Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-01-17


o;.os 80 I'D to God be had died r exclaimed
e. - bmpson then would ] have
: y Ne wassin Haven but now. ner-
~ ~ ~ e. shuf9ete sauUuJ uE sfrSngers,
- 49, s5atu Hearts can seldom feel like
And then she gaye,Sent to her feelings
in tears. et.s .
He was lost, then p askeacharles IS
Yes, said Mr.. Thompson. z About
seventeen years ago, Mary and myself tray
cling north for the benefit of our health TO
visit some friends in New York citv took
with us our little Charles, who5was scarcely
four year old, and then our only child
We arrived there in safety, and after. stay
ing with our friends some time, set on our
return home. Anxious to prosecute our
Journeywe Immediately on our arrival took
the steamboat to proceed on. | wenB9so
see to the safety of the baggage, thinking
that Mary and Charles were in the cabin.
but what was my surprise, when on going
into the cabin sometime after to find Mary
there alone. She thought | had Charles
with me, and she swooned away when I
informed her | had not. We searched the
boat over, but no Charles could be found.
and then it struck us that he had wandered
on shore before the boat had left the wharf.
and consequently was left behind. How
narrowing were our thoughts to think
that every minute the distance was increas
ing between US and our dearly beloved
child. But there was thought still more
distressing. Perhaps he had fallen over
board, unseen, and vas drowned. However.
l determined on arriving in New Orleans
and leaving Mary with her friends and re-
lations, to return to Philadelphia and spare
no pains nor expense in trying to discover
his fate; but the great mental excitement
and bodily fatigue | had undergone threw
me into fever on the way, and it was sey-
eral months before | recovered. When I
did, and arrived in Philadelphia, no trace
could be discovered of our child, and never
since have we heard any thing concerning
him. But God be praised, Charles, he has
given us son in YOU
But Was there no mark BY which, he
could have been known if he had been left
behind, asyou first suppesed? asked Charles
eagerly.
Yes, there were scars of a dogs teeth on
his left wrist and besides he wore a locket,
birthday present from his father-around
his neck, with Charles engraved on it,
said Mrs. Thompson with tears in her eyes.
Then, father, MOTHER said Charles,
barring his arm and taking from his bosom
a locket, which he threw into Mrs. Thomp-
sons lap behold your long lost son.
For an instant they stood amazed-the
next they were locked in each others arms.
Then turning to Emma he for the first time
pressed her to his bosom as sister.
How different was his situation now from
what it was the day on which he first set
foot into New Orleans. Then he was poor
and friendless, with scarce a place to rest
his head-now he was wealthy, surrounded
by friends, and blessed with a fathers,
mothers and sisters love. He could claim
now what her noble father would not have
refused even to the poor youth, had he asked
it-Helen's hand and even her proud
mother would not object to receiving for
her son-in-law, the heir of the richest mer-
chant in New Orleans.
Mirth and music resounded throughout,
and gladness reigned predominant in the
splendid mansion of Mr.. Merton 1t was
the birth-night party of his beautiful and ac-
cOmplished daughter Helen, given on her
nineteenth birth day, and the magnificent
saloons were thronged with the youth, beau
ty and elite of the metropolis. All paid
homage to her fascinating charms. Nor
beneath their fervent congratulations did
there lurk aught ofmalice or envy; for the
sweet disposition and gentle manners of
Helen Merton had won the good will of all
who knew her. And now as she replied
to their warm-h hearted wishes, she looked
more beautiful than ever She was attired
in plain white dress, looped with roses
and fitted exquisitely to her finely moulded
form her shining chestnut curls were con
fined by a costly diamond head-band, that
sparkled on her forehead, rivaing the trans
parent beauty and clearness other complex
ion.
At times, when she would mingle in the
giddy whirl of the dance, smile would
play upon her lovely features; but whcr
over, melancholy expression would steal
into her laughing eye, telling something
was yet wanting to complete her happiness
] She was thinking, perhaps, how he, VIII,
many years ago had won her maiden love
, might, while she was surrounded by wealth
! ! and luxury, be dragging out the prime o
4 his life in poverty and distress. Yes sh
: still remembered the companion of he
childhood. Such is woman's constanc,
. and love- Alas, that it should be so oftei
abused
J The evening was somewhat advanced
= when Mr.. Merton approached Helen, locke
J arm in arm with young man, whose dar
= countenance, raven hair and eyes, and tal
;. straight form indicated native of tn
:, south.
'Mr. Thompson of New Orleans, m
> DEAR said Mr. Merton.
. And then after conversing few moments
he sauntered to the opposite side of the 81
Loom
- who is that handsome young man 20
= Just now introduced to Helen |? asked Mr.
- Merton of her husband.
:, 'Thati is Mr.. Thompson Of New Orlean
: the richest merchant in that city. and b
% .. father was before him. He arrived hel