Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-09-22

old friend Looking earnestly at hrs counte
nance. I felt persuaded that tbs must be my
old school fellow stepped up 10 him, beg
0ed his par,on for the liberty was about to
take. apdasked him IL bis name was not----;;
Ia which he answered IN the affirmative, and
then with ioy exclaimed, ''My name iS- -.
At this, old recoieciions revived; hand
squeezed hand, and affection met affection;
our pulses beat IN UNISON with each other;
and the words, 81 am glad to see you" were
frequently exchanged between US. Oar con
vcrsation turned on the days of our youth:
but before we had long convcfsed together,
nv friend very seriously said, 81 have some
thing to mention to you, which, IN the reflec-
tive moments Of my past life has always been
10 me a source OF sorrow. If you will 10
form me where you live, | will call upon Jou
to morrow, and then we will talk about our
youthful days and adventures"
Ga the day following, my friend paid me
his promised visit, and after c0nverslng on
several subjects OF pleasursbie sort, he
communicated to me the cause OF las sorrow.
"Abom thirty four years since" said he, "Mr
-, the son Of cay master, coming 10 see
his parents, we agreed to smuse ourselves in
trying to shoot Returning home in the eve
ming, disappointed in our expectations, as
| four Or five ducks little above it. belonging
to your father; and in my foollshness ex-
! claimed, Here's fine shot; and immediate
/ " fired at them, aud killed two We then
proceeded home and related the circun-
| stance TO the gentleman and his lady, who
| interrogated US respecting the ducks which
| | had shot To which | answered, 'We
I have left them dead in the water, little a
| bove the bridge was strictly charged, as
| soon as il was sufficiently dark, TO 20 and
| fetch them. ] did so, and was ordered to
| take them up into the garnet, where they
were dressed; and on the following Sabbath,
| after returning from church, we all dincd On
/ them, enjoying ourselves at the expense OF a
| poor industrious man. On this subject |
have often serrowfuily reflected; and fire.
quently purposed, aud wished for an oppor-
| tuulty, 10 make restitution: bat never before
nov was SO highly favoured; and viii
most assuredly perform what have so re-
peatedly determined" To this / replied,
"1he statement you have made brings to my
recollection the loss of the ducks; and your
! frank acknowledgment Of the truth, eoB
| slider an ample restitution for the injury my
father sustained byyourj Juvenile indiscretion y
! lie added, II shah not feel comfortable, un-
! less make restitution" I said, " Ny father
and mother are dead -" lie replied, Il VIII
give the money TO you, as feel it is my du-
ty;" presenting me with note, thus inscrb-
ed, "NaIne OF the ducks, and thirty two
years compound interest, i3s 4d." which
sum he paid down, rejoicing that be had an
opportunity OF relieving his mind II IS TIVE
wears since this was done The subject has
not been forgotten; and the fact is now
made public, that others who have acted In
similar way. may ''go and do likewise" The
principles Of strict justice between man anc
man ought to be sacredly maintained; and i
in any instance they have been violated, res
tiuuon ought to be conscientiously made
The lapse Of years can never cancel that OBJ
, legation.