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Cora and The Doctor: or, Revelations of A Physician's Wife
Cora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's Wife
CHAPTER I
"Dear Mother – between friend and friend,
Prose answers every common end;
Serves in a plain and homely way,
To express the occurrence of the day,
Our health, the weather, and the news,
What walks we take, what books we choose,
And all the floating thoughts we find
Upon the surface of the mind." Southey's Cowper.
Ship Castor and Pollux, off Staten Island, 9 o'clock, Monday morning, June 1st, 1835.
Dearest Mother, – We are fast nearing land. The pilot is already on board; and I shall soon set my foot upon the new world which is henceforth to be my home.
In fulfilment of my promise, I begin thus early my journal of daily events, which I shall transmit to you from time to time as opportunity shall offer.
A torrent of emotion rushes through my mind, pleasure mingled with pain – pleasure at the prospect of the happiness, I may reasonably expect in the society of a beloved husband – and pain at the thought of the long time which will probably intervene before I shall see the loved members of our home-circle, and also from the assurance that when I set my foot upon the shores of the Western continent, the broad Atlantic will roll between us.
But I must turn from these sad musings to the scene around me. The passengers are all wide awake; Some are hurrying to and fro in search of baggage, while others, having succeeded in getting their trunks brought on deck, are sitting upon them and awaiting their search by the Custom House officers. But by far the greater part are standing in groups, leaning over the railing of the ship, eagerly gazing at the shore, talking earnestly of friends whom they expect to meet, or expressing curiosity at the sight of America, the birth place of the immortal Washington.
My dear Frank pointed out to me the harbor with the skiffs flying in every direction – the forest of masts with their national flags – the lofty spires pointing heaven-ward – and the stately domes looming up to view, while directly before us are the wharves lined with extensive ware-rooms and store-houses. But I must close the first page in my journal.
Crawford, Tuesday, June 2d.
We reached New York in season for dinner at the Astor House, and for the evening boat to Providence, from which place we took the stage-coach for Crawford; and arrived here about noon. At the public house, which I should judge was a mile distant, we alighted; and I saw a broad-shouldered, well-dressed colored man come eagerly forward and seize the Doctor by the hand, while he cast a glance of curiosity at me.
"This is your young Mistress, Cæsar," said Frank.
Cæsar took off his hat, bowing and scraping in the most approved style; and when I gave him my hand, he exhibited a splendid set of ivory, extending almost from ear to ear.