Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-01-09

see his smiling face again."
e Mary Wordsworth said n~othing-but
!. tear started into her eye-and any casu
al observer would have seen at once thaI
n Edward Willis was dearer TO her than q
cousin or f~riend-and That she cherished
: ms memory in the very depths of hel
heart.
Just then old Bose, the house.doc. was
, heard to make some angry remonstranccs
10 a passing traveller, which attracted ut.
%tentlon, Inasmuch as it was by no means
an ordinary occurrence--ior Bose was a
well nurtured brute, and seldom accos.
ted a well-dressed, gentlemanly person.
age, IN a rude and angry manner, but he
entertained the prejudice against the VIC
TINS OF misfortune or intemperance, who
wear the garb of poverty, which is cher.
ished by nobler animals, who boast The
attributes Of reason. In truth, Bose, al.
though a faithful dog, was a real arislo-
crat IN his principles. The traveller, from
bis appearance, moved in the humblcst
rank Of Iife-and Bose evidently intended
to give him a reception corresponding
with his shabby appearance, and was al.
vancing towards him in a surly manner,
and with a t~ruculent look, when Deacon
Willis, who well knew the peculiartics Of
his dog, told his son James to 90 out and
protect the stranger from violence. ale
seems a sailor too" said he, " and on a
day like this, We should not refuse the
rites Of hospitality to the humblest being
who passes along the road. On Thanks
giving day, no individual, rich or poor,
sailor or landsman, should want for a
plentiful meal. Ask him in, my son."
continued the noble-hearted larmer-"and
let the poor wayfarer take a seat at our
board"
The stranger entered the parlor, and
room was made for him at the table,
But his appearance and manner were
strange, and he seemed as if he was III
disposed TO requite his kind host for the
hospitality he enjoyed. He did not even
raise his dilapidated hat from his head
and to the kind enquiries which were
made to him he scarcely made any reply
but as, ifovercome with fatigue, or agi.
tated by contending emotions, he threw
himself into the nearest chair, and cove
red his brow with his hands.
The wandering group witnessed his
conduct in silence. "Come now, my
good man," at length exclaimed Mrs.
Willis, in a kind, motherly tone, :" dare
say you are tired and hungry-take n
seat at the table and make yourself at
home. We like sailors-and would glad
ly do you a good turn, for the sake of one
who has long been absent. Don't cry,
Mary-you should learn to restrain your
feelings"
just then old Bose, who, when the sal.
Tor first came in sight, was disposed to
| regard him as an enemy, appeared to
have overcome his combative propcnsi-
ties, and much to the surprise of the chill.
dren, seemed suddenly to have conceived
the most lively attachment TO the " poor
straggler." He wagged his tail with un-
wonted energy, absolutely danced around
him, whined forth his JOY in the most ex-
prcssive manner, and continued the pan
iomime by jumping into his lap and at
tempting 10 lick his face.
The stranger hardly attempted to re-
pulse the affeciionate animal-but gently
patting his head, addressed him with the
endearing epithet Of "Poor old Bose
adding, +" you have not forgotten me-"
He then raised his hend, took his hand
from his forchead-remoyed his hat, and
brushed away the long and matted locks
which partly concealed his features. His
| voice seemed to have touched a chord in
the bosoms Of persons present, which had
long ceased to vibrate. The eyes Of Dea-
con Willis and his wife were turned upon
him in eager expectation. Mary Wards
worth started-lhe rose on her cheek gave
place to the lily-and her deep-seated and
pure love proved more quick-sighted than
even parental affection. She gazed up
on him with a look in which Joy and sur.
prise were blended-and met his glance,
which beamed with tenderness and rap
ture-expressing the fruItion of earthly
enjoyment. Her maidenly reserve was
conquered by her surprise and Joy at be-
holding before her, a dear n whom she
had long mourned os ever lost. 1t is
my cousin Edward! !" said she, and she
threw herself into his arms.
The scene which followed may be ina
nined, but cannot be described-nor shall
we attempt it. There was no longer any
alloy in The enjoyment o. that family-and
Deacon Willis, albeit, always noted for
his piety, never offered up q Thanksgiving
prayer with greater fervency and slnceri-
than on that occasion. Alter dinner was
over, Edward had a long tale to tell, ID
which his auditors listened with reaih-
less attention, of the perils and sufferipgs
he had experienced during the previous
three years.-The vessel in which he had
sailed for South America, had been sus.
pected Of carrying OH a contraband trade
and the crew were all condemned TO the