July.] 



A MOURNING FAMILY. 



335 



have kissed him, and am certain that he is quite well. And I- have 

 got good news for him, too." 



The reader will easily perceive that I now found myself placed in 

 a very awkward, in a very painful situation. To dash at once from 

 the lips of this amiable girl a cup overflowing with hope, joy, and 

 affection, I could not for the wealth of worlds ; the worth of the An- 

 tarctic, and all her valuable cargo, would not have bribed me. I stole 

 an appealing glance at my wife, for counsel and assistance ; but in- 

 stantly read, in an answering glance, that I must depend on my own 

 resources. I therefore resolved to gain time by evasion, and so made 

 the following reply : 



" William Ogden ! There is no man of that name on board of the 

 Antarctic." She now looked very much alarmed. " But as you allude 

 to his giving you the slip, and shipping in a sudden, unexpected man- 

 ner, it is highly probable that he may have entered under, an assumed 

 name. It is often done by romantic young men, you know, especially 

 if there be 4 a lady in the case.' " 



" An assumed name !" repeated the affectionate sister. " Why should 

 he do so ? And yet it is possible. Indeed, it must be so ; for I know, 

 we all know, that he sailed in the Antarctic ; and the very night before 

 he sailed a strange band of music came under his window, and played 

 the beautiful air of ' Home, sweet home,' in the sweetest style, he told 

 us, that ever he heard it performed in his life. But he knew not who 

 the musicians were, nor could he imagine the cause of their paying 

 him the compliment of so pleasing a serenade. They repeated it 

 several times, he said, and the effect on his mind was such as almost 

 induced him to relinquish his wild resolution of going to sea." 



" Well, Miss Ogden," I replied, with as much firmness as I could 

 assume, " if your brother be on board the Antarctic, under whatever 

 name he may have shipped, you shall see him to-morrow, or at least 

 hear some reasons for his non-attendance. You shall not be kept in 

 suspense an hour after I return to the vessel." 



With this assurance she appeared satisfied, and after thanking me, 

 departed with a heart as light as gossamer, or the down of a thistle. 

 I now consulted with my wife and one or two friends, on the best 

 mode of breaking the distressing intelligence to the now happy family. 

 One of my friends, much better qualified for such a mournful office 

 than myself, volunteered his services on the occasion. I did not at- 

 tempt to express my gratitude to him ; but I felt it : and if he should 

 chance to cast his eye upon this page, let him be assured that I thank 

 him still, for saving my feelings on that occasion. I would not shrink 

 from any duty, under ordinary circumstances ; but the reader must 

 bear in mind that I had yet scarcely embraced my family, after a long 

 absence. 



My friend performed his assumed duty, and acquitted himself on 

 this occasion, as he does on every other, in the best possible manner. 

 The shock was great ; but every member of that highly respectable 

 and very amiable family had been taught by affectionate and pious 

 parents to be resigned to the will of Providence. The thrice-bereaved 

 and widowed mother came to see me on the following day, and thanked 



