Fight Off Charleston

FEBRUARY 21, 1863.]

HARPER'S WEEKLY.

127

"You mean that George has forgotten me, do you not?"

And whether it were Philip's voice, or the music that still went on, she was answered,

"Yes."

"Still," she pursued, "love is not a bargain. If we have lost it once it is forever. There can be no second trial."

"There is indifference, however, and weariness on your part," he returned, "and an active will on mine. You have no longer any thing with which to oppose me; and I am not only willing, but intend to take you, cold as you are. You have only to choose between meeting 'them,' coming here to triumph over you, forlorn and desolate, or as my wife, to seem, at least, in their eyes, unhurt, unharmed. That is your affair, not mine."

This was Philip, the true-hearted gentleman, the faithful lover of truth and right! No longer was there hope of refuge for her in such a heart as that; but she might have rest from struggling, purchase peace from his will, by yielding to it. He had only spoken truth. Sooner or later he must triumph. Why prolong the contest? In his hand he held a ring—"Fortis" glittered on it in the firelight, the motto of the iron race of Duponts. He had slipped it on her finger, he had kissed the little passive hand, he had called her "his" before he left her. And again, as the door closed after him, she heard with wonder how the storm had grown; with what wild tumult it raved about the cozy little house; and how the air was full of sighing, wailing voices. As she listened to them, she was startled by a sigh close at her side, and looking up with dread, saw a dark, motionless figure within reach of her hand. Her heart beat wildly —stopped—throbbed sickeningly again. What was this? She raised herself, she held out her hands, she cried out in terror, as a sudden jet of flame, shooting up from the glowing cinders, shone full on the face of George. She had not heard him come; she could not divine how he had entered; but she sprang to her feet, she clasped him close. She never once remembered his falsehood, his marriage. It was enough that his eyes looked down on her as tenderly as when they parted; that he called her "Precious," as he had done then; that he held her fast in his arm, as if he thought her "precious," as they sat together on the sofa.

"My little Sophie, you have been true!" were his first words. "God bless you, and forgive me for doubting you; but I heard some hateful rumors of you and Philip, and when I met him coming from here, and looking so exultant, I half believed them."

True! with that circlet galling her finger for evermore. True! with that device on her third finger striking out into unbearable light in his very sight!

"I have been through a great agony," he went on, not observing her silence. "Only two weeks ago I emerged from delirium and monstrous dreams, that were to be counted by weeks, not days. In all that time you had received no word from me, and the thought made me so mad to come to you that I retarded my own recovery. The pain and fever were nothing to the avarice with which I counted the seconds, to the miserable helplessness with which I have submitted to the creeping of express trains, to the irritation with—with—why, what is this?" for he had seen the ring at last—at last; its baleful lettering had obtruded itself on his sight. He had recognized it; and if it had been an asp, and stung him, he could not have looked at it with more ashy horror—spoken more falteringly: "Sophia, what is this?"

She was silent; her bowed head and shrinking figure speaking to him plainly enough.

"Answer," he said, sternly. "Did you ever love me?"

"Yes."

"Then you were too weak to be faithful?"

"I think I was mad."

He rose, casting her aside like an infected thing; but she clung to him.

"Oh! don't hate me."

"Hate you! Not at all. I don't hate the thistle because it has not proved the lily that I expected. I only despise my own folly."

"Alas! I have harmed you as well as myself. You will never again believe in woman's faith and truth."

"Oh yes; only I will apportion my belief better. I will grant them capable of faith for half an hour—truth while they are talking."

He thrust her off as he spoke, pushing away her clinging fingers rudely. She sprang after him, sobbing, struggling with the arms that held her, still believing in the miserable truth of her dream —looking up piteously into the grave, attentive face of Philip—seeing, with wonder, that there were lights in the room, and that her mother was standing near the door.

"Philip!" she cried out, wildly, "be generous. I can not, oh, I can not!" as she was not yet fully awake, still putting forth all her little strength to escape.

