Columbia gazette., 1854-06-24

II . ,
see where he has gone. I thought sure
ly to keep him with us this evening,
and try to get some life into him."
No, no." said the eldest one Of the
company, ono, no; the poor lad is
home-sick, and our mcrriment would
only sadden him the more. Nothing,
fear, will do him any good but the
sight of homo. But if we are only for
tsnate, if VIC can follow up the lead we
have struck, we can all see the sight of
our blessed homes before winter sets in,
| trust.''
A hearty Gamer" was responded to
that sentiment, as each broad bosom
heavcd with sigh, as they thought Of
the slowed ones at home" Hour after
hour came and went, and the evening
winds blew cold and chill, yet Frank
came not. Finally, Major Turpin,
growing really alarmed at the prolonged
absence Of his beloved protege, knock
ed the ashes out Of his pipe, and hastily
picking up blanket from the ground,
hurried out in search of him. Taking
the path leading down a ravine, he was
not long in finding the object Of his
search, seated on stone, with his head
resting upon his hands, totally uncon-
scious Of all that was passing around
him.
GOOD heavens how cold you are ~
exclaimed the Major, as he laid his
hands in the clusters of dark brown
hair, which seemed to have gathered
the dampness OF death upon thcm-so
cold and chill they were. With q deep
drawn sigh, Frank permitted the blank
ct to be wrapped around his shoulders
and assisted from his scat, for he was so
stiff from sitting there SO lcug, that he
could scarcely move his limbs. As he
rose, an open letter fell to the ground
81 got this letter from home to-day,
Major" said he, "and part Of it is to
you. l thought we would read it to-
gether this evening, after the rest have
gone to ssccp."
! $50 they're all well at home, are
they' Well, we'll, I'm glad to hear it.
But | must get you to bed Grst, my
boy, before l read it, for I'm afraid you
have got your death Of cold sitting here.
You must not be SO thoughtless again,
Frank after standing over hot Gre
for two or three hours, and then 60 out
in the cold air with your clothes all
! damp, I'm afraid, my lad, you've got
your death already. Why you're SC
hoarsc you can scarcely speak"
It was too true; POOR Fraak had IN
deed got has death Of cold. All nigh,
long his kind protector, the good old
Major, sat by his side, chatting bis burn.
ing temples, and bathing his benumbcd
limbs, but the fearful symptoms of .
raging fever only increased. Toward
day, when his charge had suak into q
6tful slumbcr. the Major opened the
letter and read it by the light of o dim
lamp. Il was long, closely written,
afecsioaste lcttcr-writtcn BY every
member Of the family, to che only ab-
seut one Of their happy little aock.-
Often and eftea did the kind old man
pause, while reading those words Of If.
lection and love, to wipe the binding
tears from his eyes, Is he looked upon
the restless sufferer while he tossed upon
has uneasy bed, and read in his flushed
cheek and wildly beaning eye, his al
most certain fate. A portion of the
letter was directed to himself by the pa
rents Of the young man, imploring him
to be xatchful Of their treasure, both
morally sad physically, and ended with
an earnest prayer that the Father above
might guide them through the perils d
a California life and that they might
lgrcet them well and happy beneath the;,
own roof tree ere the close Of the "a.
tumn. - '
Then follswed little letter in P. S.
from little Willie, the pet Of The tamil,
-,