Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-12-26

him one feeling Of regret, had it not been for Mr..
Merton and Helen; but however dear they were
to him, he resolved to leave them. He left, too,
without informing Mr.. Merton, for he well knew
he would insist on his staying, and he would not
be the author OF discord in that family, were dwet
the only two on earth that he could call his
friends.
/ 1t was near the close Of summer day that a
steamboat touched the wharf Of one Of our South
ern cities, and from its crowded decks poured a
stream of weary travellers, eager once again to
set foot upon the land. Among the last who
stepped on shore was a tall youth, with valse in
| his hand, who walked slowly from the landing,
bent his way toward the shipping warehouses along
the wharves: He was in search Of employment
but alas he was stranger and had no recemmen.
dations. With detected mein, and sorrow(ul
step, he was about giving up all hopes when he
came to a large warehouse which he had not be-
fore entered He walked in the counting house,
where sat gentleman apparently about forty
years of age. To the youths inquiry whether he
was the head Of the establishment be replied in
the affirmative.
what do you wish my lad!' he inquired.
DO you want lad to assist in your store?
have no recommendation to offer you, SIR he con-
tinued modestly. 4 have just arrived the steam
boat from the north, and have neither friends nor
money cannot even buy lodging for the
night and seeing that the merchant loked incre-
duously at him, he could contain himself no Ion.
ger, but said imploringly, oh sir, do not refuse,
and the tears trickled down his cheeks.
The merchant touched by his grief, and convin-
ced by the openness Of his manner, hesitated a
moment, and finally took him to his house. A
few days proved the truth Of the youths story,
and he was employed at once by his new benelac-
tor In the course Of time he rose by degrees
until he became head clerk in the establishment
Of Mr.. Thompson. He also by his amiableness
became the favorite Of the wealthy family of the
employer, with whom he still resided. All loved
him, and he loved them in return as father, moth
err and sister. For although Charles, (for it was
Charles Elliston,) thought that Emma Thompson
was almost as beautiful as his own Helen, yet he
remained faithful to the latter, and could but think
tof the former as a sister.
Five years had rolled by, and he had now be-
come proprietor OF the large establishment which
he had entered as an errand boy, Mr.. Thompson
having retired from business. One evening he
was sitting in familiar conversation with the lami-
ly, when Mrs. Thompson. after looking steadfast-
ly at Charles for some time, remarked how much
Emma and he resembled each other.
Yes said her husband, 4 h ave often observed
il; they look as much alike as though they were
really brother and sister. Our lost Charles-poor
little fellow!-could not have been more like
Emma
Your Charles? never knew you ever had any
child beside Emma, said he, when did he die!
Would to God he had died!' exclaimed Mrs.
Thompson, then would have known he was in
heaven; but now, perhaps, if he is still alive he
may be buffeed about by strangers, whose hard
hearts can seldom feel like parents, and then she
gave vent to her feelings in tears.
HE was lost, then?' asked Charles.
'Yes,' said Mr.. Thompson, above seventeen
years ago, and Mary, ourneyins north for the
benefit OF our healths, and to visit some friends in
N. York city, we took with us our little Charles,
who was scarcely four years old, and then our
only child. We arrived there in safety, and after
staying with our friends some time, set out on our
return home. Anxious to prosecute our journey,
we Immediately on our arrival in Philadel phia,
took the steamboat to proceed Immediately on.
went TO see to the safety Of the baggage, thinking
that my Mary and Charles were in the cabin; bu
what was my surprise, when on going into the
cabn some time after the boat had left the wharf
to find Mary there alone. She thought had
Charles with me, and she swooned away when
informed her had not. We searched the boa
over, but no Charles could be found, and then il
struck us, that he might have wandered on shore
before the boat left the wharf, and consequently
was left behind. How narrowing were oui
thoughts! to think that every minute the distance
was increasing be tween us and and our dearly be
loved child. But there was thought still more
; distressing-perhaps he had fallen overheard I'M
seen, and been drowned. However, determined
on arriving at New Orleans, and leaving Mary
with her friends and relations to return again t
Philadelp hia and spare no pains nor expense il
trying to discover his late but the great mental ex
, element and bodily fatigue had undergone
= threw me into levor on the way, and it was sew
y eral months before | recovered. When | did
" and arrived in Philadelphia no trace could be dis
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