Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-06-22
Miserltamru u s.x
THE FATHER AND SON.
An Incident of Real Life.
BY PAUL CREYToN.

BY PAUL CREYToN.
: One night last winter, while pursuing m,
: way along one of the most obscure streets il
Boston, / was aroused from the revery wa
iadulging by hearing footsteps at my side
Turning quickly beheld young girl, appar
emily not more than twelve years old, follow
ing as if she was anxious to speak to me; anc
when observed by the dim light of neigh.
lboring street lamp, that she was poorly clad
trembling, thin and pale, 1 asked her. in a tone
of kindness, what she wanted?
IF you please, sir she replied, in a voice
almost choked by sobs, yet which struck me
as soft, and peculiarialy ilyer-toned-.If you
please, sir, will you go back with me Just a
little way, and see my father, who is very
sick q
What is the matter of your father?' ask
ed, afraid of being deceived
o, sir, don't know she answered, in the
same tone as before; but l fear he is going
to die. Do sir, be so good as to go and see
him.
The earnest manner of the broker-hearted
girl made me ashamed of having doubted her
at hrst, and Iresolved to comply with her re-
quest. was in just the mood for some ad-
venture where there was an opportunity of ac-
lcomPlishing an object of benevolence, and will
ingly followed my little sorrowful guide back
to her home. ~
The girl led me into small and somewhat
dilapidated house, and invited me to ascend a
small and narrow staircase. At the head of
the stairs heard her groping about until her
hand touched the latch of a door, which she
opened, asking me in low voice to follow her
into the room.
did so, and found myself in an humble
apartment, where scrupulous neatness seemed
struggling against absolute want The dim
light of a Ackering lamp which stood upon
small table near the door, revealed to me the
scanty furniture, which found to consist of a
few chairs, the table already mentioned, and
among other articles of minor Importance, a
bed in the retired part of the room.
The girl stepped along before me, and point
ed to the bed
Come this way, if you please she whisper
ed; here's father
AS she approached the bed of the sufferer,to
apprse him of my presence, Isilently brushed
away tear, which the sight of her erief-worn,
paid cheeks, and eys red with weeping, caus-
ed to start through my eye-lids.
My youthful guide bent over tho sick mar.
laying her cheek close to his, while her arms
encircled his neck, whispered something in his
ear. A moment after, she arose, and placing
a chair at the bedside, begged me to an.
proach.
Seating myself in the chair she placed for
me, took the hand of the invalid, and gazed
for the first time full upon his face. shall
never forget the spectacle. Although much
emaciated, his features BETRAYED the spirit ofl
pride in the midst of poverty, of resolution in
adversity, and of the stern endurance, during
his moments of agony which dwelt within
his breast.
was about to address him, when he cut
me short by speaking first
You find me IN bad condition, SIR said I
he, with asmile, thought rather bitter 4
can't deny that am actually crushed by sick
ness and misfortune; this you will readily be-
lieve, for could never have stopped to ask
of any one, had not been perfectly
helpless. But even now, sir, l doubt wheth-
er would not havedied before asking favor
Of any one, had it not been for the broken
hearted glrl who conducted you hither.'
cannot describe my sensation on these
words, so full of pride and candor. from the
Ips OF man who might be dying, It was
plain to be seen that the invalid had once seen
better days, and moved in circles of refine
nent and was sure that his intellect was of
he tnest order. twas owing to these pecu-
Iar circumstances of the case, that I became
1eePly interested IN my new acquaintances.
md felt anxious to relieve them, and at the
'ame time learn something of their history
After eonversing with the invalid for few 4
moments, he intimated that he would willingly {
ct me into the secrets of his history, pro-
lded the girl was not present to listen. Ii
A al II 4.
Id man called her, to go for physician of my t
cquaIntance. telling herI would stay by her ]
ather until she returned. The night was not '
old, and felt that it would benefit her body I
nd divert her mind to take walk in the city,
nth the ways of which she was very well ae- v
uainted.
Hetty had scarcely left the house, when a
he door bell rung. The sick man said that Ii
be lower part of the house was not occupied, 4
nd requested me to see who was at the door. e
Carrying the lamp in my hand, proceed
d down stairs found well dressed man n
the door, who seemed surprised at seeing
le in such place. n
don't know as he does, replied
We'll, then, is there more than one family h
wing in the house?'
- SAAy O1O AoLAillJ1 OSllGN0.
And you don't whether the name of the
Imily is Farley or not said the stranger with Ell
smile. Il
| saw the drift of his remark, and replied
lat I was not acquainted with the house, new VI
: having been here before. in
The name of the family may be Farley
i'd I, but have not heard of it. All know a.
there is an old man and his daughter, and 81
e calls his daughter Hetty' -. Il
The same said the stranger-he is the di
an would see n,
Hoping that he might bring relief to my SC
Nv acquaintance, I readily conducted him up &C
airs and into the apartment l had Just left fe
On approaching the bedside, found that SC
r. Farley had fallen asleep during my alb
nee from the room - .u
Let me sit here said the stranger, quietly L
ating himself at the foot of the bed, and h,