Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-06-03
THE STORY TELLER
.,.s THE SOLDIERS SON
OR, THE TRIUMPH OF VIRTUE.


"Css thy bread upon the waters and thou shalt find
alter many days." 40 --tf tniasi a.I eu 5tff
Shall take your baggage sir!' said ar
intelligent looking boy to a traveller, who hao
just arrived at one of the principal hotels a,
Louisville. s,l q Uqfs.1sf .eiaa.1 HEH
my servants take charge of it, replied the
gentleman. AasH.
But, struck with the peculiar expression Of
his countenance, as the boy retired, he flung
him piece of money. The boy looked a,
it with some hesitation, and his pale cheek
reddened to crimson. Picking it up at length
he approached the traveller with an air of en-
barassment.
Excuse me sir sought employment, no,
aims gIat.s 1g-a...-.a,.
- Trne, my little son. said the gentleman,
laughing; but you will surely not return SO
small tri1e on nv hands,
The boy stood for a moment in silence his
young spirit evidently recoled from the idea Of
appropriating the humiliating gift. He re-
mained twirIing it in his fingers. There was
an. expression of mingled haughtiness and graf
itude in his manly features, and his slender
form assumed all the irregular attitudes of in
decision. At this moment beggar approach
ed, and his countenance frightened. af.
Permit me- said he, bowling gracefully
to the traveller Permit me to transfer your
bounty. And, presenting the coin to the hum
ble mendicant, he instantly disappeared.
The little incident made strong impression
son the mind of the stranger. Two days after
wards, he distinguished the classic figure of
the boy amongst group of laborers. Pleased
at again seeing him, he Immediately approach
ed him.
May Task your name, my young ac-
quainiance he inquired in a tone of kind
Wilder Lee,' replied the boy and he still
continued to ply the instrument of labor with
increasing diligence. .......
Our traveller, whose name was Wilton,
looked at him with increased interest. The
extreme beauty of his countenance, Its mark
ed expression of high and noble feeling,
strongly contrasted with the coarseness of his
dress and the rudeness of his employment.
Have you no parents z inquired Mr.. Will
1 have yet father
And what is his vocation 2
{ He is worn out soldier, sir, Of the Revo-
iutiou.' na r.l -.. Tr. rH r.-
And the boy applied himself to his task
with an intensity that seemed intended to
prevent any further interrogation. The tena-
cious stranger, however, was not to be shaken
off. 40 et t-.i-s ."7'.
DO you live with your fa,her.'
Certainly, sir ,~
And, where' ... ...- ..... o..
- The boy pointed in silence to a decayed and
miserable looking dwelling. Mr.. Wilton
sighed. A keen November blast, which at the
moment whis,led around him, told him the in
adequacy of such shelter.
"A SOLDIER he mentally exclaimed; and
perhaps his blood has been shed to secure the
rights of those who now revel in luxury
A few hours afterwards he knocked at the
door of the shattered habitation. If an interest
in the father had been already awakened by the
son, it was at once confirmed by the appear
ance of the old man now before him. He had
raised his head slowly from his staff, on which
he was leaning, at the entrance of the stranger,
and discovered conntenance on which the
lines of sorrow and suffering were distinctly
traced. Still, there was something in his high
though furrowed brow, that told his affinity
with the proud Wilder; and the ravages of in
firmity had not altogether robbed his wasted
form of the dignity of the soldier.
Will you pardon the intrusion of stran-
CERT said Mr.. Wilton. l have been led
hither merely to chat an hour with revolu-
tionary veteran M .-.,
sHe who comes to cheer the solitude Of
darkness must be welcome said the old man
And Mr.. Wilton now perceived that he was
entirely blind. The events of the Revolution
afforded an easy clue to conversation, and they
chaited without effort.
Il would, said Mr.. Wilton, 'that every one
who assisted in our glorious struggle might in
dividually share the prosperity it has confirmed
to our nation. l fear, however. that there are
many whose blood cemented the proud fabric
of our independence that are themselves left il
want and obscurity.'
True, sAaid the old man /; the decayed sol
dier, whose strength was wasted in the con
fiict, has but little for himself at home. But
trust his posterity will reap the harvest he ha
sown.' y e I"
ii sYou have son. said Mr.. Wilton, 'worth,
of such harvest Is the youth called Viii
der yonr all 2
sAll that survives Of large family. H
alone, the child of my old age, has been spare
to save me from utter dependence
Have you been long deprived Of sight =
'Only two years.
And, during that period, have you had n
resource but the labor Of your song
None. But the wants of soldier are few
and the filial piety of my boy renders hir
cheerful nncer every privation that effects onl
himself. He labors necessarily, and have n
. regret bat that of seeing him ihas fetsered t
servitude.' ads z .ae1 sta.. ssas a
tsssI would said Mr.. Wilton, with enihusi
o'ismLsI would could place him in spher