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

"Cer,alny, slr."
"And where :"
The boy pointed in silence to a decay
ed and miserable looking dwelling. Mr.
Courtney sighed. A keen November
blast, which at the moment whistled
around him, told him the inadequacy of
such shelter.
"a soldier" he mentally exclaimed !;
"and perhaps his blood has been shed to
secure the rights of those who now reyel
in luxury"
A few hours afterwards he knocked at
the door of the shattered habitation. If
an interest i'll the father had been already
awakened by the son, it was at once con-
frmed by the appearance Of the old man
now before him. He had raised his head
slowly from his staff on which he was
leaning at the cncrancc of the stranger,
and discovered a countenancc where the
lines of sorrow and suffering were dis
tinctly traced.-SuIl there was something
in his high though furrowcd brow, that
told his affinity with the proud Alvah.
And the ravages Of infrmlty had not al
together robbed his wasted form of the
dignity of the soldier.
"Will you pardon the intrusion of a
stranger!" said Mr.. Courtney. IL have
been led hithcr merely to chat an hour
with revolutionary veteran"
"ilc who comes 10 cheer the solitude
of darkness must be welcome" said the
old man: and Mr.. Courtney now per-
celved that he was utterly blind. The
events of the revolution afforded an easy
clue TO conversation, and they chatted
without effort.
81 would" said Mr.. Courtney, "that
every one who assisted in our glorious
struggle, might individually share the
prosperity it has confirmed to our nation.
| fear, however, that there are many
whose blood has even cemented the proud
fabric of our independence, that are them
selves left in want and obscurity."
"True," said the old man; "thc de-
cayed soldier, whose strength was wasted
in the conflict, has but little for himself
at home. But trust his posterty will
reap the harvest he has sown."
"lou have a son." said Mr.. Courtney,
"worthy of such harvest. Is the youth
called Alvah, your all ~
"All that survives Of large family.
He alone, the child of my old age, has
been spared 10 save me from public de-
pendence."
"Havc you been long deprived of
sight!' asked Mr.. Courtney.
"Only two years"
"And during that period have you had
no resource but the labor OF your son -
"Nonc-but the wants of soldier are
few, and the ilial plety Of my body rem
ders him cheerful under every privation
that affects only himself. He labors in-
cessantly, and have no regret but that
Of seeing him thus fcttered to servitude.'
81 would" SAID Mr.. Courtney with
enthusiasm, 81 would could place him
in sphere more suited TO his worth.
With the advantages of education he
would become an ornament TO society.
But this under your peculiar circumstan-
ceS he cannot have even in an ordinary
degree"
"But for his taste for learning" said
the old soldier, she must have been Ut
terly destitute. There were hours, how
ever, when he could not labour; and as
these were invariably devoted to study,
he has gradually acquired its common
principles"
The entrance of Alyah himself inter-
rupted the conversation. He had brought
some little delicacies for his father, the
avails of his days labor.
II have Just been thinking" said Mr..
Courtney, "of making some arrange
ments, with the appreciation of your faith
err, for your future establishment. |
grievc to see a boy of promise thus losing
the spring-time of life"
"You forget, sir" said Alvah, respect
fully bowling, "that | can accept no pro-
posals that would separate me from my
father, however advantageous"
"Certainly not, in his present situation
but have friends here, who will readily
assist me in making a suitable provision
for his support, and you may then be put
to business that will secure you future
competence"
'Impossblc, sir. My father can have
no claims like those on his son. Ills
but short time since my weakness re-
CURED his support, and shall lnow trans
fer the duties of ilial gratitude to the hand
Of charity ~
Mr. Courtney knew not what to re-
ply.
"Do not think me ungrateiul for your
protlered kindness" continued the boy,
while his dark eyes swan in tears, and
every trace of pride suddenly gave place
TO the livelicst expression Of gratitude
-I"l feel most deeply your sollcitudc fol