The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-10-12
The Lost Found and Restored.
A SKETCH FROM LIFE


have you not. said Livingston, "from you wes-
tern journeyr eyes" he replied. 81 have: and
there was circumstance attending it which
will mako il to mo tho most memorable evont
in my whole lifo," "Indeed, what is that, my
friend" "Ah. it would take moro time than
either you or could now spare. said, Manson,
for me to relate, and you to listen to tho par
ticulars; but will attempt very brief sketch
of the substance. When went tn school in
Connecticut, had very doar friend and
schoolmate, named John Nc Id. He was
one Of the brightest and most beloved pupils in
the school. o grew up, paid his address to a
beautiful and excellent Young lady, member
ofthe Church. At length no was married to his
Mary, and thcy prepared Immediately after
that event, in pursuance Of a previoRs plan. to
omipratc (, Western State The evening bo-
fore the day we were to separate, perhaps for
ever, had tender interview with nv bosom
friend and his lovely wfe;it was deeply affect
ing to all Ofus.
The next morning they departed. with the af-
fectionato farewells Of many old friends and
neighbors in the town. wherc thoy wero born
and reared, and with handsome provision
made by the parents both, who were in com
potent circumstances. Ten years elapsed, du-
ring which was called to the Methodist minis
try in distant places, as my lot happened to be
cast. Not word concerning them reached
nv cars in oil that time. The course of duty
called mo then to the vicinity of the place
where my friends had settled, and resolved
to go out of nv way considerably to give John
and Mary call. Arriving at tho town. and
enduring for their residence. was they lived
some distance from the centre of the village
At length | found the place. At the first
glance my mind misgave mo. The sight OF
the miserable cabin made me sick, and after
hitching my horse, scarcely dared to onter.
Knock, | could not; thore was no door, moth
ing but blanket stretched across the passage
Removing this, alas! what did beholdi There
was Mary sitting on stool with an infant on
her lap, and another child in the corner on the
ground for the cabin had no floor.
Oh sight of woo! How altered wAe the
lovely Mary T-nl "Do you remember me
dear Mary" 40! Mr.. Manson, it is indeed
your We are ruined John is lost, and and
the children are starving here. We have not
had a morsel to cat since yesterday morning
"Great heavens said |, and whore is John!'
"He is at tho store; and has not boen here
for several days"
81 must SEQ him. I replied.'
"Bettcr not sir, ho is savage now; and viii
i'll treat you"
al must and will SEQ JOHN
started Immediately for tho store, accord
ing to hor direction. There was no timo to
loose, for was to be at conference, whittier
was bound, at certain time appointed.
readily found the store and entered. The
first sight disclosed four men playing cards al
table. The rioxt glance discovered mar
stretched along whisky hogshead. The land
lord was sitting by, but instantly jumped vi
and ran behind tho counter to wait upon me
supposing was customer. Says |, sis Johr
Nc Id herer' They all looked at me, or
hearing that question, as if had been the ole
one OF the sheriff. "What is that to youY hC
sullenly replied. I want to see him. While
was speaking, 1 took another sweep of tht
room with my eye, and saw something like I
man asleep in the corner. as that Johnf'
"None Of you business" answered tho bar
keeper.
.ff 1t is that unhappy man you will find it il
somo of my business"
So went to him, recognized him, though il
this shocking, beastly plight, and began to tr.
to wake him. This was no easy Job; and while
was about it tho rumsellor and his guests re
monstrated. telling me to go away, threaten
ing chastiscment, and showing violence. hat
iu my baud loaded whip, and am not infori
or, you know, in point of wiry, muscular pow
wor; and though man of peace, confess tha
in the whole of the twenty years hav'
boon in tho ministry. / never felt so strong
disposition as at that moment, to give four O.
five men thrashing. They were ntlmidato
and succeeded in getting John upon his log
and trotting him off homewards. My presenc'
and the exercise sobered him, SO that when n
reached his hovel, he was in the right mind
forgot to mention that when first wen
into the house, the child upon the groun'
started up affrightod, running to her mothc
crying.
"Is ho going to carry us to jail, mOtho'
whore father VAST r
And that poor mother sobbed upon my han
ne II her heart would break. We'll converse
with thom an hour, talked of old times in Con
neoticut, the, old village and school days. ii
was softened, his heart was touched. Then
urged the pledge; his wifo put in her profund
Iy earnest, almost frantic plea. She folt thi
70 be indeed the bour of destiny.
"Do you think can koop it' said at lengt
the miserable man, once SO promising, now s