The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-05-13


lowly than in an exalted station, for the latter
have an inheritance Of fame and are too ui.cn
content to use it to its last grain, without ad-
ding anything TO it for the next generation
:" should like to see your father, Frank"
You shall be gifted if you choose to ac-
company me home IL the spring but, in what
station do you expect to find him p
IF l must judge by your theory, l should
say he is some humble artisan, but know bet
ter than to believe such thing suppose he
is one Of the aristocracy OF your republican
country, living in the most independent of all
modes, as gentleman farmer. and ! should
not be surprised if ne had carefully preserved
box of old papers, which enabled him to
trace his descent from some English yeoman
OF the time Of the eighth Harry"
"You never were more mistaken in your
life"
''Well, don't tell me anything about him l
mean to so and see for my self, bat one shall
persuade me that you could derive from any
mean parentage the chivalrous sentiments
which led you TO save my lite at the risk Of
your own
"Pshaw, I wish you would not think SO
much Of trifing service
"You may underrate your disinterestedness
as much as you please but II any else
we're to tell me that the man who bound his
own life preserver on sick stranger, when
the black waters were yawning to devour him,
had performed only trtiing service, l think
he would find a little OF the spirit of my an
cesters in my reply
The speakers who thus discussed points of
honor while they pulled the fragrant smoke
from their Habanas,' were Henri de Vaence
a young West Indian Of large fortune, and
his friend Frank Weston, who had left his
native village to seek wealth in New Orleans,
that Eldorado of all who can resist nose aetocs
and yellow fever. They had met as strangers
on board Mississippi steamer, where Henri
was suffering from the teebleness attendant
upon long illness. Before they reached their
port OF destination, the boat was snagged, and
the passengers were in the most imminent
danger, when Frank, seeing the pallid strang
er at his side, quietly took off his life preser-
yer, saying, I" am strong and can swim, but
you are utterly helpless, take this and save
yourself" The opportune arrival ola steamer
rescued them, after an exposure of some hours
to the most imminet danger, bat Henri never
forgot the heroic act of his new friend. With
the warm heartedness of his age and cline,
he attachek himself closely to Frank, even
resolved to accompany him TO his native home,
rather than part with him for whole season.
The first spring buds were unfolding their
soft green to the warm gales, when the friends
set out on their northern journey. Henri was
charmed with everything he saw in nature,
strongly disposed TO find amusement in some
vely uatural trGtts of individual character
The bold and magnificent scenery Of our beau
tiful land excited his enthusiastic admiration,
while his prejudices were sadly shocked at
some occasional glimpses of American life
By the time he arrived at New DIRK, he was
more deeply confirmed in his ideas of the ad-
vantage of high birth, and as he contrasted
the quiet gentlemanly department OF Frank,
with the coarse manners OF some of their
travelling conpanio ms, he could not help con-
graduating himself on having found friend
among the better class of our plebeian citizens.
1t was late in the afternoon of one OF those
balmy day which make June so delightful a
month in America, when the travellers APP
preached the spot where Frank Weston was
born and bred As they proceeded slowly
along road cut in the side of a mountain,
they looked down upon the village, lying at
the foot Of the declvity, and nothing could