The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-07-16


paid him. If the cup of allliction is ever
yours, may some spirit gentle as your
own, temper its bitterness some being,
bright and lovely as yourself, hover
around your pillow"
Isabel could not reply her party had
now halted, and she rejoincd them.
The young stranger uttered a stihcd
farewell, and striking into another path,
disappeared.
On her return, the subducd Isabel was
pressed to the bosom of her father. Ii
any thing at this moment could have Civ
en- her pleasure, 1t was his arrival, as she
was anxious to leave a spot that was now
utterly devoid of interest. The light
adieus Of ceremony were easily conclud-
ed, and early the following morning she
was equipped for departure.
As her father handed her into the car
rlage, he stopped to speak to an acquaint-
ance, while young man, who was pass
ing at the moment, suddenly paused, and
passed, and clasping his hands, excaim-
ed: "Nlr. Courtney, my beneGactor."
81 do not understand you, SIR" said
the astonished Courtney; 81 know of
no one who can give me SO lauering a
title"
"Ah ~ said the young man, whose
countenance and voice were but too lami-
liar to the trembling Isabel, sam then so
changed? am Alvah Hamilton, the sol
dcr's son, whom seven years ago you
rescued from poverty"
Mr.. Courtney pressed his hand with
emotion. "You mean would have res
cued but for his intolerablc pride"
"Ah, sir, evasion is unnecessary. We
could not mistake the hand that relieved
us. Have You then no interest in hear
ing-will you not suffer me to tell you,
what has been the effect Of your boun-
W"
Il shall gladly listen to aught in which
you are concerned" said Mr.. Courtney.
"Two days after you left us, my father
was removed to a more comfortable dwell
ling, and was entered at school could
yet attend to the personal wants of my
father, and, melted to eXerton by every
claim of gratitude and duty, could but
progress IN my studies. ] was soon
ready pCnman and accountant; and year
afterwards was received into a wealthy
mercantile house as a clerk Ny wages
enabled me to make immediate provision
for my father, and they were yearly aug
mchtcd. And now" he added, in a sub
ducd tone, "since he is called to receive
far higher wealth than that of earth, my
first oXeriion will be to discharge the pc
cunary part Of my obligation, which has
so greatly influenced my present dest-
NY"
"Thc obligation you speak of does not
exist" said Mr.. Courtney. "An ample
equivalent was at once received in the
pleasure of assisting INDECENT virtue. Do
not, then, wound my feelings by 50 I'M
just an allusion--but tell me, is your We
nerable father no more ~
Alyah briefly sketchCd the late events,
and Mr.. Courtney now shook him warm
~ by the hand.
Farewell, dear Alvah, my carriage has
been sometime waiting; believe me that
rejoice in your prosperity, and remem-
Der that you may always command my
friendship"
Alvah looked wishfully after him rs he
departed but the form Of Isabel was not
visible. She had shrunk back in the car
rage at his approach, and had thus csCap-
ed observation. From her father, who
was himself too much excited 10 notice
the agitation of his child, she now heard
description of his first knowledge OF Al
yah Hamilton. She made no comment,
but every word was treasured up in her
heart; and though years passed away
without single event to recall his memo
ry, every vision Of her fancy, every idea
Of moral excellence, in the imagination
Of Isabel, was identified with his image.