss of II. were the
sorrowing orphans who bashfuily greet
ed their uncle on his arrival. The old
man had no children of his own and he
soon loved both of them with a tender
ness he had never felt before.
The pretty Rose was soon her uncle's
favorite, but Mr.. McNaugher never
tired of telling John of the great sights
he would see in America and of the
high place he would surely win if he ap-
piled himself to work.
In short, the old man lost no time in
starting for the new country.
The young people were evidently
much frightened at the dangers of the
sea, and their recent bereavement SEEM
ed to prey upon their minds despite the
attempts of MIR. McNaugher to keep
them cheerful. Rose clung to her uncle
as though he were all she had in the
world, az indeed he was. but John was
wont to wander listlessly and sadly
about the vessel. 1t was the charming
sight of the gentle Rose lingering low
ingly about her aged uncle that first at
tracted the attention of the wealthy and
kind-hearted Mrs. Leslie.
When two days out at sea heavy
winds frightened the immigrant passen-
gers. John McNaugher was nowhere
to be seen. He was discovered later
kneeling bareheaded on the deck, while
the sleet dashed over him, and prayin g
distractedly. When the steward tried
to persuade him to come in he replied
he must not be interrupted, as his god
dess, the moon, was angry with him
and had hidden her face.
1t took three strong men to bring him
in, when lie was so violent that he had
to be placed in the iniirmary, where he
tore everything to pieces.
There was no doubt of his insanity.
and the incident made deep impress
sion on all aboard As for the old
uncle, he was nearly beside himself
and the shock must have caused his
death, for he was found stark and stiff
in his berth the next morning, having
ruptured a blood-vessel
Thus it happened that while her
brother was raving below and the priest
was chanting requiem over the body
of her uncle poor Rose McNaugher
stood sobbing on the deck in the gray
dawn without friend in the world. OF
all the hundreds of passengers on the
City of Rome, Mrs. Frank Leslie was the
only one to rise and comfort the be-
reaved girl at that ocean burial.
The passengers, stimulated by Mrs.
Frank Leslie. made up purse for the
orphan maid of S15O.-Nea0 York Jour
nal.