Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-12

4, 'Truc, my little Don, Said The gon-
tieman, laughing, 'but you vii! not re-
turn so very a trihc to my hands'
The boy stood moment IN silence.
His young spirit evidently recoiled from
the idea of appropriatlng the Illuminating
gift, aud he remained twirling It IN his
fingers. There was an expression OF
mingled haughiiness and gratitude in his
wrought features, and his slender form
assumed all the irregular attitudes oi
]indecision. At this moment a beggar
approached them, and his countenance
Enlightened.
| SPermil me, he said, gracefully bow
ing to the traveller, permit me TO trans
fer your bounty and presenting the un-
lucky coin 10 the humble mendlcant, he
instantly disappeared.
This little incident made strong i'm
preston on the mind Of the stranger,
and two days afterwards he distinguish
ed the elastic figure Of the boy among u
group of laborers. Pleased at again
seeing him, he Immediately approached
him.
|
acquaintance ? he inquired, in tone
Of kindness.
sAlvah Hamilton replied the boy,
and I've still continued to ply the instru-
ment Of labor with bateless diligence.
Our traveller, whose name was Court
ney, looked at him with increasing in
ere asing interest. The extreme beauty
of his countenancc, its marked express
sion Of high and noble feeling, strongly
contrasted with the coarseness OF his
dress, and the rudeness Of his employ
ment.
'Have yeu paren,s' inquired Mr..
Courtney.
q have yet father
'And what is his vocation ?
'He is a WORKOUT soldier, sir, OF the
revolution, sir;' and the boy applied him
self to his task with an intensity that
seemed intended to prevent further in.
terrogation.
The tenacious Courtney, however,
was not to be shaken of.
DO you live with your father: he
continued.
Certainly, sir.
'And where =
The boy pointed in silence to de-
cayed and miserable looking dwelling.
Mr.. Courtney sighed.
A keen November blast, which at thai
moment whistled around him, told hin
the inadequacy of such a shelter.
"A soldiern he mentally exclaimed
'and perhaps his blood has been shed te
secure the rights of those who revel ir
luxury.
A few hours afterwards he knocked
at the door Of the shattered habitation
If an interest in the father had been al
ready awakened by the son, it was al
once confirmed by the appearance ot
the old man, now before him. He hat
raised his head slowly from the staff OF
which he was .eaning at the entrance o
the stranger, and discovered counte
nance where the lines Of sorrow ant
suffering were distinctly traced. Still
there was something in his high though
iurrowed brow that told his affinity will
the proud Alvah; and the ravages of in
trinity had not yet altogether robbe'
his wasted form Of the dignity Of th'
= soldier.
'Will you pardon the intrusion Of ,
stranger" said Mr.. Courtney. Ihav
been led hither merely to chat an hou
with revolutionary veteran.
Gle who comes to cheer the solitude
of darkness must be welcome said tn
old man; and Mr.. Courtney now per
celvec that he was utterly blind
The events of the revolution aforde,
an easy clue to conversation. and the
chatted without effort.
81 would said MIR. Courtney, tha
every one who assisted in our gloriou
struggle might Individually share tn
prosperity it has confirmed to our nation
| fear, however, there are many who's
blood even bas cemented the proud ia
brio of our Independence, that are them
selves left ia want and obscurity.'
sTrue,' said the old man, the de
cayed soldier whose strength was vast
ed in the conflict has but little for him
self to hope; bat | trust his posterit
es, will reap the harvest he has sown.
y" sYou have a son. said Mr.. Court
ney, worthy Of such harvest. Is th
the youth called Alvah your all |"
'AlI that survives Of large family
He alone, the child of my old age, hs
been spared to save me from public de
pendcnce.'
'Have yor been long deprived {
sightp asked Mr.. Courtney.
Only two years
Sand during that period have yo
had no resource but the labor Of yo,
s0n!'
sNone: but the wants Of a soldier al