Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-02
A WIFE WORTH HAVING.


The old ship Vincent seemed 20 be one
Of those craft that. according TO the
theory Of sailors, are doomed to Ill fate.
James Marshall, = young man from
Newport. K. l.. had been her captain
for i've years. and during that time she
had been twice Knocked down. once
had she carried away her foremost, and
at the time Of which We write the old
ship was locked at Liverpool undergo
ing repairs from a serious damage she
had received during heavy gale in ST.
Georges channel. bat in all these mis-
haps the owners had been forced TO ac-
knowledge that the young captain was
entirely free from blame. while. on the
other hand, he had made better ''time'
IN his trips than any other master had
ever been able 10 get out of her.
The last damage which the Vincent
received proved 10 be the occasion of the
dawning of anew era in the life of Capt.
Marshall, for while waiting in Liverpool
for bis ship 10 be repaired he fell in with
. blooming New England girl named
Emma Ramsey, the eldest daughter Of
the agent who did the business for the
Vincent's owners, and ere long they dis
covered that between them there existed
q peculiar feeling of mutual love. Capt.
Marshall popped the delicate question,
Emma consulted with her papa. and at
length she consented to become Mrs.
Marshall. II was q 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 10 accompany her husband to the
United States. For a number Of days
the weather was pleasant. and the wind
was fair, while Capt. Marshall felt him
self suprernely happy in the delightful
company Of his wife. The old sailors
shook their heads as they saw the gentle
Emma pacing the deck, and they very
mysteriously asserted that ''such pleas
ures couldn't always last" and 30 in
deed. it proved; for at the close Of a
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
east'rd the horizon began to assume q
sort Of inky blackness. with here and
there ghostlike. lvid spot. while on all
hands the heavens had changed their
ethereal blue for o cast Of deeper and
more fearful import.
Capt. Marshall felt rs he had never
felt before on the approach Of q storm.
For himself. for his ship. he had no
thought then. There was one ON board
who engro<ed his every sympathy-for
his young wife he felt q degree Of in
tense anxiety that was painful; but he
forgot net his duty. and with compare
tive calmness he set about it. The
courses were hauled mp and snugly
furlcd. the lighter sails taken in, and the
lofty yards and tcpgallant 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. II was q
encountered one Of these storms in the
gulf know something Of their power.
Higher and higher rose the mighty tenn
pest. until at length il was found neces-
sary to take IN the topsails and trust To
the fore and main storm staysails and q
balance reefed spanker. In this way the
ship lay 10 till morning. the gale iacreas-
ing every hour.
Capt. 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
WA actually obliged 10 scud before 1t.
II was not until two staysails had been
torn from their bolt ropes that he fully
explained his snticipstious and the ex.
tent of his fears 10 his wife.
Emma said he. II wish I had moi
brought you with me.
why so7- she asked. ~ she gaxed NJ
into her husbands face with apparent
atoaishmens.
"wby soa Do yon not comprehend
our dangery
But the ship dos not leak. does it,
returned Emma with remarkable cool.
ness.
No
Then lat rs not fear the storm. Iva
born upon the Atlantic. and feel that
can yet trust 90 my native element
The captain wss astons,sed 1T THU
trait in his wifs's character. and clasp.
ing her in his arms he felt his own soul
| swelling With = new hfe.
"Emma,~ ne said. a. he gaeed more
affecsionstelv than evsr into her face,
my hsavie~s fears are passed. For you
alone have feared the most; now ca
calmly tell vou Wherein lies our danger
II