Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-10-31

TIE WISH.

On the bank Of the Arno, where that
river discharges itself into the Medi.
terranean, dwelt Filippo, n peasant Of
Tuscany. He was married, and the
father Of young an 1 numerous family,
who were dependant on his labor for
subsistence. His utmost efforts were
scarcely sufficient for the supply Of
their daily increasing wants ; but a
strong constitution and q cheerful tenn.
per enabled him TO bear up under nre
sent exigrDcies, and TO cherish a hone
Of better times.
lie had but one s'.biect of sorrow |;
and this, although arising from Iegi-
innate source, yet. INDUCED beyond due
bounds. caused him necessarily TO mur-
mur against that Providence which,
with u hand seemingly partial, so une.
qualify distributes this worlds wealth.
lie had an eyed father. " hose ia iirmi,ies
threatened soon to disable him for the
constant labor to which his necrssitits
doomed him, aud whom F.lipro was
unable essentially 70 relieve. His sole
wish 1as to have the ability to place
his father Ia a situation Of moderate
comfort Tor the remainder ofhis days.
They pursued their daily occupations
in company; and when Filippo parted
from has father one evening, and saw
him totter home TO his cabin, his heart
was oppressed with grief, aud he groan
cd forth q prayer that some power in
heaven Or earth would favor his pious
wishes.
He stood upon the shore; and ss the
stars twinkied shove the seq, and we're
red. e,ed like diamonds on its surface,
he thought of the vast treasures Of the
deep. Ut the untold gold Of the ship.
wrecked mariner, Of the uDexplored
beds Of pearl, and sighed for small
portion Of these useless riches to glad
den the heart of his aged parent. ~
covet no mans goods." said he: 81
wish not even to diminish the luxury
OF the great, much leSs to appropriate
the honest gains Of industry let me
bat draw from the depths Of the ocean
that which would never else behold
the sun. and, far from de, citing even
the smallest PARTON Of il to my own
urgent wants, I would bestow it exclu-
siVely where the most unquestionable
duty dictates"
Deeply engaged with these reflee-
tons, he returned home. The welcome
OF his vile, the caresses Of his children,
were unsbls TO dissipate them; and even
when he should have given his body to
rePose, his mind continued TO pursue
the train Of thought by which it had
been occupied during the day.
Tie found himself again standing on
the beach. The stars looked bsighter
and the sea more sparkling. Night
had set in. No ship appeared upon
The sleeping waters, nor was any ob
jeet ia sight save a small speck, which,
first showing itself upon The edge Of
horizon, rapidly approached hin, and
he soon diseeTned very small boat,
rowed by single person, and that sp-
parentiy a man advanced in years. -
Tie was struck 81 Once With the belief
that this was a supernatural appear
aBce, a. a boat Of such diminutive size
could not be supposed 10 live on chs
wide expanse ola sea which II had JUS
traveTsedj but, With that courage peeu
liar TO one deeply intent on a partieu
lar purpose, he felt no sense Of shrink
Jog from this singular apparitIen, mo-
from the solitsry bOsIman, who, viii
the look Of robust sge, bent to HE GERS
until he mO0red hIs little bark up0I
the strand.
FIlippo approached without hesitation
and stood still until the boat rested =
his feet. The strangeF raised he head
and surveying him 9Th something o
kind interest, said IN q voies that s0uRt
ed iu his ear like = fne toned instFu
ment. - Filippo. y0or pious wish
heard, and an seat by one Wh0 love
yes To Sork its falfilment."
And can Il be-" replied the peas