Western Reserve chronicle and weekly transcript of the times. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1854-1855, 1855-03-28

The morning came, but brought n
tidings Of the lost son. After solem
farewell, all the visitants, save Adam Bel
and his daughter returned every one L
their own houses and the disconsolat
father, with his servants again renewer
their search among the hillsand surround
ing villages.
Days, weeks, months and years rollle,
on. Time had subdued the anguish o
the parents into a holy calm; bat thei
lost first-born was not forgotten, although
no trace of his faIe had been discovered
The general belief was that he had per.
ished in the breaking up of the snow
and the few in whose remembrance he
still lived, merely spoke of his death as a
"yery extraordinary circumstance" re
marked that she was a wild Tenturesome
sort o. lad"
Christmas had succeeded Christmas
and Peter Elliot still kept it in commem-
oration of the birthday of him who was
not. For the first few years after the loss
of their son, sadness and silence charac.
ierized the party who sat down TO dinner
at Marchlaw, and still at Peters right
hand was placed the vacant arm chair.
But as the younger branches of the fam
lily advanced in years, the remembrance
of their brother became less poignant
Christmas was, with all around them, a
day of rejoicing, and they began 20 make
merry with their friends. While the par
eats partook of their enjoyments, with a
smile, half of approval half of sorrow.
Twelve years had passedaway; Carist-
mas has again come. 1t was the coun-
terpart of its fatal predecessor. The
hills had not yet cast off their summer
verdure the sun although shorn of its
heat, had lost none of its brightness or
glory, and looked downeapon the earth
participating in its gladness; and the
clear blue sky was tranquil as the sea
sleeping beneath the moon. Many visi-
tors had assembled at Marchlaw The
sons of Mr. Elliot, and The younger men
of the party, were assembled upon a
level green near the house, amusing them
selves with throwing the hammer and
other border games, while himself and
the elder guests stood by as spectators,
recounting the deeds of their youth
Johnson, The sheep farmer, whom we
have already mentioned, now a brawny
and gigantic fellow of wo.and-ihirty,
bore away in every game the palm from
all competitors. More than once as Pc
ter beheld his sons defeated, he felt the
spirit of youth glowing in his veins, and
"Ohl' mdttered he in bitterness, chad
my Thomas been spared to me, he would
hae thrown his hearts bluid after the
hammer, before he would hae been beat
by ere a Johnson in the countryr
While he thus soliloquized, and with
difficulty restrained an impulse TO COM
pete with the victor himself, dark, for
eign-looking, strong-built seaman, un-
tremendously approached, and with his
arms folded, cast look of contempt on
the boasting eonqueror. Every eye was
turned with a scrutinizing glance upon
the stranger. In height he could not
exceed FIVE feet nine, but his whole frame
Was model of masculine strength his
features were open and manly, but deep
ly sunburnt and weather-beaten, his long,
glossy, black heair, curled into ringlets
by the breeze and the billow, fell thickiy
over histemples and forehead and whis-
kers OF similar hue, more conspicuous
for size than elegance, gave character
of fierceness to countenance otherwise
possessing a striking impress of manly
beauty. Without asking permission, he
stepped forward, lifted the hammer, and,
swinging it around his head, hurled it
upwards of Eve yards beyond JohnsOn's
most successful throw. 'eWell doner'
shouted the astonished spectators. The
heart of Peter Elliot warmed within him,
and he was hurrying forward 10 grasp
the stranger by the hand, when the words
groaned in his throat, ''It was Just such
throw as my Thomas would have made!
my own lost Thomas" The tears
burst into his eyes, and without speaking,
he turned his back, and hurried towards
The house, to conceal his emotions.
Successfully, at every game, The stran-
ger had defeated all who had ventured to
oppose him; when message announced
that diGuer waited their arrival. Some
of the guests were already seated, others
entering and, as heretofore. placed be.
side Mrs. Elliot was Eliz lbeIa Bell, still
in the noontide of her beauty but sor.
row passed over her features, like veil
over the countepance of an angel
johnson crest fallen and out of humor a
this defeat, seated himself by her side
la early life. he had regarded Thomas
Elliot as rival for her affections; and
stimulated with the knowledge that Adam
Bell would be able to bestow several
thousands upon his daughter as dowry
he yet prosecuted his attentions with un.