"You see," said Philip's deep voice, glancing slightly toward her mother, "how worse than hopeless it is!" Then to Sophie: "If any thing that I have ever said or dared to hope has pained you, I here renounce it; bury it deep, forget it, and think of me in future as only your friend, but a friend always—till death—"

Something in his face told her that the sentence was unfinished—something in the pain of his look, and the way in which her mother glanced at the half-open door, gave her a guess of what was waiting in the shadow of the hall. Before the door slowly opened—before he came pale and ghost-like with wasting sickness, but glad and eager—before she sprang into his arms with a cry that pierced the hearts of those who heard it—she was sure that it was George.

And Philip? There must always be pain to bring forth life. Trees fall that fires may burn and homes be joyful; mountains grind away that valleys may be enriched. To some it is given to suffer, as to others to rejoice; and he won his cross as they their crown.

THE FIGHT OFF CHARLESTON.

IN our last we announced, on the strength of rebel telegrams to Richmond, which had found their way into the New York Herald, that the rebel rams at Charleston had attacked our blockading fleet off Charleston, and destroyed the Mercedita. We have since received a sketch of the affair from an occasional correspondent, which we reproduce on page 117, and subjoin the following reliable account of the transaction:

It appears from the statement of an intelligent eye-witness that the cause of this attack of the rebel rams on our squadron was owing to the capture of the Princess Royal, the captain and pilot of that vessel having escaped ashore during the darkness of the night, and communicated intelligence to the enemy.

The Princess Royal endeavored to run the blockade by way of Beach Inlet on the 29th ult., but was discovered by the pilot-boat Blunt. On signal being given the Unadilla proceeded toward her, and captured the prize without other assistance. It was then discovered that the captain and pilot had succeeded in getting ashore by a small boat, carrying important dispatches to the rebel Government. The Unadilla carried her to the side of the Housatonic, and lay there till daylight, when a thunder of guns was heard, accompanied by sharp flashes of fire. It was supposed that our fleet was engaged in making, or the Alabama or Florida were endeavoring to force, an entrance. At daybreak two rebel iron-clads were seen coming down from the direction of Stone Inlet toward our fleet.

They attacked the Mercedita first. One ram struck her on the water ridge, keeling her over, and at the same time firing a shot, which entered one of her boilers, causing the death of three persons, including a gunner, by a shot and steam. The ram then hailed the Mercedita, and Captain Stellwagen lowered one of his small boats, after leaving one of the plugs out, allowing the water to enter it. The ram answered our hail by replying, "Confederate ram Palmetto State. Do you surrender?" This was repeated three times, Captain Stellwagen replying at each inquiry, "I am in a sinking condition." The rebels answered, "God damn you to hell, if you don't surrender we will blow you out of water. Send your boat aboard."

The boat which Captain Stellwagen lowered then conveyed his lieutenant (executive officer) to the side of the rebel ram, and the officer asked to be admitted on board. This was refused. The lieutenant then repeated Captain Steliwagen's statement that "we are in a sinking condition." The rebel officer replied, "You can't sink lower than the rails; we can not take you aboard." The officer then gave his parole, as demanded, and returned to his ship. The rebels were thus successfully deceived as to the condition of the Mercedita, thinking she was in a sinking condition. She lay in shoal water, and hence their reply that "she could not sink lower than her rails."

The ram then steamed toward the Keystone State, and sent a shot through her steam drum, causing the death of twenty-one persons—twelve by the shot and nine by being scalded by steam. Fifteen were wounded, and are lying at Port Royal, some in a precarious condition. In the mean time the United States gun-boat Housatonic engaged the other ram, driving her away. At half past six o'clock in the morning both rams left the scene and proceeded up to Charleston.

During this attack on our fleet, the Princess Royal, which lay near the Housatonic, and was the chief object of contest on both sides, succeeded in getting off, mainly through the energies of Third Assistant Engineer Thurston, who piled into her fires all the inflammable material at hand.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Attention Agents, Soldiers, and Masons.

Any one wishing to purchase JEWELRY, I will send as sample, on the receipt of $1, together with my wholesale Circular, either a Gold Masonic Pin or Ring, or a Gent's Cluster Pin with Chain attached, or a neat new style Vest Chain, or Neck Chain, or a splendid Gold Pen and Pencil, or a beautiful Engraved Bracelet, or Spring Locket, or a California Diamond Ring or Pin. B. T. HAYWARD, Manufacturing Jeweler, 208 Broadway, N. Y.

