Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-11-07
MISCE Y.


The Soldiers Return--An Affecting Story.
During our tedious passage to the north re-
marked amung the siearage passengers man who
seemed to keep himself apart from the rest. He
were the uuiflrm OF the foot artillery, and speried
corporai's stripes. In the course Of the after
noon stepped before the funnel and entered into
conversation with him. learned tl4at he had been
an invalid and was sent home from Canada, had
passed the board In London, obtained pension oi
shllllug day, and was returning to border
yl.laUe, where he was born to ascertain whether
any vi family were living from whom he had
been separated for nineteen years. Ho casually
admitted that during this long interval he had held
no communications with his relations; and l set
hlui down accordingly aS some wild scaPegrace,
who had stolen from home, whose happiness his
Cllies had compromised too often. lie showed
me his discharge his character was excellent but
il only went To prove how much mems conduct
will depend upon the circumstances under which
they act. He had been nineteen years soldier
"a man ''under authority "-obedlent to an0th-
er's will. subseryienI to strict discipline. with
scarcely d free agency himset-a contented and
hlpp; 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 he had run riot
while h 6 means a ! wed it, las missed his pas
sape twice. and had, on the preceding evening
came ON board when not shilling remained to
waste in drunken dissipation. | desired tha the
pour roue should be supplied with some little
comforts during the voyage, and when we landed
NJ Berwick cave him trlfng sum to enable him
to reach his native village where, he had obtain
ed intelligence. some aged members OF the family
might still be found.
few evenings afterwards was sitting in the
parlur of one of the many little inns Visited while
rambling on The banks of the Tweed, when
the waiiress informed me that a ''soger was
sseorin' after the Colonel" He was directed Il
attend The presence, and my fellow voyager, the
ar,lllervman, en.erSd the chamber, and made his
military salute.
II thought you were at Jedburgb ?'
81 went there, sir, bat there had not been any
Of nv family for many years residing in the place
met an old packman on the road. and he tells
me there are some persons in this village of my
name. came here to make inquiries, and hear
inr that your honor was in the house, made
bold enough TO ask Tor you"
"Have you walked over Z"
Eyes, sir"
ITS lone walk. Go down and get some
supper before YOU commence inquiries"
The sader bowed and left the room and pres
emily the host entered to give me directions for a
a route among the chevoilS, which had contem-
plated to take the following day. mentioned
the soldier'S errand.
"Sure enough, ;" returned the host, there are
an auld dacen couple Of the name here. What
is the soger chilled Z"
"Wilham," replied for by that name his
discharge and pension bill were filled up.
"Pll Slip acruss the street to the amid folk, y
said Boniace. land ask them few questions"
The episode of humble life that followed was
afterwards thus described to me by my host.
He fIund the ancient couple seated at the fire,
the old man reading chapter in his Bible, as
was custom always before he retired to rest
The landlord exphined the object of the soldiers
visit, and inquired if any of their children an
swered the description of the wanderer.
''lt is our Jack 20 exclaimed the old woman
passonalely, land the puir ne'Or. do weel has
came hame to close his mother's eyes"
NO" said the landlord, 1.-The mans name is
Wolly"
Then he's nae our BARN." returned the old
man with heavy sigh
.\Yeel weel-lIis will be done!" said his
ne pnlale, WTnlng Get Olue ana iaQPu eyes W
heaven; II thought the prayer 50 often made
wud be granted, and Jack wud come hame and
Get my blessn' ere died"
"iIe has he has!" exclaimed broken voice,
and the soder,who had followed the landlord un-
perceived aud listened at the cottage OOr,rushed
ino the room and dropped kneeling at his moth
er'S feet. For moment she turued her eyes
with fixed and CLASSY stare upon the returned
wauderer Her hand was laid upon his head
Ler lips parted us it about to pronounce the prom
ised beSsing-but no sound issued, and she slow
ly leaned forward ON the bosom of her long lost
prodigal, who clasped her in his arms.
"Mither miher speak and bless met"
Alas the power speech was gone forever !!
JOY, like gtel, is often fa.al to worn out
frame.
The spirit had calmly passed away-the par,
ent had lived to see and bless her lust son. and
expire in the arms of one, who, with all his
faul 5 appeared to have been her earthly favor
ite"