American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-09-04

force with increasing years, that when the youth
had reached the age of Fifteen his father in fit of
anger, turned him out of doors, with an injunction
to depart and never see his face again.
! The lads spirit was too high to render repeti
tion OF the command necessary. Unproyided as
he was, he set out Immediately ON foot for London :
where after much hardship and fatigue lie arrived,
and finding an East India captain with whom his
father had some acquaintance obtained leave to &C
company him in a voyage which commenced in d
few DAYS.
! Exasperated Mr.. Hastings was. he could not
help regrettng that his son had So well obeyed the
command which his passion had dictated; and the
mother. for whom the youth had ALWAYS testified the
greatest affection was long inconsoable From their
repeated inquiries. they were only able to learn
that their son had gone to sea; but to what part,
and in what situation they could not discover.
To this cause Of distress was soon added that of
decline IN their circumstances, owing TO repeated
losses in trade. After an Intellectual struggle of
few years, they were obliged to retire to a small
house in neighboring village. where, almost con-
suned by grief, with health and spirits broken. they
lived in Indulgence and obscurity One advantage
however, occurred to Mi. Hastings from his mis-
fortune; his temper was gradually softened his
passion subsidized, and he attempted to alleviate BIZ
kindness the suferings Of his partners in aliction
behaving with the greatest tenderness to his wife, of
whose amiable qualities he became every day more
sensible.
CHARLES, in the mean time, was passing through
various scenes Of fortune. His first setting out
was nnfavorablc. The captain, to whom he had
greatly recommended himsefby his assduiies, d.
ed on the passage; and he was set ashore at Mad
ras, without money. patron or friend. He was al
most ready to perish from want, when an opulent
merchant of the factory took compassion on him,
and carried him to his house. After witnessing his
diligence and fidelity for some time, in very low
| q adj ncpd i'm tn
counting-house. and initiated him into the CONNER
cial business of the settlement.
| During short probation in this office, the youth
exhibited such tokens of capacity that he was
thought proper person to be sent distance up
the country, to trading post Of some consequence.
He here managed some difficult and important con
Germs with so much address. and acted ON some
critical emergencies with such propriety and reso-
luton, that he acquired the confidence Of the whole
factory. lie was soon promoted to lucrative and
honorable station, and began to make fortune
with the rapidity peculiar to that country.
The impression of injury with which he had left
his fathers house. and the subsequent hardships he
underwent. for some time suppressed his flal at.
lection. He thought of home as the scene of Sc
we're and unmerited chastisement. BY degrees
however, as better prospects opened upon him, his
feelings became changed; he melted at the recol-
lection of the uniform Kindness of his mother, and
the playful endearments of his brothers and sisters
He even formed excuses for his fathers severity
and condemned his own obstnacy, as at least
equally blameable. He grew so uneasy under
these impressions, that not all the tattcrins pros
poets before him could induce him to delay any
longer an interview, which he so ardently desired
He collected all his property and took passage foi
> England, where he arrived, after an absence oil
nine years.
On landing he met with townsman, who in
r formed him Of the melancholy change in his faith
; ers situation. With heart agitated by ever,
tender emotion he instantly set off for the plact
OF their abode. 1t was towards the approach q
evening, when the unhappy couple, in melanchol
dependence. sat by their gloomy fire Letter
which Mr.. Hastings had that day received from
the landlord Of his little habItation, to whom he
was somewhat in arrears, threw more than usua
detection over the family. Holding the letter il
his hand, 6 what shall we do - said he; " he
threatens TO turn US out of doors-unleelng man
But how can expect more mercy from stranger
than showed to my own son? ~ The reflection
was too much for Mrs. Hastings to bear; sht
wrung her hands; sobbed and wept bitterly. No
thought of her present condition dwelt on he
mind; she felt only for her long-ost son. Tho
eldest daughter. whose elegance OF form wa
i'll concealed by the meanness of her dress. while
the sympathetic tears trickle1 down her checks
endeayored to console her. The father sighed
from the bottom Of his heart; and two youths
his eldest remaining sons, hung over the mournfu
scene with looks of settled melancholy. Some 0
the younger children, as yet unconscious Of sor
row, were seated round the door. they ran witt
the news that chaise had slapped before ths
house, and a fine gentleman was getting out OF it
He entered moment after, when, on viewing the
group before him, he had only strength enough t
stagger to chair and tainted. The family crowd
ed around him, and the mother, looking eagerly il
Il his face, cried "My son my son! y and sunk
down beside him The father stood with his hand.
! casped in establishment; and then dropped on l'i'
knees and exclaimed, Heaven thank thee."-
i He then flew to lis son, clasped him in his arms