The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-06-10
Youths Department,
TtIE ITNKNOWN BENEFACTOR.

man, wns.gomg again, saying, since the bontman was
not there, he would find another.
Il am the boatmun' said Roberts; where did you
wish TO go''
Il would be rowed round the hnrbor,' said the pas
senger so enjoy the fresh air of this fine evening;
but you have neither tho nor the air of
mariner
Il am no, mariner replied Roberts; and only
employ my time this way on holidays, to get
money
what are you avnrcious, ut your ager
'Ah! sir, said Roberts, 'if you knew my reason for
thus employing myself, you would not suspect me of
SO vice.
well, row me where have desired, and tell me
your reason
Il have only one, but that is dreadful one; my
father is in slavery =
an slavery y
'Yos, sir he was n broker in Marseles and with
the money which he and my mother, who is milli-
ner had in many years been able to purchas
ed part in vessel that traded to Smyrna. His desire
to enrich and make his children and his family happy
WIS so strong that he would go in the ship HIMSELF
to dispose Of his property TO the best advantage They
were met and attacked by corsair; and my father,
among the rest, was carried slave to Toutan. His
ransom is thousand crowns; but as he had eXhaus-
ted almost his whole wealth in that unfortunate adj
venture, very far from possessing such a sum.
My mother and sisters work hard day and night and
do the same. / am an apprentice to II jeweer; and
endeavor, to profit as you see, likewise by the
holidays, when my masters shop is shut. nten-
ded 10 have gone and freed my father, by exchanging
myself for him; and was just about putting my pro-
icct into execution, when my mother coming TO the
knowledge Of it,assured me it npracticable and
dangerous and forbade all the Levun captains TO take
me board
'And do you ever receive from your father?
Do you know who is his master at Icutan, and what
treatment he meets with 2
Ills master is intendant the kings gardens he
is treated with humanity, and his labor is beyond
his strength as he writes; but alas where are the
comforts he used to find in tho society of his dear
wife and three beloved children p
what name does he go by at Teutan p
Ills name is Roberts; Cor he has reason to be
ashamed OF it,
Roberts; and his master in,ondant the kings
gardens7'
yes, SIR
4 am affected by your misfortune and find your
sentiments noble and virtuous that think dare
predict happier fate 10 you hereafter, and
you wish you all the happiness you deserve; at
present am little thoughtful, and hope you will
not think me proud, because I inclined to be
silent. would not be thought proud to such men as
YOU
When it was dark the passenger desired to be row.
ed to the shores ard as he stepped out of the boat he
threw purse into it, and ran off with precipitation
The purse contained eight double louis d'ors and ten
crowns in silver. This generosity made the most
lively impression upon Roberts; and it was with grief
he behe!d him run so swiftly, without staying to
ceve his thanks. Encouraged by this assistance, the
vruous family Of Roberts redoubled their efforts
relieve their common parent and almost denied them
selves suiiciency Of the most ordinary food
Six weeks AFTER as the mother and the two daugh-
tiers sitting at dinner few chesnuts, and
bread and water, they Roberts The father enter.
Imagine their joy their Transports their asonishment!
Tho good old threw himself into their arms, and
thanked and kissed them thousand times for the
fifty guineas which no had received after the purchase
Of his reedom for the payment of his passage in the
vessel, for tho clothes they had him. and for all
the exactness and they had taken in everything
relating to his release and safe return; he knew not
how to repay so much love- The mother and daugh-
teTS WIFI ln1nlOVaDc surprise nj
each other; at last the mother broke silence Her
had done it all, she said though she knew not by
what means; and related how from the first moment
Of his slavery, young Roberts would had she not
prevented him have gone and taken his fathers place;
how the family had in the house about five hundred
crowns towards his ransom, which had most Of it
been earned by the lahOrs fyoung Roberts,&c The
father on hearing this account, instantly seized
with most painful suspicion that his son had taken
some dishonest method to release him; he could no
why way account for it; he sent for his sou.
unhappy young man = said he, 'what hast thou
donef Wouldst thou have owe my deliverance
to crimes and dishonor? Thou wouIdst not have
kept thy proceedings secret from thy mother, had
they been upright; trembe to think that SO vrtuous
an affection as parental love should render thee gull
ty.' .....
tBe calm, my father = answered the young man /;
your son is not unworthy of you; nor is he happy
enough to have procured your delvernnce, and to
prove to him how dear father is no, it is not me.
it is, it must be benefaetor whom I met in NV
boat he, my mother, who gave his purse; III
search through the world but that I'll find him.