The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-05-02

friends. cannot even buy lodging for
the night"
And seeing the merchant look incredu-
lously at him, he could contain himself no
longer. but said imploringly-
"Oh, sir, do not refuse" and the tears
trickeled down his cheeks.
The merchant touched by his grief, and
convinced by the openness of his manner,
hesitated a moment, and finally took him
TO his house. A few days proved the
truth of the youths story, and he was en-
plo, ed al once by his new beneiactor.
In the course of time he rose by degrees
until he became head clerk in the estab-
lishment of MIR. Thompson. He also, by
his amiableness became the favorite of the
wealthy family of h e employer with
whom he resided. All loved him, and he
loved them IN return as father, mother, and
sister. For although Charles, Qor il was
Charles Elliston) thought that Emma
Thompson was almost as beautiful as his
own Helen, yet he still remained faithful
to the latter, and could but think of the
former as sister.
Five years rolled by, and he had now
become proprietor of the large establish
ment which he had entered as an errand
boy, Mr.. Thompson having retired from
| business.
One evening he was sitting in familiar
conversation with the family, when Mrs.
Thompson, after looking steadfastly at
Charles for some time, remarked how
much Emma and he resembled each 9TH
Ell.
Yes" said her husband, - have often
observed it-they look as much alike as
though they were really brother ana sister.
Our Charles-poor little fellow, could not
have been more like Emma.
~ our Charles? Inever knew you had
any other child besides Emma" said
Charles ..When did he de!''
NV ould to God he had died. exclaim-
cd Mrs. Thompson; then would ] have
known he was in Heaven; but now per-
haps he is bufeted about by strangers.
whose hard hearts can seldom feel like
parents"
And then she gave vent to her feelings
in lelrs.
"He was lost then?" asked Charles.
Yes" said Mr.. Thompson. about
seventeen years ago, Mary and myself
travelling north for the benefit of our
| health, 10 visit some friends in New ork
city, took with us our little Charles, who
was scarcely four years old. aud then our
only child. We arrived there III safety,
and after staying with our friends some
time, set out on our return home. Anx-
ious TO prosecute our journey, we lmmedl-
alely on our arrival took The steamboat to
proceed on. | went TO see 10 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 cab
III some time after To finQ wary there alone
She thought 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 it struck US that be had wandered on
shore before the boat left The wharf, and
consequently was left behind. How har-
! rowing 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 Distress
ing. Perhaps he had fallen overheard,
unseen, and was drowned. However, l
determined, on arriving Ill New Orleans
and leaving Mary with her friends and re-
lations, TO return to Philadelphia and spare
no pains or expense In trying 10 discover
his fate; but the great mental excitement
aud bodily fatigue had undergone, threw
me- into fever on the way, and 1t was
several months before | recovered. When
did and arrived in Philadelphia, no trace
could be discovered Of our child, and never
since have we heard anything concerning
him. But God be prised, Charles, he has
given US a son In you"
"But was there no mark by which he
could have been known if he had been
left behind, as you first suPposed?'' asked
Charles, eagerly.
"Yes, there were scars of a dogs teeth
on his left wrist, and besides he wore
locket birth day present from his faith
er-around his neck, with Charles engra-
ven on IT," said Mrs. Thompson with
tears in her eyes.
"rhen, father, MOTHER" said Charles
barring his arm and drawing from his bo-
som locket which he threw into Mrs.
rhompson's lap-'behold your long lost
son.
For an instant they stood amazed-the
next they were locked in each others
arms. Then turning 10 Emma he for the
first time pressed TO his bosom sister.
How different was his situation now
from what it was the day on which he
tlrst set foot in New Orleans. Then be
was poor and friendless, with scarce
place TO reEt his head-now he was veal