The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-04-01
The Farmers Son:
Or, the Returned Californian.
-, BY LIEUTENANT MURRAY.

, BY LIEUTENANT MURRAY. .--..
I was school companion with Martha
Winslow and Chester Ray, and could not
but envy them both the affectionate re-
gard they cherished for each other. They
had been thus from childhood but
Martha's parents were rich, while Ches-
ter's were poor indeed. The parents of
both either did rot notice their intimacy,
or else considered it of too little import
ance to require their interference, until
the young couple were respectively six
teen and seventeen-Chester being the
eldest. At that period both left school,
or rather the academy, having gone
through its highest branches of study,
and when Chester attempted to renew
the intimacy of the school hours at her
fathers mansion, he was respectfully
but decidedly given to understand that
it would no longer be permitted by her
parents, who had higher hopes for their
child than that she should marry hope
full farmers son. .aH .
In vain were his honest professions to
her father, his promises of industry and
good conduct; he was refused the house
altogether. -f 'r .,'sa $500 q, HIa
Chester was free-hearted, generous
souled fellow, and this dash upon his
hopes and dearest affections made him
misanthropic at first, then reckless; and
at last he resolved to leave neighbor-
hood that rendered him so miserable,
from the association of pleasures that
were now gone forever Thus resolved,
he travelled on foot to Boston, distance
of nearly sixty miles from his native
town, and here he sought for employ
ment He could get none, became DESC
late, dispirited, hopeless, and wander
er in strange place. .. .gf ...-
Martha had loved him as tenderly as
he had cherished her, and one, day he
happened to think of the post Office, and
went thither to inquire for letter to
his address, and to his surprise found
one. Fortunately the postage was paid, +
for he had not the means to payit. He.
seized it eagerly and read few lines it
was from Martha Winslow, and ran as
follows: .-s..
"DEAR CHEsTER-I am so unhappy
at our separation that l cannot help
writing to you, l have not heard from
yousnce you left here two months since,
and | find my mind sometimes conjuring
up all sorts of fearful images about you,
the worst of which, to me, is that you
have forgotten me. Don't despair, dear 8
Chester, of the future ). We love each 81
other, l know, too truly, not to be hap
py at last My father is away in New e.
York, else should hardly dare to write
to YOU Heaven bless you, Chester, and
believe me ever the same, let what may
occur. Afectionately, 80 ".-
80 MARTHA" q
Chester Ray required some such imr
petus as this, some such home-token, to
awaken him to himself. He was fast
sinking into debauchery, and unless
some hand was extended to succor him.,
he must sink. B.. ID. ......-r 10.
He kissed the letter again and again,
and wandered on, he knew not whittier,
until he found himself opposite to aship-;
ping house on Commercial street, and
from the window of. which waved a flag
with the word California" upon it.
Stepping up to the poster upon the wall,
he read glowing account of the valley
of the Sacramento; he caught the enthu-
siasm, and stepping into the office, ask
ed more about the business, and finally
resolved to 90 to California, if he was
obliged to work his passage thither.
"Do you wish to take passage 2" ask
ed the clerk. .Ea.H p n.. s5a'
"I haven't the means to pay," an J.
swered Chester sadly. .9so ssssi p
Well, we want some hands forward.
Do you know a seamen's duty :"
"No." 10
Green-eh 20 -...e. '.-
eyes. I have never been on ship
board" ..-....- -. ~ =.
You look like an intelligent fellow,
though. How would you like to ship
and work your passage I" - .
"I will do so with all my heart"
every WE'LL" said the clerk, calling
his employer, and after word inter-
changed between them, the bargain was
made 4
It was BEAUTIFUL autumnsl afternoon
that the ship cast loose from her moore
ings and dropped down Boston harbor, =
to lay her course to the south, In onS
hundred and forty days the same ship
was moored at the wharf IN San Fran(
cisco. Chester had definite obi
view he said little to any OF
stayed in the city, engaged ss
Iaborar loo, o,ouob t<, ~