Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-08-09

was just of age and perfectly mistress
of her property, and she had been
married few weeks before / met her,
and had gone TO Madeira, intending
to spend the winter there. 1t was
a sudden freak, their coming on board,
and could hardly have been the poor
things wish; for she was wretched
sailor, and for two or three days after
we put to sea again she remained IN
her berth, waited on by her maid and
unnoticed by every one else. The
husband was about 80 a very hand
some, attractive man-dark, tall, with
heavy black mustache and gleam-
ing white teeth, which were often
enough seen, for he was most lively
and agreeable talker, full of wit and
nonsense, with an amusing anecdote
for every occasion, and generally the
sort of man to be a prime favorite on
board sailing ship, where every one
is bored more or less. Especially was
he attentive and considerate toward
the ladies. and | heard, though | did
not see anything then, that the pretty
governess usurped IA large portion OF
his care. This seemed natural enough,
as she was alone, and most of us took
a little extra notice of her on that ac-
count.
We'll, after day or two the bride
began TO come on deck again, and
when she gained some flesh and color
we could see how pretty she was, and
how full of charming ways Another
thing was soon easily seen also, and
that was that whatever might be the
state of her husbands affections, she
simply worshipped him. Her eyes
followed him about with kind OF
reverence and when he spoke she
listened with parted lips and glistening
ewes. as though she heard the very
angels singing in heaven. 1t is sad
enough TO see such madness where IT
is mutual. but when, rs is almost al
ways the case, one gives all, and the
other takes and gives nothing-well,
well-that's no part of my story.
Il should say that he was quite kind
TO her. and wrapped her up in shawls
and made her sit in the deck-house
while he read TO her, for fear she
might take cold. But of an evening,
when she had gone to her cabin, he
would always return TO the deck TO
finish his cigar, and the little govern
ess, who was as strong as lion and
pot afraid of any weather, would be
out there with him, leaning over the
taffrail. and the two would stand
there talking in low tones, until the
officer Of the watch sent them below.
I'VE had been about fortnight
out from Madeira when the weather,
which had been pleasant enough,
though cold, changed suddenly, and
we were driven by storms every way
but the way we wanted TO go. For
several days the matches were on,
and none of the passengers were al
lowed on deck. Most of the ladies,
myself among them, were Ill, and
the rest were too frightened to no
tice anything; but | was told after
ward that the only woman who was
neither sick nor terrified was the
governess. and she seemed fey-full
of wild spirits, and keeping con
slant banter with the bridegroom,
with whom she played at cards half
the day.
II do not remember how long the
storm continued; but, just as we were
beginning to take courage and pull
ourselves together little, we heard
one morning sound that made our
hair rise with new terror-a peculiar,
show, regular clanking-and a whis-
per went around that the ship had
sprung leak and the pumps were
manned o, you who have only
made this luxurious voyage Of n week
cannot imagine the feelings OF those
who have been for days together in a
straining, struggling ship, pitched
back or forth and from side to side
like cork on those tremendous
waves, and then to hear, hour after
hour, the dull, steady clanking that
proclaiins the presence of the enemy
within the walls, gaining upon you
hour by hour.
For two mortal days and nights
those brave and indefatigable men
struggled with the encroaching foe. /
while signals were hoisted and rock F.
cts sent up 70 attract passing ships.
At last the Captain came TO tell us
he had no hope OF saving the ship:
that the storm had abated, and that
as soon as it was broad daylight he /
would get the boats out. He begged
us TO take some food, and added, a.
he left the saloon: i hope, by Gods /.
help, to save every one; but reInem-
ber, il is women and children first,
and if any must stay behind, | shall
remain with them
Nobody attempted 10 eat any
thing, but most Of us went to our
staterooms to secure such portable
valuables "a we thought it worth
while to take, and then sat through .
the live-long hours waiting for the /
order to go out and trust our lives I
to those frail boats upon the tossing
waves. The gradual sinking OF the /
ship made her steadier, and besides I
the heavy swell of the sea was being 1
beaten down by the steady rain which |
began to fall.
Il was standing at the foot of the I
companion when the bride came out .