Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-11-24


very genteel, middle aged, but very feeble man
Mr.. McFrarae and Mr. Overton" said Ora
ham, as he supported towards them the invalid
"you cannot have forgotten our old acquaintance
Henry Holcombe 2" Henry Holcomber' ejac
ulated the whole company, with mingled Joy and
regret; as this Henry Holcombea" crowding
round him, as they all rather unanimously enter
| ed the house
"This is our still gentle Henry continued Ora
ham; something the worse in his timbers, it is
true-this is Mrs Holcombe and this" seizing
the eager boy in his arms and holding him tow
ards Mrs. Swansey, ais Charles Holcombe"
"And who am Ia' exclaimed the newly arriv-
ed Captain, with most good natured laugh
| Here all eyes were turned on the Captain and
| before them stood man about forty-fve years of
age, in height rather above the middle size with
frame between that of Hercules and an Apol-
10. His dress ard language evinced his profession
| and his appearance exhibited most advantage
Gus representation of the American sailor.
| g My friends" replied Graham, most impressive
! ly, here is the man who has, under Heaven, re-
stored us to each othern-but rather abruptly
checking himself addressed the Captain, saying,
this - my long lost wife, this my son, and this
| nay daughter. This is the now venerable Thorn
| as McFrame, that his daughter. Here let me
make you acquainted with Mr.. Solomon Overton
and Mrs. Overflow and their son and two daugh-
| ters." And thus the various members of the par
/ y
of the sailor, who seemed as if his piercing eye
sought some particular face but with evident pain
| and uncertainty.
"Come," said Graham, "as you and your COM
pany must need some rest and refreshment. let us
compose ourselves. i was Just opening a little
| history OF the wanderings of William Swansey,
alias, your friend Simon Graham, when you ar
rived; If you are not too much fatigued to hear a
long story, it shall be resumed as soon as you have
taken some restoratives" In about an hour, all
were again reseating themselves to hear the prom
ised tale but as they sitting down, the sail
| or anxlously whispered to Graham, Which is
her" "Poh!' replied Graham, Captain you
were always little too impatient for time'-and
the Captain with smiling resignation, seated him.
| self beside Mr.. McFrame and Mrs. Overton.
"You may remember, my dear Maria" resum-
! ed Graham, :" that when were children nv inn
patience and violence of temper made troub-
lesome playmate; and age advanced, these de-
tects became more inveterate Losing my moth
er in infancy, and having neither mother nor sis
ter, Maria Wallace seemed to me the latter Left
| almost annohced by my father, little Maria was
really my most effective moral instructor. Iwell
| remember when mere boy, my heart involun-
tarily asked mellow will Maria behave should
do so? OF, what will Maria say when she knows
what have done But, alas! even this monitor
was then taken from me--she was sent to Bethle-
hem, and myself to country school. Years
saw my sister, as / fondly called and considered
my cousin.
AT school amongst many others, formed three
acquaintance, which | now mention from the in
huence they had on my future state. All of these
Mr. McFrame and Mr.. Overton knew. Henry
Holcombe was slender in frame, firm, but mild,
and younger than myself Thomas Sharpe, was
one or two years my senior, and in person and
temper the very reverse of Henry Holcombe-
Dark gloomy, and yet fierce, with the most
daunted courage. and very uncommon personal
strength. Sharpe seemed created for the tyrant,
and Holcombe for the victim, and such soon be-
came the relation between them The sufferings
of the one and the infections of the other, how
ever, soon met check. OF all the young men |
ever knew, Benjamin Walters, of our school, most
completely set his parents, his teachers and Law
alter at defiance. -
Benjamin Waltersr' eagerly exclaimed Mrs.
Overton; my brother, Mr.. Swansey, where is
my brothers Do you know aught of him 81
and conclusive food of tears checked all reply.
Mr. Swansey was himself shocked, or appeared
so, and those of the company who before
learned the relation, turned their eyes upon each
other with, they knew not what of underlined in
quiry.
Il hope" observed the sailor, looking earnestly
into the face of Mrs. Overflow that this Benja-
min Walters is not the same with mad master
of vessel was acquainted with. thun-
dergust, who regarded northwester little
he did voyage round the earth. Many scrape
nave l carried him out of, and many brawl has
he involved me in If it is him, madam, you
weeping for, dry your tears, and rejoice that he
has gone to the bottom. The last time saw
him, he told me he was native of Bucks county,
in Pennsylvania; that his parents were dead and
that all the relatives he left behind him
sister, good girl enough, but hardly worth re-
turning to see"
During this incomprehensible narrative, the
ering; her tears were dried indeed, her really
sweet visage assumed severity which TO be felt,
must be seen; but which her tormentor regarded
with no other indication than most provoking
curl of the lip, as much above description her
wrath.
1T is in vain,' continued the sailor, to blubber
about drowned men, and if, as | was the friend OF
your brother, you could forget him, and call me
your Benny"
Here Mrs Overton raised her fine blue eyes up
on the manly visage before her. He had risen
to his feet; mis- lip quivered; his whole demeanor
was changed; his sun-embrowned cheeks were
wet 1t was indeed a moment of agony. my
Bennyp' at length burst from the now enraptuTed
sister, as she flew into the arms of her restored
brother. Captain Walters himself the first
of the company to regain command OF feeling,
and whilst gently removing his sister from his
breast, and reseating her, laughingy observed,
This is like sailing In one hour from the north
pole to the tropics, but all In good time; my be-
loved Susan, with your leave shall now find
birth beside you, and let Mr.. Graham finish his
| log-book."
Strong as he was, he would have found it no
easy matter TO have separated himself from Mrs
Overton. who, as l firmly believe, heard no other
part of Graham's tale, except where the name of
Ben Walters reused her recollection.
| Ben Walters, have already observed" con-
| tinued Mr Graham, set teachers and Lavater, at
i JoGap tho ryiptor ind al
in all circumstances, beyond any other example
| l ever knew; apparently thoughtless, | never