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The Family Circle Glee Book, containing about 200 Songs, Glees, Choruses, &c., including many of the most Popular pieces of the Day. Arranged and Harmonized for Four Voices, with full Accompaniment for the Piano, Seraphine, and Melodeon, for the use of Glee Clubs, Singing Classes, and the Home Circle. By Elias Howe. 2 Vols., each $1.25. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of price, by DITSON & CO., Publishers, Boston.

Cured by Bates' Patent Scientific Electro appliances—the only known means for the rapid and permanent cure of Stammering, Stuttering, &c. For Pamphlets and Drawings describing the same, address H. C. L. MEARS, 277 West 23d Street, New York. P. O. Box 5076.

Fine Sleeve and Bosom Studs.

Sleeve and Bosom Studs made of the finest Ivory, brought to a high polish, of all colors, and engraved with Initial Letter, Old English, &c. Monograms to order. Free by mail on receipt of price. Sets, $1.50. Trade supplied.    JOHN F. PHELPS, 429 Broadway, N. Y.

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Humbug Exploded! A "Book of Wonders!" containing more than 1000 "Mistakes Corrected," "Secrets and Patents Revealed," "Employment for all," Arts, Money-Making Recipes and Discoveries (Artificial Gold, Silver, and Diamonds, "Whiskers and Mustaches in Six Weeks," Art of Embalming, Rarey's Horse-Taming Method, "Greek Fire," Fire-Eating, Hunters' Secret, everything), now sold by various "public benefactors," (?) from $1 to $5 each. "Medical Adviser," "Guide to Beauty," "Road to Wealth," Cookery and Toilet Recipes, &c. A work really valuable to everybody, mailed on receipt of 20c. Also, a Book containing all the above, and, in addition, many valuable "Rules for Preserving the Health of Soldiers," Hints on Camp-Life, ample directions for cooking, and full instructions for getting furloughs and discharges. Sent by mail for 25c. Address E. R. WALL, Box 362, Syracuse, N. Y.

Agents, Male and Female, wanted to sell Articles of real merit and practical utility, needed by every family. Great profits realized.

CATARRH!—Dr. Goodale's CATARRH REMEDY penetrates to the very seat of this terrible disease, and exterminates it, root and branch. Price $1.00. Send a stamp for a pamphlet. Depot 612 Broadway.

J. H. WINSLOW & CO., 100,000 WATCHES, CHAINS, &c., &c. WORTH $500,000. To be sold for One Dollar each, without regard to value, and not to be paid for till you know what you are to get.

SPLENDID LIST!! OF ARTICLES TO BE SOLD FOR ONE DOLLAR EACH.

100 Gold Hunting Cased Watches   $100.00 each. 100 Gold Watches 60.00 each. 200 Ladies' Gold Watches 35.00 each. 500 Ladies' and Gent's Silver Watches 15.00 each. 3000 Vest and Neck Chains   5.00 to 10.00 each. 3000 Gold Band Bracelets    5.00 to 10.00 each. 3000 " " "    3.00 to 5.00 each. 3000 Cameo Brooches    4.00 to 6.00 each. 3000 Mosaic and Jet Brooches    4.00 to 6.00 each. 3000 Lava and Florentine Brooches   4.00 to 6.00 each. 3000 Coral, Opal, and Em. Brooches   4.00 to 6.00 each. 3000 Cameo Ear Drops    4.00 to 6.00 each. 3000 Mosaic and Jet Ear Drops    4.00 to 6.00 each. 3000 Lava and Florentine Ear Drops   4.00 to 6.00 each. 3000 Coral, Em., and Opal Ear Drops   4.00 to 8.00 each. 5100 Gent's Breast Pins    2.50 to 8.00 each. 3000 Watch Keys    2.00 to 6.00 each. 5000 Fob and Ribbon Slides    2.00 to 6.00 each. 5000 Sets of Bosom Studs    2.50 to 6.00 each. 5000 Sleeve Buttons    2.50 to 6.00 each. 6000 Plain Rings    2.50 to 5.00 each. 6000 Stone Set Rings    2.50 to 6.00 each. 6000 Lockets    2.50 to 10.00 each. 5000 Sets Ladies' Jewelry   5.00 to 10.00 each. 10000 Gold Pens, Silver M'ted Holders   4.00 to 5.00 each.

