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Show 46 Early Western Travels [ VoL 26 limbs shockingly shattered racked the poor sufferer with anguish inexpressible. It was evident he believed himself seriously injured, for at times he would fling out his arms, beseeching those around him to " hold him back," as if even then he perceived the icy grasp of the death angel creeping over his frame. [ 17] Perhaps I have devoted more word* to the detail of this melancholy incident than would otherwise have been the case, on account of the interest which some circumstances in the sufferer's history, subsequently received from the captain of our steamer, inspired. " Frank, poor fellow," said die captain, " was a native of Ohio, the son of a lone woman, a widow. He was all her hope, and to his exertions she was indebted for a humble support." Here, then, were circumstances to touch the sympathies of any heart possessed of but a tithe of the nobleness of our nature; and I could not but reflect, as they were recounted, how like the breath of desolation the first intelligence of her son's fearful end must sweep over the spirit of this lonely widow; for, like the wretched Constance, she can " never, never behold him more." 8 " Her life, her joy, her food, her all the world! Her widow- comfort, and her sorrow's cure!" While indulging in these sad reflections a gay burst of music arrested my attention; and, looking up, I perceived the packet- boat" Lady Marshall" dropping from her mooring at the quay, her decks swarming with passengers, and under high press of steam, holding her bold course against the current, while the merry dashing of the wheels, mingling with the wild clang of martial music, imparted an air almost of romance to the scene. How strangely did this contrast with that misery from which my eye had just turned 1 • The reference is to Shakespeare's King John, m , iv.- ED. |