Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1876 — A. Romance of Rhode Island. [ARTICLE]

A. Romance of Rhode Island.

In connection with Newport and piracy the “ History of Rhode Island” records a touching story which, as the author savs, seems more like fiction than fact, We give the domestic tale—which would make a much more charming and attractive theme for the poet and dramatist than “ Enoch Arden”—jn the words of the historian: Samuel Cranston, a gentleman of noble descent and who hsd highly distinguished himself as a merchant in Hewphrt. on the breaking out dr the French war of 1755, finding business completely paralyzed and being of an active tempeiament of mind, was induced to start on a voyage for Jamaica, not, however, anticipating the scenes and events which he was destined to endure in the prosecution of the voyage. When off the keys of Florida they were attacked by a piratical vesael. They defended themselves to the utmost, satisfied that, should thev fall Into their hands, no mercy would bo shown them, but all their eflorts were in vain, and they were compelled to surrender to the enemy. Such was the savage cruelty of these buccaneers that neither prayers nor expostulations had the least effect on their hard and obdurate hearts. The passengers and crew were all inhumanly butchered on the Xt with the exception of Mr. Cranston, 3 was spared in order to labor onboard the vessel as a common menial. To a mind like his it must have been deeply humiliating to be suddenly thrown from an elevated position in society and compelled to herd with brutes in human torm. In this condition he was doomed to labor tor seven years. The thoughts of home would rush on the mind, producing pain and disquietude, and anxiously looking forward to the moment of deliverance, when he should once more par-, ticipate in the enjoyment of the domestic circle. He had watched feVery moment from the time of his captivity for an opportunity to effect his escape; the propitious hour seemed now to have arrived and he availed himself of it. Having secured a boat and secreted some provisions he committed himself to the winds and waves, trusting in Divine Providence for protection. After having been tossed about for many days he was so fortunate as to fall in With an English ship bound from Jamaica to Halifax, who kindly took him on board and treated him with marked attention. On his arrival at Halifax a passage wa9 given him to Boston, and on his arrival there he was startled at the rumor lhat his wife was on the eve of being married to a Mr. Russell, of Boston. This was an additional stroke, and rendered his mind a prey to the most gloomy thoughts. Poor and penniless, he started from Boston on foot for Newport, there to await the issue. On his arrival he entered the back door of his former residence, in the character of a mendicant, and craved food from the servants, which was readily granted. After appeasing the cravings of hunger, he inquired if Mrs. Cranston was the mistress of-the house. On being answered in the affirmative, he stated that he had a message which he wished to communicate to her. On being informed that it would be entirely out of her power to comply with his wishes, as she was then making preparations for her nuptial celebration, which was to take place that evening, the heart of Cranston was seized with the most painful emotion, that his lovely, adored wife was about to espouse another. He requested the servant to tell her mistress that he had seen her husband that day at twelve o’clock crossing Howland’s Ferry. Such intelligence, so unaccountable, yet highly interesting, brought Mrs. Cranston from her toilet, to look on the bearer of such intelligence. He briefly rehearsed over the sufferings which her husband had endured, which she listened to with the deepest interest. He wished to know of Mrs. Cranston whether she had ever seen him before. Dressed in sailor’s garb, with a tarpaulin hat partially drawn over his eyes, she replied in the negative. Finding himself a stranger, ana unknown, in his own mansion, he at last raised his hat and gave her a significant look, at the same moment pointing to a scar on his forehead, and exclaiming: “ Did you, Mrs. Cranston, ever see that mark before?” She at once flung herself on his bosom, and exclaimed, in transports of joy: “You are my own, own dear, long-lost husband!” It required, as you may well imagine, some little time for the paroxysm to subside, and for Mr. Cranston to dress himself in a manner becoming his rank and station, before entering the drawing-room, where the elegant group had assembled to witness the ceremony. Mr. Russell and the officiating clergyman were already present, and nothing was wanting but the appearance of the bride. Soon, however, she entered, gracefully leaning on the arm of Mr. Cranston, whom she introduced as her long-absent husband. The scene was worthy of the chisel of the -artist, andproduced emotions of delight in the minds of the guests. Mr. Russell, with true magnanimity, insisted that the marriage ceremony should be repeated, he giving the bride to her former husband, and endowing her with the amount which he intended to settle on her as his wife.—Manhattan Monthly.