The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 8, July, 1836Various
General
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 8, July, 1836
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Sympathy—that noblest attribute of the soul, finds as ready response
in the heart of the child of nature, as in the tutored feelings of the
man of civilization; and the lawless wrecker in his course of plunder,
may act as nobly, and feel as proudly the sacred glow of humanity, as
does the sage expounder of moral legislation! The witnesses of the sad
scene we have described, furnished ample illustration of the fact, for
the men of Cape Cod, “albeit, unused to the melting mood,” drew their
hands over their eyes, and their tones were husky as they communed
with each other, while the women, ever alive (in all conditions) to
the dictates of humanity, busied themselves in the attempt to excite
to action the frozen channels of life in the unfortunate maiden.
The intense pitch to which the sensibilities of her {496} preserver
were strung, precluded him from enjoying the repose he so much
required, and supported by one of the spectators, he stood watching
with silent expectation the efforts at resuscitation practised upon
his companion in suffering. The exertions of the females were at
length crowned with success, the ashy paleness of her brow was crossed
by the flush of returning animation, and before the lapse of another
hour the children of the wreck, who but a short time since were tossed
to and fro upon the capricious waters, found themselves under the
friendly roof, and seated at the hospitable board of Gregory Cox, to
whose dwelling the generous wreckers had borne them.
The kindly nature of their host, for a long time, taught him
forbearance upon the subject of their painful story, and weeks passed
on before he gently hinted his wish to hear the sad recital, and so
judiciously did the worthy Quaker prosecute his inquiries, that the
detail was given, with scarce the knowledge of the lad, that the
events over which he brooded had been revealed to their sympathizing
friend. His narrative was brief, yet pregnant with misfortune. Thus it
ran.
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