Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-08-05

''Nhot Newsi" in Mid-Ocenn.
THE incident here related occurred Just at the
close of the War for the Union. during the home
ward passage from the Chinese coast OF one OF
the famous tea clipper sailing ships
Early one morning the mate was start
led hv the CRY from aloft, "BlaCk smoke
ahead. sir A big steamer standing to the
southwark" The captain was called. and
in a trice bounced on deck. where, apply
ing the glass to his eye, he took a long
look at the stranger who had pushed 50
suddenly out of the early mist hanging
low upon the horizon. Whatever her
character. we had but little chance OF es-
cape. if she had riled guns. Many glance
of apprehension was directed toward the
somber hull and pair of shopping smoke
stacks with the twisting smoke trending
far astern.
"Show him our colors. sir! Bend on
the ensign: we may as well be hung for
sheep as a lamb. If that fellow is rebel,
the sooner we know it the better! eN-
claimed the captain somewhat eXcitedly to
the mate.
1t was close upon six bells (seven o'clock
when the steamer revealed her nationality.
We fairly yelled as the blood-red cross of
st. George danced up alott from the steam
ers signal halyards. She was evidently
troop-ship bound for the Cape, tritle out
of her course but we did not stop to con-
slider that.
She was too tar distant to speak, but in
obedience to a gesture from the captain.
the mate emptied a bag OF Caily colored
signals on deck and the boys We're called
aft to man the hayards and lend a hand to
bend on the magic flags Upward tlutter-
ed the partv-cOlored bits of bunting
glasses were leveed. and breathless expect
ancy marked the smburnt features of the
clippers crew: for the inquiry flying from
our mizzenroyalmast was. "Nhat news of
the American war?
The flash of foam cast up by the huge
propeller greeted our straining vision, the
great steamer glided onward, but no
responsive signals gladened the anxious
heart, of those yearning to hear news from
home With a passionate exclamation of
disappointment the captain closed the
Joints of his long glass with savage
snap. saying. as he turned away "He
hasn't our code. Its no use.
Look at that" suddenly exclaimed the
mate, pointing. What is he going "a
/ do?'
"He is coming about shouted the cap
tain, his bronzed features fairly paling
Can it be possible he has played us
a trick. and is the Alabama? stand by
all hands, for
\ deep blast of the steam-whstle rum
bled over the flashing waters. followed by
a number of quick tOots as the steamer
ranged to leeward. then an eXpanse OF
white canvas was lowered over the side
Glasses were directed upon that brigh
patch amidShips, upon which dark lines
could be discened with the naked eye
The glass showed these We're letters.
Il have it, shouted the captain. leap
ing eXctedly into the rigging. "Sprea,
the news fore and aft3 II SAYS, Tn,
American conflict is over, Davis a fugi
tive-and what's that? Heavens, no
yes Lincoln is killed,
'Strike the coiors half-mast sir con
tinued the captain to the mate, in a sub
dued tone. Then he added. "Hoist thu
signal. thank You, to the steamer.
AT that moment the rich, full tones of
regimental band were waited across tn
heaving Swells and many an eye glistene,
with emotion as the well-knoWn strains O
Hail Columbia were family heard. Tn
steamer slowly fell of, and resumed he
course. while. as il actuated by one i'm
pulse, officers and men sprang into IN
weather-rigging, giving three times tire
ana waving their mats III return loI IN
kindness OF the courteous Engishmeu
The Stars and Stripes were dipped tire
times. the hoarSe whistle rang out in re-
turn, the "Meteor flag slowly and MAZE,
ticaly returned the salute, and the greetin
in mid-ocean was over.
THE commander OF that craft is a gen
tleman-every inch of him" was the al
miring remark of the mate as he glance
astern at the fast-fading troOp-ship.
There was deep mourning Throughout
the ship, for our delight in victory an
, peace was at first overcome by the sorrow
2 full tidings of the death of the believe
President. There was no other news III
til we hove TO for a pilot off Barnegat, an
e he brought a file of papers which gave L
e full news of the surrender at Appomatto2
and told how the great Lincoln had bee
assassinated,-Cd II. d. Smith, L. !
N, in august st. Nicholas.