Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-06-07

thought that Emma Thompson was al
most as beautiful as his own Helen, We
he still remained faithful to the latter
and could but think of the former as q
sister.
Five years rolled by, and he had now
become proprietor of the large establish
ment which he had entered as an errant
boy, Mr.. Thompson having retired from
business.
One evening he was sitting in famllial
conversation with the family, when Mrs
Thompson, after looking steadfastly al
Charles for some time, remarked how
much Emma and he resembled each 9th.
er.
"Yes," said her husband. 81 have Of
ten observed it--they look as much alike
as though they were really brother and
sister. Our Charlcs-poor little fellow,
could not have been more like Emma. -
"Your Charles? never knew you
had any other child besides Emma
said Charles. "When cid he der
"Would to God he had died!'' ex-
claimed Mrs. Thompson; 'then would |
have known he was in Heaven: but now
perhaps, he is buffeted about by strangers
whose hard hearts can seldom feel like
parents"
And then she gave vent to her feelings
in tears.
"He was lost, then!" asked Charles.
"Yes," said Mr.. Thompson. "Aboui
seventeen years ago, Mary and myself
travelling north for the benefit OF our
health, to visit some friends in New
York city, took with us our little Charles,
who was scarcely four years old, and
then our only child. We arrived there
in safety, and afier staying with our
friends some Time, set out on our return
home. Anxious to prosecute our Jour-
ney, we Immediately on our arrival took
the steamboat to proceed on. / went =
see to the safety Of the baggage, thinking
that my Mary and Charles were in the
cabin, but what was my surprise, when
on going into the cabin some time after
to find Mary there alone. She thought
l had Charles with me, and she swooned
away when informed her that had
not. We searched the boat over, but no
Charles could be found, and then j, struck
us that he had wandered on shore before
the boat left the wharf, and consequently
was left behind. How narrowing were
our thoughts! TO think that every minute
the distance was increasing between US
and our dearly beloved child. But there
was thought still more distressing. -
Perhaps he had fallen overheard, unseen,
and was drowned.
However, determined, on arriving in
New Orleans and leaving Mary with her
friends and relations to return TO Philadel-
phia and spare no pains or expense in
trying to discover his fate; but the great
mental excitement and bodily fatigue /
had undergone, threw me into fever on
the way, and It was several months be-
fore recovered. When did, and ar
rived in Philadel phia, no trace could be
discovered of our child, and never since
have we heard anything concerning him.
Bot God be praised Charles, he has
given US son in you"
'sBut was there no mark by which he
could have been known if he had been
behind, as you first supposed" asked
Charles, eagerly.
Eyes, there were scars Of dogs teeth
on his left wrist, and besides he wore a
locket--a birthday present from his
iather--around his neck, with Charles
engraven on it," said Mrs. Thompson
with tears in her eyes.
"Then, father, MOTHER" said Charles,
barring his arm and drawing from his
bosom locket, which he threw into
Mrs. Thompson's lap-"behold your
long lost son."
For an instant they stood amazed
the next they were locked in each others
arms. Then turning TO Emma he for
the first time pressed to his bosom a
sister.
How different was his situation now
from what it was the day on which he
first set foot in New Orleans. Then he
was poor and friendless, with scarce a
place to rest his head--now he was
wealthy, surrounded by friends, and
blessed with fathers, mothers and
sisters love. He could claim now what
her noble father would not have refused,
even to the poor youth, had he asked it
-Helen's hand; and even her proud
mother would not object to receiving for
her son-in-law, the heir of the richest
merchant in New Orleans.
Mirth and Music resounded through.
out and gladness reigned predominant
in the splendid mansion of Mr.. Merton.
II was the birth-night ball Of his beanti-
full and accomplished daughter Helen,
given on her nineteenth birth day, and
the magnificent saloons were shronged
by the youth, beauty and elite of the
metropolis. All paid willing homage to
her fascinating charms. Nor beneath
their fervent congratulations did there
lurk aught of malice or envy; for the
sweet disposition and gentle manners Of
Helen Merton had won tho good will Of
all who knew her. And now as she re-
piled to their warm hearted wishes, she
looked more beautiful than ever. She
was attired in a plain white dress, looped
with roses, and fitted exquisitely to her
finly moulded form: her shining chestnut