Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-07-08
DAILY EVENING STAR.
THE LOST FOUND AND RESTORED.
A SKETCH FROM LIFE,


"1ou have just returned, friend Man.
son, have you not" said Livingston,
''fom your Western journey 2"
''4es," he replied, Il have, and there
was circumstance attending it which
will make it the most memorable even,
in my whole life."
"Indeed, what is that, my friend z"
"Ah, it would take more time than
either you or l could now spare" SAID
Manson, "for me to relate, and you to
listen to the particulars but will at.
tempt a very brief sketch of the, sub.
stance" '
When I went to school in Connecticut
l had very dear friend and schoolmate
named John McL-d. lie was one Of
the brightest and most beloved pupils in
the school. He grew up, paid his addres.
ses to a beautiful and excellent young
lady, a member of the church. Az length
he was married to his Mary, and they
prepared Immediately after that event, in
pursuance of a previous plan, to cmigrate
to a Western State. The evening before
the day we were to separate, perhaps for.
ever, | had tender interview with my
bosom friend and lovely wife; it was
deeply affecting to us all.
The next morning they departed, with
the affectionate farewells Of many old
friends and neighbors in the town where
they were born and reared, with hand
some provision made by the parents OF
both, who were in competent circum-
stances. Ten years elapsed, during
which [ was called to the Methodist min
istry in distant places, as my lot hap
pened to be cast. Not word concern.
ing them reached my cars in all of that
time. The course of DUTY called me then
to the vicinity of the place where my
friend had settled, and l resolved to 90
out of my way considerably to give John
and Mary call. Arriving at the town
and inquiring for their residence, l was
told they lived some distance from the
centre village. At length [ found the
place. At the first glance, my mind mis-
gave me. The sight Of the miserable
cabin made me sick and after hitching
my horse l scarcely dared to enter
Knock | could not there was no door
nothing but blanket stretched across
the passage. Removing this, alas what
did behold! There was Mary sitting
on a 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 woe. How altered was
the lovely Mary Tn!
etDo you remember me, dear Nary"
Isaid.
go, Mr.. Manson, is it indeed your We
arc ruined; John is lost, and 1 and the
children are starving here. We have not
had morsel to eat since yesterday morn
ing"
"Great heavens!' said |, ''and where
is John?"
'.He is at the store: he has not been
here for several days."
IL must see him." l replied.
Better not, sir, he is savage now,
and will ill-treat you" ....
"I must and will see john" I re-
piled and started Immediately for the
store, according to her direction. There
was no time to lose, for was to be at
the conference, whittier I was bound on
certain time appointed. Ireadily found
the store and entered. The first sight
disclosed four men playing cards at Ia
BILE. The next glance discovered a man
stretched out along whisky hogshead.
The landlord was sitting by, but in
stantly hoped up and ran behind the
counter to wait upon me, suppoSing l
was customer. Says L
lis John McL--d here 2"
They all looked at me on hearing the
question, as if it had been the old One or
a sheriff.
What is that to you 2" he sullenly
replied.
.'I want to see him." l answered.
While was speaking L took another
sweep of the room with my eye, and saw
something like man asleep in the cor
ner. "Is that John9" l asked.
"None of your business" answered
the surly bar-keeper.
"If it is that unhappy man, you will
find it some of my business" / replied.
So went to him, recognized him, though
in this shocking, beastly plight, and be-
gan to wake him. This was no easy job,
and while was about 1t, the rumseller
and his guests demonstrated, telling me
to 20 away, threatening chastisement and
showing violence. / had in my hand q
loaded whip, and am not inferior you
know, in point of Wiry, muscular power;
and though a man Of peace, l confess
that in the whole twenty.scvcn years
have been in the ministry, l never felt SO
strong disposition as at that moment
to give four or five men thrashing.
They were intimidated, and / succeeded
at length in getting John upon his legs,
and trotting him off homeward. My
presence and the exercise sobered him,
SO that when he reached his howell he was
in his right mind.
forgot to mention that when [ first
went into the house, the child upon the
ground started up frightened, running to
her mother crying. g Is he going to carry
us to iail mother, where father was?
And that poor mother sobbed upon my
hand as if her heart would break. Well,
conversed with them an hour, talked
of old times in Connecticut, the old viii
lage, and school days. He was sottened;
his heart was touched. Then l urged
the pledge his wife put in her profoundly
earnest, almost frantic plea. She fell
this indeed to be the hour OF destiny.
"Do YOU think can keep it!" said
at lonpih the miserable man, once 50
promising, now so fallen. SIS it possible
\