Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-11-20
SELECTED grAL E (.
THE SOLDIERS RETURN.
AN AFFECTING STORY.

AN AFFECTING STORY.
DURING our tedious passage to The
north. ! remarked among the seerage
passengers, a man who seemed to keep
himself apart from the rest. He wore
the uniform of the Foot Artillery and
sporled a Corporal's stripes. In the
course Of the afternoon, ] stepped be-
fore the funnel and entered into con-
vefsalion with him, learned that he had
been an invalid and sent home from
Canada, had passed the Board in Lon.
don, obtained pension Of shilling a
day, and was returning TO a border
village. where he had been born, to as.
certain whether any Of the family were
living, from whom he had been sepnrat.
cd for nineteen years. He casually ad.
mitted, that during this long interval he
had held no communications with his
relations and | set him down accord
ingIy as some wild scapegrace, who had
stolen from home, whose happiness his
follies had compromised too often. He
showed me his discharge his character
was excellent-but il only went 10 prove
how much mems conduct will depend
upon the circumstances under which
they act. He had been nineteen years
soldier-a man under authority
obedent to another's will, subservient
to strict discipline, with scarcely free
agency himself, and yet conlented and
happy man. He returned home his own
master, and older by twenty years.
Alas it was fatal free agency for HIM,
for time had not brought wisdom. The
steward told me that he had run riot
while his means allowed it, had missed
a passage twice, and had on the pfcce.
ding evening come on board. when not a
shilling remained to waste in drunken
dissipation. | desire that the poor rdme
should be supplied with some little COM
forts during the voyage-and when we
landed at Berwick. gave him trilling
sum to reach his native village, where
he had obtained vague intelligence that
some Of the aged members Of the family
might still be found;
A few evenings afterwards, | was sit.
ting in the parlor Of one Of the many
little inns | visited while rambling on
the banks OF the Tweed, when the
waiteress informed me that ssger was
speerin after the Colonel. He was
directed TO attend the presence, and my
fellow voyager, the Artilleryman, enter.
ed the chamber and made his military
salasm.
III thought you were now at Jehburgh."
81 went there sir, but there had not
been any Of my family for many years
residing in the place. met an old
packer on the road, and he tells me there
are some persons in this village Of my
name. | came here 10 make inquiries,
and hearing that your honor was in the
house, | made bold enough to ask fol
you"
Shave you walked over I"
"Yes sir"
"Tis a long walk. Go down and &c,
some supper before you commence in.
quiries."
The soldier bowed and left the room
and presently the host entered to give
me directions for q route among the
Cheviots which had contemplated to
takethe following day. mentioned the
soldiers effand.
"Sure enough" returned the host
there are an auld decent couple Of thu
name here. What is the soger called =
5"William," | replied /; for by thai
name bis discharge and pension bill
were Fixed up. '.et"
HFA slip across the street to the ault
olks"sald Boniface, "and ask them few
questions"
The episode Of humble life that follow
cd was afterwards thus described TO nj
by my host. 5lls. a
sHs found the ancient couple seated a
the fire, the oldman rsading chapte
in his Bible, as YVES his custum alway
bsfoss he and his aged parent retired 70
the night to rest. The lsndIord explain
ed sthe object Of the soldiers visit, ant
ilqpiTsd,if any Of their children answer
ed the description Of the wandetef. Z
at Il our lack r. exclsimed the ol,
wSmsn psssionately, .and the puir nee
.ssn ,S-~ia MIL eyN g4sNi ~ Z.