10000 Gold Pens, with Silver Extension Cases and Pencils   4.00 to 6.00 each. All Gold Pens 14 Carats and Warranted. All of the above list of Goods will be sold for one dollar each. Certificates of all the various articles, stating what each one can have, are first put into envelopes, sealed up, and mixed; and when ordered, are taken out without regard to choice, and sent by mail, thus giving all a fair chance. On receipt of the Certificate, you will see what you can have, and then it is at your option to send one dollar and take the article or not.

In all transactions by mail, we shall charge for forwarding the Certificates, paying postage, and doing the business, 25 cents each, which must be inclosed when the Certificate is sent for. Five Certificates will be sent for $1; eleven for $2; thirty for $5; sixty-five for $10; and a hundred for $15.

AGENTS.—Those acting as Agents will be allowed ten cents on every Certificate ordered by them, provided their remittance amounts to one dollar. Agents will collect 25 cents for every Certificate, and remit 15 cents to us, either in cash or postage stamps. Great caution should be used by our correspondents in regard to giving their correct address, Town, County, and State. Address J. H. WINSLOW & CO., 208 Broadway, New York. SALESROOMS COR. JOHN AND NASSAU STREETS, New York, Feb. 14, 1863.

TO OUR PATRONS!—Our prices, on and after date, will be regulated by the following schedule: Should Exchange advance, a proportionate difference will be made in the rates. Our goods are novelties, imported especially for "the times," and can not be obtained from any other house.

The Magic Time Observer,

THE PERFECTION OF MECHANISM!

BEING A HUNTING AND OPEN FACE, OR LADY'S OR GENTLEMAN'S WATCH COMBINED, WITH PATENT SELF-WINDING IMPROVEMENT.

The NEW YORK ILLUSTRATED NEWS, the leading pictorial paper of the United States, in its issue of Jan. 10th, 1863, on page 147, says: "We have been shown a most pleasing novelty, of which the HUBBARD BROS., of New York, are the sole importers. It is called the MAGIC TIME OBSERVER, and is a hunting and open face watch combined. One of the prettiest, most convenient, and decidedly the best and cheapest timepiece for general and reliable use ever offered. It has within it and connected with its machinery, its own winding attachment, rendering a key entirely unnecessary. The cases of this Watch are composed of two metals, the outer one being fine 16 carat gold. It has the improved ruby action lever movement, and is warranted an accurate timepiece."

Price, superbly engraved, per case of a half dozen, $204. Sample Watches, in neat morocco boxes, for those proposing to buy at wholesale, $35.

The Improved Duplex In Full Ruby Actions.

A first-class timepiece, of silver material, over which it electro-fire plated fine 18 k. gold, making the imitation so faultless that it can not be detected from the solid material by the most experienced judges; acids will not affect it. Has sweep seconds and stop movement, and is not to be excelled in general appearance. Engineers, emigrants, and persons traveling, will find them superior to any others; alteration of climate will not affect their accuracy. Price $190 per case of six, or a single one packed in good shape and in best running order, only $32.00.

Hunting Composition Cased Levers.

English manufacture movement; capped and full jeweled, have sunk seconds, and the newest improvements. Heavy cased and good imitation of gold. Price per case of a half dozen, $110, or per single one, only $20.

Open Face Ladies' Timepiece.

Jeweled, capped, and all the recent improvements, electro fire plated with 18 k. gold. A very pretty ornament, for neatness of design and finish stands unsurpassed. Price per case of six in good running order, only $90.00. Single one $16.00. Will retail at from $30 to $50.

The Hunting
Silver Plated Army Watch.

Superior regulated movement and handsome finish, decorated dial, fancy hands, &c., per case of half dozen, $85. A single one, $15.

