Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-04-18
A WIFE WOnTH HAVING.

The old ship Vincent seemed TO De one
of those craft til It, according to the
theory of sailors, are doomed to ill fate.
James Marshall, young man from
Newport, r l., had been her captain
for five years, and during that time she
had been twice knocked down." once
had she carried away her foremast, and
at the time of which we write the old
ship was docked at Liverpool undergo
ing repairs from serious damage she
had received during heavy gale in st.
Georges Channel; but in all these mis-
haps the owners had been forced to &C
knowledge that the young captain was
entirely free from blame, while, on the
other hand, he had made better slime" "
in his trips than any other master had
ever been able to get out of her.
The last damage which the Vincent
received proved to be the occasion of the
dawning of new era in the life of Cap
tain Marshall, for while waiting in
Liverpool for his ship to be repaired he
fell in with a blooming New England
girl named Emma Ramsey, the eldest
daughter of the agent who did the busi-
ness for the Vincent's owners, and ere
long they discovered that between them
there existed a peculiar feeling of
mutual love. Captain Marshall popped
the delicate question, Emma consulted
with her papa, AID at length she con-
sented to become Mrs. Marshall. 1t was
happy day for all parties when the
marriage took place, for from the known
characters of the bridegroom and his
beautiful bride all felt sure that the
match would prove one of peace and
content.
The Vincent was once more ready for
sea. Her cargo was all on board, and
shipped for Boston, and Emma had re-
solved to accompany her husband to the
United States. For a number of days
the weather was pleasant, and the wind
was fair, while Captain Marshall felt
himself supremely happy in the delight
full company of his wife, The old sail
ors shook their heads as they saw the
gentle Emma pacing the deck. and they
very mysteriously y asserted that such
pleasures couldn't always last" and SO
indeed it proved; for at the close of
pleasant day, when they were within
three or four days sail of their destined
port. things began to look anything but
agreeable. Away to the south'rd and
eastr'd the horizon began to assume a
sort of inky blach uess, with here and
there ghostlike, l vid spot, while on all
hands the heavens had changed their
ethereal blue for cast of deeper and
more fearful import.
Captain Marshall felt as he had never
felt before on the approach of storm.
For himself, for his ship, he had no
thought then. There was one on board
who engrossed his every sympathy-for
his young wife he felt degree of in.
tense anxiety that was painful; but he
forgot not his duty, and with compara-
tive calmness he set about it The
courses were hauled up and snugly
furled, the lighter sails taken in, and
the lofty yards and topgallant masts
sent on deck, and the three topsails close
reefed.
Long before the sun went down the
undulating ocean had assumed almost
the blackness of night, and not many
moments elapsed after the spars had
been secured upon the deck ere the
storm burst upon the ship. 1t was a
regular southeaster, and those who have
encountered one of these storms in the
gulf know something of their power.
Higher and higher rose the mighty tem-
pest, until at length it was found neces-
sary to take in the topsails and trust to
the fore and main storm staysails and
balance reefed spanker. In this way the
ship lay to till morning, the gale increas-
ing every hour.
Captain Marshall trusted that when
the sun rose on the next day the storm
would abate, but in this he was disap-
pointed, for part of the forenoon he
was actually obliged to scud before it.
1t was not until two staysails had been
torn from their bolt ropes that he fully
explained his anticipations and the ex-
tent of his fears to his wife.
Emma, said lie, II wish l had not
brought you with me. +"
"Why so?" she asked, as she gazed up
into her husbands face with apparent
astonishment
why sof Do you not comprehend
our danger?"
But the ship does not leak, does it?"
turned Emma with remarkable cool
IS.
No."
"Than LOT no MT faor tho storu1