The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-12-09
From tAs EalabaIg Literary Journa
The soldiers Return.


The following beautiful instance OF hllal
affection, deserves to b. handed down TO the
latest generations Some travellers from
Glasgow were obliged TO stop at the small
burgh Of Lanark, aud having nothing better
TO engage our attention, said one OF them,
we amused ourselves BY looklp- al the pas.
sengers from the window OF our Inn, which
was opposite the prison. Whlls, We we're
thus occupied, a gentleman came upon horse.
back, yery plainly dressed, attended by
servant. He had scarcely passed our aln-
dow, when be aIghIed, left his horse, and
advanced towards an old man who was en-
gagged 10 paving the streets.
After having saIuted hlm, be took hold OF
the hammer, struck s0me blows On the pave.
ment, at the same time addressing The old
man, sho STOOD amazed at the adventure
-" This work seems TO be verv painful for
person OF your age have you no sons who
could share IN your labor, and comfort your
old age" Forgive me sir, have three
lads who inspired me with the brightest
hopes, but the moor fellows are not no~ with.
IA reach 10 ASSIST their father Z" W here
are ,hey then ? "The oldest has obtained
the rank of captain 10 India IN the service
Of the Honorable Company. The second
mas llkeslse enlisted 10 the hope OF fiyallng
hls brother" The old man paused, and
momentary tear tedImmsd his eve. "And
pray, what has become Il the third 7" {" \.
las he became a security for the the poor
boy engaged TO pay my debts, beng unable
10 fulfil the undertaking, he ls-in PRISON. >
At this recital the gentleman stepped aside
i,w PAGES, and covered ms ace win MS
hands. Alter having thus gwen vent To his
feeling, be returned to the old man and re.
sumed discourse. And has the oldest
this degenerate snn-thls capian-neyer
: sent YOU any thing to eStrIcate yuu from
YOUR mlseres " Alb call him not degen.
crate nv son Is ylrtuous; he both love, and
respects his fa,her.-He has oiteuer than
once sent me money, even more than what
was sufficient for my wants; but | had the
misfortune to loose II by becoming security
/ for very worthy man, my landlord, whc
' was burdened with a very large family. Tn
fortunately, finding himself bic 10 pay, he
) has caused my ruin. They have taken my
!. all, and nothing now remains for me-" A
this moment, young man, passing bis heac
. through the iron gratln- S OF window 10 the
prison, began 10 cry, Father Father i
nv brother William IS alive that IS be- be
Is the gentleman who speaks with you. -
Yes, my friend it is he, replied the gen
] tleman, throwing himself into the old man:
arms, who like one beside himself, attempt
ing to speak, and sobbing, had not recovered
his senses, when an old woman, decenil1
dressed, rushed from a poor looking hui
crylng, "where is be then where art thou
N my dear William Come to ire, come an
a embrace your MOTHER The captain n
sooner observed her, than he quilted his "a
lher, and went to throw himself upon III
n neck Of the good old dame.
4 The scene vas now overpowerlng tn
= travellers left their room, and increased til
number Of spectators, witnesses Of this mo.
lie aft citing sight. MIR. Wilson, one Of III
90 travellers made way through the crowd, an
p. advancing TO the gentleman, thus address
- ed him "CaptaIn, we ask the honor
your acquaintance; /; Is impossible TO eJ
IS. press the pleasure we have had IN belu
np witnesses Of this tender meeting with yot
lie, family, we request the favor Of you and you
to dinner IN the Inn" The Captain, all,
to the invitation accepted II with polItenes'
but a, the same time replied, that be Won
neither ca, nor drink until his younge
brother had recovered his liberty. At Il
same instant he deposited the sum for Win
he had been iucarcerated, and in We
shor, time after hrs brother joined the pa
{. 'ty. Tie ahectlonate " .llam IN the mic