The Hunting Composition Cased Army Watch.

Jeweled and fancy polished cap, handsomely engraved, in octagon or round cases. Price per case of a half dozen, $85. Single one, $15.

OUR TERMS ARE CASH IN ALL INSTANCES! Remittances may be made either by mail or Express in Treasury notes or any bankable funds. Goods can be sent by Express with bill for collection on delivery. Strangers will please deposit the whole amount in the hands of the Express Company at the place where they will receive the parcel, or make us a cash remittance of two dollars as a guarantee that the bill will be paid. THESE RULES ARE POSITIVE, AND WILL NOT BE DEVIATED FROM. BUYERS IN THE ARMY MUST REMIT CASH IN ADVANCE! as we can not collect from them; the Express companies having peremptorily declined such commissions. The Express is the cheapest and safest method of transmitting valuables, but where there is only a mail-route, purchasers can have their goods sent in that manner by forwarding twelve cents additional upon every dollars' worth to pay postage. Address HUBBARD BROS., Importers, North cor. John and Nassau Streets, NEW YORK.

READER!—If you want employment, or the best (Two-threaded) Sewing Machine over manufactured, send to ISAAC HALE, JR. & CO., Newburyport, Mass., for a circular of terms, &c. A liberal salary, or commission, as the Agent may choose.

INDIA RUBBER GLOVES

Should be used by every person who is troubled with Salt Rheum or Chapped Hands, rendering them soft and white as alabaster. They are impervious to hot or cold water, and for housework and gardening are invaluable.

Sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of $1.00 for Ladies' Sizes, $1.12 for Gents. O. B. GRAY, 201 Broadway, N. Y.

RUBBER JEWELRY, &c. Rubber Goods in great variety, Wholesale and Retail.

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"It is one of the most extensive fertile tracts, in an almost level position, and suitable condition for pleasant farming that we know of this side of the Western Prairies.

These Celebrated Engraved Cards sold only at J. EVERDELL'S
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Established 1840.   For Specimen by Mail, send two stamps.

$75 A MONTH! I want to hire Agents in every county at $75 a month, expenses paid, to sell my new cheap Family Sewing Machines. Address,

S. MADISON, Alfred, Maine.

FRIENDS OF SOLDIERS!

All Articles for Soldiers at Baltimore, Washington, Hilton Head, Newbern, and all places occupied by Union troops, should be sent, at half rates, by HARNDEN'S EXPRESS, No. 74 Broadway. Sutlers charged low rates.

Cristadoro's Hair Dye.

THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

Cristadoro's Hair Preservative.

Unequaled as a dressing. Both for sale everywhere, and applied at No. 6 Astor House, N. Y.

GOLD PENS retailing at wholesale prices. Send for circular. GEORGE F. HAWKES, 64 Nassau St., N.Y.

$60 A MONTH! We want Agents at $60 a month, expenses paid, to sell our Everlasting Pencils, Oriental Burners, and 13 other new articles. 15 circulars free. Address, SHAW & CLARK, Biddeford, Me.

AGENTS!—A New Article! Something worthy of your attention! Full particulars free, or sample (worth 50 cents) sent for 30 cents to those proposing to act as Agents. Address Inventor. P.O. Box 12, Hawley, Pa.

Pensions, Bounty, Pay, Prize

Money, and all Army and Navy Claims, promptly collected. Reliable information furnished, sales of claims negotiated upon the best terms, and accounts cashed. A pamphlet of Laws and Instructions sent by enclosing a one-cent stamp to pay postage.

SOMES & BROWN, 2 Park Place, N. Y.

AND ARMS. Selpho's Patent. 516 Broadway, N. Y., Opposite St. Nicholas Hotel. Send for a Circular.

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Light Employment for either Sex.

From $2 to $5 can be made in an evening. It requires no capital, and the materials cost but a few cents. This recipe is worth $500 to any person who is unemployed evenings. Full instructions sent for 25 cents.

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R. G. GRAHAM, No. 109 Nassau Street, N. Y.

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   C. E. HUNTER & CO., Hinsdale, N. II.

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