Middletown transcript., 1891-11-05
Mary Hallstt-Wido and Wife.

Mary Hallett Widow and Wife
JAMES Hallett and Abner vii
In cox had been lifelong friends
~ they had conrted the same girl
BUT Mary Crowell had chosen Jane
in preference to Abner. The two mel
were sailors and shipmates on a small
fishing schooner. After the usua
cruise to the Banks they were home
ward bound one dark, squally. nigh
when Abner was ordered to perform
a certain duty which resulted in tht
supposed death Of James. Abnel
went home, carried the sad news tt
Mary Hallett and was accused by hel
Of being q murderer.
The sloop-of-war Pilgrim had sail
ed from Boston for South America
and was running out the south chan
mel with a brisk northwest wind and
smooth sea. It was the morning
watch. The lookouts had been called
in, the running lightsextinguishcd, .
man sent to the mast head, and Lieu
tenant Parker, the officer of the deck.
brisk, alert and commanding, was
issuing his orders, trimming sail and
preparing to give the ship her morn
ing bath and toilet. Suddenly from
the masthead came the hail.
2" On deck thereiw
"What il it7' from the officer.
Something 10 the water off the
starboard bow, sir"
"Can you make it out i@
Not yet, sir.p
"Quartermaster, aloft with glass.
And soon the petty officer was on
the foreyard, gazing intently into the
sea within is binocular. Man on a
ladder, sir" hailed the quartermaster
Watch, shorten sail !" shouted the
officer. Life boats crew away.
Orderly, call the captain. Royal
clewlines-fying.jib down haul-live.
ly, my lads lin light sails-clew gar.
nets and buntlines--up courses lee
after braces-brace up aft-head
yards square-fy the jib-sheets-
down helm !" and the Pilgrim lay to
with her head yards aback, and the
boat was soon in the water pulling for
a white object on the lee bow. Re-
turning quickly. man was passed up
the side, and down to the sick bay,
where the surgeon was ready for him.
Apparently dead, yet all means of re-
suscitation were applied, and at last
faint signs of life showed. yet, when
fully restored, his mind seemed wan
dering, and DR.. Turner was puzzled
for the time, but waited for more de-
velopments. Under opiates the
patient slept.
The Pilgrim filled away on her
course, and under all sail made a
straight wake for the northeast
trades, The able physician could
not make out the case Of his patient.
A severe bruise was on the side of
his head and face, but there seemed a
mental alteration and sn inability to
answer questions intelligently. When
asked his name be answered, " Mary
CroWell." Asked how be came in the
water, he replied, "Stay- SAIL" To
the question where he lived, he said,
Z" Tack ship" His bodily strength
returned somewhat, but his mind was
weak and wavering, and his memory
too dim to be Of any use.
In due time the Pilgrim returned
to.Rio Janeiro. The unknown waif
picked up at sea was turned over to
the care of the American consul, and
by him placed in the hospital. he
was quiet and harmless, gave very
little trouble, but his reason seemed
lost. The charming climate and sur
roundings had good effect upon the
bodily health Of the young man.
From the windows of the hospital he
could see the magnificent harbor, and
the ships lying at anchor there. These
seemed to interest him, but he always
appeared to be searching for some
thing among them that he could not
find. A tawny, silky beard grew
upon his face, his form filed out, and
but for the vacant expression in his
eyes, he waall that manly beauty
and symmetry of form could express.
One day a beautiful little schooner
came in from sea. Her snowy sails
would have revealed her nationality
at once. even if the starry fag had
not flown from her peak, She SEEM
ed to interest the hapless patient
greatly. When. just in front of the
hospital she gracefully tackled, and at
the proper moment he shouted,
Draw away" and as the jib swung
across the deck he was greatly excited
and seemed to be struggling with
some memory, but could not concen-
trate bis mind upon it. He watched
the little vessel until she anchored,
and would look at her for hours while
she remained in the harbor, but at
last she went away, and he saw her
no mere.
Abner Wilcox grew pale and thin.
He visited grave lawyer in the city,
and told him his sad story. He
made his will, leaving his little be-
longings to Mary and the children,
and then he went to sea with a great
sadness in bis heart, and q desire for
death and rest. The bark. Pursuit.