Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-11-08

l
al have Just arrived in the steamboat
from the north, and have neither money
nor friends. l cannot even buy lodg-
ing for the night"
And seeing the merchant look incred-
ulously at him, he could contain him
self no longer, but said imploringly-
40, sir do not refuse" and the tears
trickled down his cheeks
The merchant touched by his grief,
and convinced by the openness OF his
manner, hesitated moment, and finally |
took him to his house. A few days
proved the truth Of the youths story, |
aud he was employed at once by his
new benefactor.
| In the course of time he rose by de-
grees until he became head clerk in the
establishment of Mr.. Thompson. He
also, by his amiableness became the fa-
vorite of the wealthy family of the en-
ployer with whom he resided. All loved
him, and he loved them in return as faith
er, mother and sister. For although
Charles (for it was Chares Elliston)
thought that Emma Thompson was al.
most as beautiful as his own Helen, yet
he still remained faithful to the latter,
and could but think Of the former as a
sister.
Five years rolled by, and he had now
became proprietor of the large establish
ment which he had entered as an er-
rand boy, Mr.. Thompson having retired
from business.
: One evening he was sitting in familiar
conversation with the family, when Mrs.
Thompson, after looking steadfastly al
Charles for some time, remarked how
e much Emma and he resembled each
: other.
EYES," SAID her husband, "I have Of.
ten observed it-they look as much a
: like as though they were really brother
and sister. Our Charles poor little fel
e low, could not have been like Emma"
"Your Charles? never knew yol
e had any other besides Emma" SAT-
l. Charles, I" When did he die 7"
ii Would to God he had died !" ex
s, claimed Mrs. Thompson; /" then woul
re l have known he was in Heaven bu
s. now perhaps, he is buffeteG about b
to strangers whose hard hearts can seldor
in feel like parents"
he And then she gave vent to her fee
e, ings in tears.
ul "He was lost, then!" asked Charlie
eyes," said Mr.. Thompson. "a
r. bout seventeen years ago, Mary and ny
We selftravelling north for the benefit Of OF
health, to visit some friends IN Ne
York city, took with US our little Charl,
sy who was scarcely four years old, al
-. 1har o,,r onIv ,b;lI W. arr;veds Al, a
he in safety, and after staying with Of
Ie- friends some time. set out on our retu
home. Anxious to prosecute our jou
lp- ney, we Immediately on our arrival tot
ad the steamboat to proceed on. went
,ur see TO the safety Of the baggage, thinki
cts that Mary ID Charles, were in the ca
,ok in, but .sS4iat was my surprise, when
to going into the cabin sometime after
ur- find Mary there alone. She thought
les had charles with me, aud she swoon
him away when informed her had not.
We searched the boat over, but no Char
was could be found, and then it struck
,uId that he had wandered on shore beft
,er- the boat had left the wharf, and con
had quently was left behind. How harrc
eld- ing were our thoughts to think that
yest cry minute the distance was increas
no. between us and our dearly beloved ch
pas- But there was a thought still more {
no. tressing. Perhaps he had fallen ov
Is board, unseen and was drowned. HI
IS of ever, determined on arriving in N
lped Orleans and leaving Mary with
t is friends and relations, to return TO Ph
hone delphia and spare no pains nor expe
ward in trying to discover his fate: but
him great mental excitement and bodily
its tigue l had undergone, threw me in
at fever on the way. and it was sew
and, months before recovered. When |
day and arrived in Philadelphia, no Il
Nor could be discovered of our child,
ng of never since have we heard anything
srton cerning him. But God be Prai
were CHARLES he has given US a son in yo'
He But was there no mark by whicI
Tton, could have been known if he had
t be left behind, as you first supposed"
lmiiy ed Charles eagerly. g.. ~
h he Yes, there were scars Of a,
teeth on his left wrist, and beside:
ner's wore a locket-a birthday present
wharf his father--around his neck,
i'm its Charles engraved on it,' said
weary Thompson with tearsi in her eyes.
1t up "Then, father, mother" said Ch;
step barring his arm and taking from his
ith som a iocket, which he threw into
lowly Thompson's lap" behold your lon,
y to- son.
lg the For an instant they stood amaz
anger the next they were locked in each
saL er's arms. Then turning to Emm
-owful for the first time pressed her to his
hopes, ON as sister.
house How different was his situation
ahout cror,1 .,,bot n nae the dav on whic