Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-05-24

field, the barns and the house, which looked
trim and tidy in new coat Of white.
Mrs. Damer stood for moment bewilder-
ed as she opened the door. The stranger
spoke not. A pair Of large black eyes we're
fixed upon her intensely and earnestly, with
a half pleased expression as he perused each
feature of that benevolent countenance.
His hands we're clasped, and he bent slight.
ly forward--but a moment he turned away
and brushed tear from his eye, but still was
silent. There was something in that turn,
that look, which started the chat, of memory
in tho heart of Mr.. Damer, The mother
awoke in her heart, and stihed shrek burst
from her lips.
rs it--no!- ii, cannot be-yes it is my
son George
your own son, my mother-it is your son
George Damer y and the grateful mother
clasped to her heart her beloved and long
lost child
Mary had heard the exclamation, and
stopping in the entry, stood trembling hop
ing and fearing, as she saw the stranger 10
her mothers arms.
But oh with what 10y, with what pride
did she lock on him With what rapture did
she, too fly, to his arms, when she indeed
found it was her brother
MY own sister-sweet sister!' said he
kissing her, again and again, then holding
her of to look into her beautiful face-ior
Mary was the pride of the whole village
then embracing her again, till they both
laughed and cried together in ecs,acy of that
unhought of meeting.
| remember well the little girl with the
apple pie, when was terribly whipped and
shall never forget IT, said he, when he could
get breath enough to say so mucn, fer his
| mother still chung TO his neck, silen, in her
, tears of gratitude and Joy.
, Dear brother! was all Mary could utter
, as she looked through her tears, with sis
,er's pride on her new found relative.
Two stout farmers came up from the out
side wondering what all this fuss could mean,
but when Mary cried out catching her breath
in the wildness Of her joy-''Tis George
It's brother George!' they came in and shook
him by the hand till the tears glistened in
their eyes and they turned away to hide
them.
But the father-oh how could he greet
the boy whom his cruelty had driven from the
door and who had came back man-an
honorable and great mani He tried to steal
from the back door, pale and trembling, bu,
his wife stopped him. 'Tis our son George,
r said she, and she led hin, forward like child
to the noble and injured youth. 1t was the
day of retribution seventeen years to an
hour had gone by since he had stood with a
;; whip over that brave boy, and beat him ill,
l,or l,n 4 r.
bic reason on earth 1t is plain what thoughts
: were working in the heart of the man, for he
, stood like craven coward before his son
. George was the first to speak my father !!
said he, extending his hand, but the old man
drew back andbrushed tear from his shrunk.
en- check. The fierce passions of his noon.
day man had faded in age-the waters OF
repentance were flooding his soul. lie talk
ed as if to himself.
This hand drove my boy hence-l al.
most murdered him-no, no, I cannot touch
him again. there's curse in this right hand!
u My father J said the young man, draw
ing close to him, and again offering his hand
=, No, no said the old man starting up
u not till you have forgiven me that-tha,'-
and his voice came thick through his teeth
that horse vhpping.'
e Now, and forever, and ever thank yol
: for it my father, for that helped 10 make M,
: what am know l did not deserve il.
d was innocent; but instead of crushing anc
d humbling me, II raised me in my own opinion
= 1t awoke new thoughts and energies in my
u heart; and hence left home to try my for
u tunes in the great world. Twas but chile
II then bn, worked my way along- in char
IS iiy school 6rs-,hen in lawyers offic,
d where procured copying enoug h for main
u tainance. Here studied as well as work
If ed and my master found me one night
a very late, hard at work over a treatise. Sur
4 prised, he examined my progress still NOR,
S asionised, he invited me 10 become his pupil
o That was golden era TO me. Half Graz,
d with joy, threw myself on my knees befor,
Il him and wept Years went by, and ais,
d became lawyer. The first cause | pleaded
y won me applansc-admiralion Then fol
e lowed business rnpidly and surely, and sub
!, sequenily became my masters partner II
n business by his urgent solicitations. On.
a year since, WAS solicited to become a mem
Der of congress which !, Of course, accepted
q and now | have come home to see you once
Z more-tathcr =
o The old man was ,oeeping; the boy
: prophecy was fulfilled. Indeed was he sor
= ry; and as The son again stood before hin
$ in the pride of manly beauty and strength,
@ he bowed his face on his hands and wep
d like child.
o FALSE ESTIMATES.