Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-06-30
A LONG HALF HOUR.

A LONG HALF HOUR.
A few days ago the attention of people
passing down one of our city streets was
attracted by the contrast between the
youthful face and snowy hair of sweet
faced lady. Judging by her face, she could
not be more than 80 years of age at most,
but if you formed your opinion OF her from
the hair which crowned her with thickly
waving snow white mass of curls and coils
she might be at least twice that number
of years. Terrible fear it was which had,
not In night, but within the short space
of one month, turned the once dark locks
to premature whiteness. The lady was
the wife of one of the most popular cap
tains who ever commanded ship out OF
an eastern port. Ten years ago he was cap
tain of one of tho finest ships sailing out
of Boston. He had been in the same en-
ploy since boyhood, growing up under the
eye of the owner and the builder of the
vessel, had passed from boy to man, from
forccastlc into the cabin, had been pro-
NOTED from sailor to second mate, then to
first mate and now was at the early age OF
% placed in command of the fine new ship
just off the ways.
The Fox was one of the best ships built
in that famous yard Of McKays in East
Boston. She was 1900 tons burden, and
it was quite feather in the cap of the
young man that his employer should offer
her to him for her first voyage. He had
been for two years engaged to young girl
who had been his earliest companion, who
had grown up by his side until the time
came when he left home for the sea, his
chosen place of life work.
On each return to the little down east
village he had found her dearcr, and they
had been waiting for him to get command
of vessel. Then they would marry. But
nothing like the wonderful luck which
had come had they dared to hope for. Now
there was nothing to stand between them.
They could marry at once and make their
bridal trip to England on the vessel, which
they fondly hoped might be their homo for
long years to come. So they had married,
and when the ship sailed majestically
down past Boston light and away, away
across the wide stretch Of the stormy At
lantic she carried within her stanch sides
about the happiest pair in the world.
Storm and calm, fog and sunshine, all had
come to meet them, and all had been safely
left behind They had reached the English
channel safely Another day and they
would be at the end of their voyage. The
night was cold and foygy Morning broke,
and still tho fog hung dense and low.
Breakfast was on the table, and the cap
tain and his wife were about to sit down
to what they fondly hoped was to be their
last meal at sea for some time when sud
den shout from the deck, followed by loud
calls and tho sound of hurried, rushing
footsteps, told that some sudden danger
was upon them. They both hurried to-
ward tho companionway, intending to rush
up on deck, but shock sent them both
staggering back. The screams from the
deck were redoublod, and again came that
terrible blow, mingled now with oaths and
cries Of rage or fear Both rushed to the
deck.
A terrible scene Of disaster was before
them. Tho side of the vessel, only mo-
ment ago so stanch and strong, was now
nothing but shattered. splintercd, yawn-
ing hole through which the water was
rushing into the vessel like millstream.
A little way off was the steamer which had
crushed into them in the dense fog. Her
iron forcfoot had cut them down, right to
tho waters edge. She herself was prac-
tically unhurt and was coming about to
sec what damage she had inflicted upon
her opponent. The Fox was slowly sink
Ing, the water rushing SO rapidly through
the shattered side was filling her, and
she already, not Is minutes after the col
lision, was settled deeply into the water.
Only o short time remained before she
would sink carrying with her all within
her reach to the depths below.
The steamer rapidly lowered her boats
to assist the unfortunates on board the
doomed vessel, and Captain King had col
lected his wits and was having his own
boats cut loose from their lashings and
lowered into the water. AS the first boat
reached the water he hurried his wife to
tho side Of the ship, now only a few feet
above the surface of the sea- and hurriedly
told the mate to put her into the boat and
with four Of tho sailors to shove off from
the vessel while he would make an attempt
to save his papers and the ships instru-
ments and chronometer. Mrs. King was
Just about to step into the boat when she
remembered that heavy sack Of gold and
all her jewelry were where she could lay
her hand on them in an instant. She de-
termined to save them, as 1t would take
but moment, as they lay in the corner of
drawer just inside her cabin door.
Rushing back to the cabin, she pushed
open the door of her cabin and attempted
to pull out the drawer in which her valu-
ables were lying The door opened back
against the drawer, and she was obliged
to close 1t before she could open the
drawer. Pushing 1t shut, she pulled open
the drawer, grabbed the sack Of gold and
the case which held her valuables, then
pushed at the drawer to close 1t again that
sho might open tho door and escape from
the sinking vessel. The drawer stuck.
Again and again she threw herself fran
tically against 1t with all her weight. Not
an inch could she stir II. The vessel had
strained and twisted as the weight Of wa
ter pulled her downward and in straining
had caused a change in the position Of the
casing of the drawer. At last 1t yielded to
her efforts and she pushed 1t close and
sprang to the door.
To her horror she could move the door