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Article INTERESTING ANECDOTE. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Interesting Anecdote.
destination was Madeira , Bengal , and China ; we had a pleasant passage to Madeira , and were about leaving the island , the passengers had their notice to join the ship , and the purser was closing his accounts , —• when a decent looking man was announced , who wished to speak to the captain ; it appeared he had received an unfavourable answer to a previous letter , —there was no time for ceremony , and he was directed to enter the room .
" Ilis tale was simple hut touching—a generous patron who had educated him in England with an intention to provide for him as his industry should render him worthy , was compelled to discharge him , for gross negligence of duty . Instead of being a faithful servant he proved utterly unworthy of trust , and he was discarded with a small stipend . The patron received a valuable appointment in the service of the Honourable East India Company , and on leaving England sent for
the object of his former care , hoping that change of habits , scenes , and associates , might work a reformation ;—he restored him to his service , and in fact , to his confidence . Their stay in Madeira was protracted by the serious indisposition of his patron , during which , unfortunately , former habits , too fatally fixed , resumed their sway , and he became the easy dupe of those who well knew how to prey upon an unstable mind ; he robbed his master of an inconsiderable sum , this crime was proved
clearly , yet he was again forgiven , and with his master was about leaving Madeira , when it was discovered that money and valuables to a considerable amount were missing—he was suspected—and imprisoned , His master left Madeira to proceed on his voyage . " There appearing on trial a difficulty of proof , the prisoner was discharged , and a passage to England was arranged by the consul . ' It was in this extremity that the poor fellow pleaded hard for a passage to -, that he might rejoin his patron , well knowing that the generosity of his heart which forgave the proven guilt , would be satisfied of his innocence of the heavier robbery , and that his natural
benevolence would restore him to his protection . The letter alluded to had proved unavailing . —The consul had determined otherwiseand the interview was unsuccessful : on his knees the poor fellow implored with a fervency that could only be felt in a bitter extremity , but , we left him behind us and joined the ship . " The anchor was fairly weighed , the crew all busied in executinofinal orders , the last boat alone was alongside when the unhappy sub "
jcct of this anecdote rushed forward , beseeching the commander to take him before the master , or even " in irons" to his patron . It should be stated that the pilot who brought him on board was acquainted with all the circumstances , and had been won by earnest entreaty to brino- him on board , but with a promise to return if unsuccessful , otherwise the poor fellow might in the confusion have secreted himself until the ship was fairly at sea .
The captain continued inexorable , the disconsolate man reached the gangway and went over the side with tearful eyes and aching heart ; on a sudden he jumped upon deck , and hastened , or rather ran into the cuddy , demanding one moment ' s private interview with the commander—but one moment—it was granted . 1 cannot state what passed , it must indeed have been a mystic second . The chief mate was on that instant sent forand the ilot shortlafter entered his boatleaving
, p y , the too happy supplicant behind . " The passengers were assembled at dinner , when the capt . dn stated , that he had performed the duty of a FUEEMASON , and had written to VOL . n . < 5 „
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Interesting Anecdote.
destination was Madeira , Bengal , and China ; we had a pleasant passage to Madeira , and were about leaving the island , the passengers had their notice to join the ship , and the purser was closing his accounts , —• when a decent looking man was announced , who wished to speak to the captain ; it appeared he had received an unfavourable answer to a previous letter , —there was no time for ceremony , and he was directed to enter the room .
" Ilis tale was simple hut touching—a generous patron who had educated him in England with an intention to provide for him as his industry should render him worthy , was compelled to discharge him , for gross negligence of duty . Instead of being a faithful servant he proved utterly unworthy of trust , and he was discarded with a small stipend . The patron received a valuable appointment in the service of the Honourable East India Company , and on leaving England sent for
the object of his former care , hoping that change of habits , scenes , and associates , might work a reformation ;—he restored him to his service , and in fact , to his confidence . Their stay in Madeira was protracted by the serious indisposition of his patron , during which , unfortunately , former habits , too fatally fixed , resumed their sway , and he became the easy dupe of those who well knew how to prey upon an unstable mind ; he robbed his master of an inconsiderable sum , this crime was proved
clearly , yet he was again forgiven , and with his master was about leaving Madeira , when it was discovered that money and valuables to a considerable amount were missing—he was suspected—and imprisoned , His master left Madeira to proceed on his voyage . " There appearing on trial a difficulty of proof , the prisoner was discharged , and a passage to England was arranged by the consul . ' It was in this extremity that the poor fellow pleaded hard for a passage to -, that he might rejoin his patron , well knowing that the generosity of his heart which forgave the proven guilt , would be satisfied of his innocence of the heavier robbery , and that his natural
benevolence would restore him to his protection . The letter alluded to had proved unavailing . —The consul had determined otherwiseand the interview was unsuccessful : on his knees the poor fellow implored with a fervency that could only be felt in a bitter extremity , but , we left him behind us and joined the ship . " The anchor was fairly weighed , the crew all busied in executinofinal orders , the last boat alone was alongside when the unhappy sub "
jcct of this anecdote rushed forward , beseeching the commander to take him before the master , or even " in irons" to his patron . It should be stated that the pilot who brought him on board was acquainted with all the circumstances , and had been won by earnest entreaty to brino- him on board , but with a promise to return if unsuccessful , otherwise the poor fellow might in the confusion have secreted himself until the ship was fairly at sea .
The captain continued inexorable , the disconsolate man reached the gangway and went over the side with tearful eyes and aching heart ; on a sudden he jumped upon deck , and hastened , or rather ran into the cuddy , demanding one moment ' s private interview with the commander—but one moment—it was granted . 1 cannot state what passed , it must indeed have been a mystic second . The chief mate was on that instant sent forand the ilot shortlafter entered his boatleaving
, p y , the too happy supplicant behind . " The passengers were assembled at dinner , when the capt . dn stated , that he had performed the duty of a FUEEMASON , and had written to VOL . n . < 5 „