Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-09-11

test, Here old man. said he, offering
him piece of money, Il will exchange
this for your blessing
'May God bless you, child,' said the
poor man, raising his hands in a supplica-
ting manner towards heaven, q do moi
want it; but will you tell me your name, fol
some Invisible power seems to whisper
that | ought to know something of you.'
| 'My name is Croghan, he answered
looking inquisitively.
'CIoghanr echoed the old man with
emphasis. starting at the same time as II
reused BY the electric spark, did you
say Croghan"
yes" replied the boy, with look of
establishment, what can you know Of me?'
"Will you turn up the sleeve of your
coat over your left arm?'
He again scrutinized the old mans
countenance, but seeing in it nothing cal
culated to cause apprehension, hesitating-
y complied.
'Heavensp exclaimed the poor man,
advancing to clasp the boy in his arms, sit
is indeed my lost son.
Iyour son!' cried he, retrcating in a
mazement beyond his reach, my father
has been long dead
mo, my dear boy, you behold in me
that same wretched father whom you be-
lieve to have been lost, and who never
expected to see you again; but where is
your mother?'
sShe is dead too
The old man whose eyes had been suf-
fused in tears. on meeting his lost child,
here gave them vent; and as they fell, Joy
and grief both grappled for the prize.
with whom do you live? he resumed.
as he wiped away the trace of the briny
moisture.
my uncle.'
Your fathers brothers?
'Yes.'
Lead me to him quickly, my son, and
| shall soon relieve your doubts
The boy reluctantly obeyed, muttering
to himself with a sympathetic shake Of
the head, as he turned to conduct him to
the place: poor man, he has certainly
lost his reason
Having led him to the door-'This,
said he, SIS my uncle's house, and if you
will stop here moment, ri see if he is
|in,' and on entering, he told him that
there was "A man at the door who stated
himself to be his brother, and expressed
a particular desire TO see him.
sWhat! my brother! never had bro
Their but your father, and he must be dead.
'Sir, he asserts that he is the same, tho
| have endeavored to convince him to the
contrary"
Bring him in at all events
He accordingly obeyed, when, survey
ing each other for moment, they instant.
ly calculated, my God! my brother!'
and were instantly clasped in each others
arms.
'Why,' said the uncle, when he had
sufficiently recovered his surprise to be
able to speak, Il had given up the hope Of
ever seeing you again. after so long an
absence, where have you been, or what
under heaven has caused you to separate
from your wife and child?
"Msfortune alone was the cause of our
separations; for as we were proceeding a
long the Ohio on our way to this city,
our boat during dreadful thunder storm
was sunk by a stroke Of lightning, which
so stunned me that | was quite uncon'
scious of every thing, until finding my
self in the water, swan for the shore,
but the strength of the current together
with the extreme darkness Of the night
and my own alarm, prevented my being
able to gainit till was carrieda consider.
able distance of, when calling as loud as
my exhaustion would permit and reeeiv
ing no answer, concluded that all but
myself had persisted; and not until next
morning did observe that, in trying to
find the place where the boat was struck
! turned in the wrong direction, and was
instead of approaching it, only going ev
cry step further from it; but when day
light enabled me to discover my error
nothing was seen but a dreary soltude.--
How this boy escaped or what became o.
his mother, ! know not; but since tina
time lbave been an inhabitant of the for
est, for as ! was endeavoring to make my
way to some settlement | fell in with :
party of Indians, one of whom was rails
ing his'arrow to his eye, was about tt
pierce me through, when another knock
ing up his arm as he let go the impatien
string, ran forwards and reaching out hi
hand told me, as afterwards understood
that he would adopt me as his yduk,n, oil