The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-09-03

among them. Let that pass.
! The object of Henry's journey was mad
known, and he found, to his great disappoint
nent, that to accomplish it, it was necessar,
to start Immediately for London. Havin.
written his wife land receiving further ins,ruc
tons from his employers, he embarked in tn,
next packet for that great city the metropolis
of the world.
This voyage was long, tedious, and some
what dangerous, yet the prospects held on
10 him were so flattering, and the pictured
dreams Of the future so pleasing, that he
complained not, though his suflerings were
great He arrived in London. What sigh,
bursts upon his view-the pent-up world Of
men looked indeed all that he had read of it.
His business detained him some time, and he
once more returned to the West Indies, and
was received with additional interest by hi.
employers, who satisfied with his business
habits, made him their agent in Philadelphia
there to reside permanently. With isht-
ened heart, and mind at ease, he sprane
upon the deck Of homeward bound vessel.
and again braved the stormy pillows for
| those he loved.
1t was on the 25th of March, 1876, when
the noble vessel entered the Canes ofDela-
ware, and as the distant steeples of his na-
tive city met his enraptured sight busy fam
cy pictured his future prospects with his be-
loved wife in her brightest colors. The
barque now glided gently up 10 the wharf.
crowds ofpeople, more or less interested, land
idlers had now collected TO witness the arr-
val into port. Henry cast his eyes among
the molly groupes, but not feature could he
distinguish. How time changes the human
iace-how il loves TO scratch the crow-loot
tracks OF the DID, and with peach ripe hue
paint those Of the young-the gay-lhe
blooming; but alas! its love Cor them is but
short, for when he passes in his careless
round, he leaves wrinkle on every brow.
There was one form however upon which
his eyes rested, that Sc, med 10 have sort o!
fascination about ii. There was the outline
of man familiar to him, but the filing up
was new, the features were swolcn-bloatcd
with liquor-his eyes blood-shot and wan
dering.
IT'S my iather-but oh how ciiangedr
Scarcely had he uttered these words be-
fore q rope which had been thrown upon the
wharf passed the unfortunate old man, and
although but Il touch, ii hurled the victim of
intemperance into the current; cry ofhor-
ror ran through the crowd, which was how
ever quickly subdued by Witnessing the he
roic act Of Henry, who sprang from the deck
OF the vessel into the river, and succeeded in
rescuing the unfortunate man from iame-
diate death. He had him conveyed TO a
public house, and by the use of proper appIi
cations he was restored to life and conscious
ness. As he opened his eyes they rested
on his son-his preserver-a shudder, like
that Of death, passed over his frame, and for
n ho eh,IoJ l..
bling hands, as if TO keep out of sight the
form orone he had so deeply wrongcd.
Gradually, however, he recovered degree
Of seli-possession.
My son, you are avenged. have made
no will--you are my only chid-my heir
it is not all gone-not all gone yet-pardon
your father, boy-pardon him ere he dies
Oh! father, don't say die-there are many
years ofhappiness for you yet-say not die
NO. no, my son, my days-nay my hours
are numbered-do you forgive me q
Forgive you'll have long since forgiven
you.'
A change now came over the wretched
man, his features seemed 10 contract-his
swollen cheeks sunk-his eyes grew classy
and the lippaled at the approach of death
there was struggle-a hcaving OF the
breast--a contortion of the muscle of the
hands-a stiffening of the limbs-it was
death, spider-like, enmeshing its victim
On the following morning. Henry paid the
last sad tribute TO his fathers memory, by
shedding tears over his grave. Tears are
holy gifts.
The reader must not suppose that during
this fine, Henry was neglecting those who
were as dear and near to him as the object
of his present solicitude on the contrary, he
called at the house of Mrs. Snyder, and found
that that good lady had paid the debt Of ma
ture, leaving all others unpaid. None knew
her family, nor could he obtain any traces OF
his wife. Almost distracted, he determined
to advertise his arrival in the papers, think
ing thereby 10 convey 10 his wife the fact Of
his being in the city. In passin,, through an
obscure street.-the was startled by the scream
ola woman; turning suddenly around TO
ascertain the cause, he perceived a small boy
attempting TO get up from where he had ial-
len, and to avoid the approach of a carriage,
with its two melted steeds, which were dash |
ing furiously up the narrow street. FOL
spring forward and snatch the boy from i'm |
pending danger was the work OF but an in |
slant; a door of small house being opened
he took the child in, whose screams at the
sight of a stranger soon brought the mother
down. Mrs. Jones, who had the child in
charge, had tainted in the street, and was
just at that moment led in by one Of The
neighbors. Her Joy upon seeing the infant
was unbounded, and she poured her thanks |
upon Henry, who to avoid them turned TO the
mother, 10 whom he addressed a few words |
of coincidence and satisfaction that he was
the instrument ofpreserving her sons life.
But she was so taken up with her child that /
his words fell soundess on her ear, till con-
scious ofthe improperly Of her conduct,
when she raised her dark sparkling eyes to
him, when 4 wild exclamation ofJoy escaped
her, and in the next moment, to the aston
ishment OF Mrs. Jones, she was in the arms
of-her husband!
We will not attempt the mixing oil scene
like this.
Henry upon the examination oil his iath-
er's affairs, found that out ola princely for
une there was left the old family mansion,
and about twenty-five thousand dollars;
sufficient however, as he said, to render his
title family happy, no, forgetting the kind
Mrs. Jones.
Having now disposed Of the few charac,
ers in this little drama of real life, we would
n conclusion wish 10 make one remark by
4 u