American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-05-03

in the fall of the year he returned:-and,
on lonely eve Of September, walked to-
wards his long deserted home. Those on
ly are acquainted with the pleasures of the
country, who have spent their early days
in rural retirement. AS the young sailor
drew near the spot where he spent his ear
ly days-as he assembled the last sloping
which hid from his sight the little stage on
which he acted the first scenes in the dra-
ma of life, his memory recalled to his mind
all his happier days. while fancy whisper
ed deceitfully that hours equally agreeable
would againbe realized.-the grove through
which he had SO often wandered while it
ECHOED with the music of the leathered
|tribe-the gentle stream on whose b l.ks
he had SO often sported-and the rising
|spire of the temple Of Jehovah all tended
Ito excite the most interesting SENSATIONS.
He drew near the cottage of his mother,
and found all was Stiffness. Moth g was
Ito be heard save the gentle murmurs of the
unruffled waves, or the distant barking of
a village dog.-A solemnity seemed to be
breathing around him, and, as he rapt at
his mothers door, his heart misgaye him,
though he knew not why. He knocked,
but no one bid him enter. He called, but
no answer was returned save the echo Of
his own voice. 1t seemed like knocking
at the door of tomb. The nearest neigh
Dor, hearing the noise, came, and found
the youth sitting and sobblng on the steps
ofthe door. Where" cried he with ca
gerness, "where is my mother and my
brother? o, hope they are not''-" y
said the stranger "you inquire for widow
$50, | can only pity you; | have known
her but short time; but she was the best
woman ever knew. Her little boy died
Of fever about year ago, and in conse-
quence offatigue in taking care of him, and
an anxiety for long absent son at sea. the
good old woman herself was buried yester-
day." go heavens ~ cried the youth,
6 have staid only long enough to kill my
mother? Wretch that am-show me the
gravel have dagger in my bundle
my poor broken hearted parent ~ Hold,
friend" said the astonished neighbor; if
you are this woman's eldest son, | nave a
letter for you, which she wrote few days
before she died, and desired you might re-
ceive it, should you ever RETURN"
They both returned from the cottage,
and went to the house Of the neighhor -
A light being produced, the young man
threw down his bundle and hat. and read
tn following letter, W lie his manly cheeks
were covered with tears:
!" My Dearest and only Son,-Wher
this reaches you shall be no more Your
little brother has gone before me, and
Hcannot but hope and believe he was pre-.
pared. had fondly hoped should have
once more seen you on the shores of NOR
tality, but this hope is now relinquished.
;; | have followed you by prayers througn al
:, your wanderings. Often while you littlt
suspected it, even in the dark cold night,
: of winter, have knelt for my only son.
! There is but one thing which gives m'
pain at dying; and that is, my dear VIII
!, liam, that must leave you in this WICKED
!, world, as fear, unreconciled TO your Ma
ker. | am too low to say more. My
glass is run. As you visit the sods which
cover my dust, o remember, that you toe
!, soon must follow.--Farewell-the las
breath of your mother will be spent In pray
.. ing for you-that we may meet above"
The young mans heart was melted OF
; reading these few words from the paren
: whom he so tenderly loved and | will on
/. lily add, that this letter was the means in The
hands of God of bringing this youth to {
:, saving knowledge Of the truth +" as it is III
Jesus" that he is very respectable ant
. pious man; and that we may learn from