Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-03-07
a Touching story of Filial
Love.

The following most remarkable and
beautiful instance OF 6Iia affection
appeared in the Herald of Lima, (Pe-
ru, to which II was communicated
by the Alcade OF Calao. A man
who can read it without tears must
be debased indeed -
GeHtlemen-There having passed
in my Office Justice Of the Peace) a
scene Of great interest, and most
rare at any time aud place, | cun not
refrain from communicating the same
to YOU, believing that you will con-
cur with me in the opinion that an
act so humble, and worthy Of the
best qualities of human nature, de-
serves to be commemorated by means
Of the press.
About eight o'clock this morning
a lumultuous assembly Of people in
,aded my house, bringing in with
them venerable looking man. They
inquired for the justice. On deman-
ding OF them the reason of this Sc
mI-rIotous collection, they all began
TO speak at once, so that | was for a
time unable to comprehend what was
the real state of the case Having.
however, at last obtained silence, the
old man addressed me thus
" MIR. Alcade. having buried my
wife, mother Of these four lads, or
/ dered this one, named Jose Maria, to
Ia he charge of the other three boys,
/ VINO hHsO ~I.s@Jy- ".als choice vf
their elder brolher's profession.-
These two, Antanaco and Dioniso,
are both married the youngest, al
though single. supports himself 10y
his labors as fisherman. Ever since
the mother Of these boys was taken
away from me, have been living
with my elder son, ia the interior but
have never failed to receive care and
attention from the other three. De
srous Of coming to Callao, Jose Ma
ria wrote to Julian in order that he
should provide for me-which in
junction has given oiense to Anlan-
aclo, who declares that being the sec
ond son, the future care Of me be-
longs Of right 10 him. | would like
to divide myself into four parts, so as
to give to each Of my children a por-
ton Of my body, but, as that can not
be, we have come before you, Mr..
AIcade, in order 10 decide which of
these young men is to be preferred" "
The father had hardly finished
speaking when the generous dispute
commenced.
Antanacio, the second son, said
that his father having been hitherto
living with his elder brother, it was
now his turn TO have possession Of
him by order of birth Dionlsio con-
leaded that his brother Atanacio
could not be with his father because
he had a great deal to do and could
not give their father the attention he
required. The fourth son, Julian,
represented that it properly belonged
to him to support his iather, as he
was the youngest and unmarried.
In truth | knew not what to re-
solve, my heart was so affected by
the extraordinary picture presented
TO me. As contemplated this scene
in silence, the old man, Clemenle,
asking my PERMISSION to speak, said :
" My dear children, my heart over
flows with satisfaction in Witnessing
your disputes respecting which of
/ you shall take charge of your old ia
Iher. | would gladly give content to
/ you all-and therefore propose that |
be permitted TO breakfast with one
dine with another-sleep in the
house of the thlrd--and thus keep
changing from day to day; but il
you do not consent TO this, let his
honor, the Judge, determine what
shall be done with me.
The Young men unanimously re-
jected this proposition, because, they
SAID, their father would lead an err
rant, unquiet life. | then proposed
to write on separate pieces of paper
the names of the sous, and let the
decision of chance settle the ques-
ton. While wrote these papers
and doubled them and put them into
the hat of Clemente, which served
as a ballot-box, a dealh-like silence
prevailed, and there was plainly to
be seen expressed in the counte-
nance of each of the sons his hopes
of being the lucky receiver Of the
desired prize. The old man put his
,remulous hand into the hat and
drew out the name of Antanacio,
the second son My friends, | hard
ly know how to express TO you the
new scene which then broke in up