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


)ter's aversion, and the -coldness of her
father. Peter had taken his place at the
able; and still by his side, unoccupied
and sacred, appeared The vacant chair,
the chair of his first.born, whereon none
had sat since his mysteries death or dis
appearance.
"Bairns," said he, 'did name O. We ask
the sailor to come up and take a bit O. din
ner WI us2"
"We are afraid it might lead to quar-
rel with Mr.. Johnson, whispered one of
his sons
"le is come without asking" replied
the stranger, entering and the wind
shall blow from new point if l destroy
the mirth or happiness of the company"
"Ye'er a stranger, young man." said
Peter, "or yo would ken ihiSis nomeeting
O. mirth-makers. But l assure ye, ye
are welcome, heartily welcome. Haste
ye, lassies," he added TO the servants:
''some O. We get chair for the gentle.
man" ss
gentleman, indeedr' muitered John
son between his teeth.
'Never mind about a chair, my hear.
lies" said The seaman; 'sIhis will dor'
AMI before Peter could speak to withhold
him he had thrown himself carelessly
into the hallowed, the venerated the twelve
years unoccupied CHAIR The spirit of
sacrilege uttering blasphemies from
pulpit could not have smitten congre-
lion of pious worshippers with horror and
consternalion, than this filing of the va.
cant chair the inhabitants OF Marchlaw.
Excuse me sir! excuse me, siri" said
Peter, the words trembling on his tongue;
''bui We canna-ye Gamma sit there2"
20 man. man!'' cried Mrs. Elliot, "get
out O thail get out o. thatl-take my
chair!-take any chair i the house,
but dinna sit there 1t has never been
sat in by mortal being since the death O.
nay dear bairn!-and to see it filed by
another is a thing Gamma endured"
''Sirl sir!' coniinu the father, 'ye
have done it through ignorance. and we
excuse ye. But that was my Thom ISIS
seat! Twelve years this very day-his
birth day-he perished Heaven kens howl
He went out from our sight like the cloud
that passed over the hills--never-never
to return. And, o sir! spare a fathers
feelings! for to s. e it filled wrings the
blood from my heaH!'' g. -fr
''Giye me your hand my worthy soull"
exclaimed the seaman; 81 revere-nay
hang it would die for your feelingsl-
But Tom Elliot was my friend, and cast
anchor in this chair by special commits.
sion. know that a sudden broadside of
JOY is bad thing; but as don't know
how TO preach sermon before telling
you, all have to say is-that Tom amt
dead"
"Not deadl'' said Peter, grasping the
hand of the stranger, and speaking with
an esgerness that almost ch1k d his Ut
terance; 30 siri sir! leli me howl-howl
Did ye say living?-Is my ain Thomas
iv' ng?"
mot dead, did ye sayl" cried Mrs.
Elliot hurrying towards him and grasp
ing his other hand--not deail And
shall | see my bairn again? OH may
the blessings O. Heaven, and the blessing
o broken hearted mother be upon the
bearer of the gracious tidings! But tell
mel-tell me, now is it possiblel AS you
would expect happiness here or hereafter,
dinna, dinna, dlnna, deceive me!
"Deceive you!' returned the stranger,
grasping with impassioned earnestness,
their hands in his. "Neveri neverl and
ali can say is, that Tom Elliot is alive
and hearty"
"No, nor' said Elizabeth rising from
her seat she does not deceive us there
is that in his countenance which bespesks
a Ialsehood impossible And she also
endeavored 10 move towards him when
johnson threw his arms around her TO
withhold her.
"Hands off ydu land lubberp' exclaimed
the seaman, springing towards them; "or
shiver me! I'll shew daylight through
your timbers in the turning Of hand
spike" And clasping the lovely girl in
his arms, Betty! Betty, my love!" he
cried, ''don't you know your own Tom2
Father, mother, dou't you know me!
Have you really forgotten your own son2
If twelve years have made some change
on his face, his heart is sound as ever"
His father, his mother aud his brothers
clung around him, weeping, smiling, and
mingling a hundred questions together.
He threw his arms around The nccks of
each, and in answer 10 their inquiries, re-
pliei-"WellI well! there is time enough
TO answer questions but not to-day, not
today"
mo my BARN." said his mother. swell
ask now no quesiions-nobody shall ask
ye any. But how-how were you torn
away from us, my lovei And, o hinny!
where oh where hae ye been?"
''Ii's long story, mother, and would
take week 10 tell it. But, however to
make long story short, YOU remrmber
when the smugglers were pursued, aui