Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-07-04

latest arrival !! what joy does he manife
in every look and act, if the ship is safel
in harbor, and all is well Watch, agair
that father: how different his appearing
as he reads the account Of the awful wrec
of "a ship containing his joy, tue hope Q
his declining years, an only son, who lie
buried beneath the oceans wayei Folio,
him to his now shadowed home, to tell
fond mother the sad sad tidings-io unfoi
to loving sisters and endeared friends tn
fearful fact
! Many narratives of such type could b
written and would it not be far better i,
its tendencies to lay before our sea-1esirin,
youth such facts for pcrusal, rather ;hal
the peruicious matter, which now constit
utes vast portion Of the literature Of ou
nautical adventures, much Of which ha:
been concocred i'll the heated brains Of those
who know little or nothing of sea life
BY such productions, many youth are led
to fOrcgo all the attachments Of home for
- life CT the oceans wave
/ a home h. aoARI>G teen,
Whrr- the bounding waters rave
Aud the Winds thsir rcsel- ksepi"
Many thus depart from happy homes, and
spend their lives as wanderers. Others.
looking in vain for the sympathy and ten
derness they fJndly desire, seek = refuge
from sorrow and disappointment, aud thus
also depart. "Tls home where'er the
heart is" and if the heart seeks in vain
in the family circle the affection it Graves,
it will seek i, far from home and kindred.
Happily, as in the case about to be nara
ted, after years of toll and danger the wan
derer Is some times restored to family, to
virtue, aud to usefulness.
WILLIAM OsBoRNE's father was prea.
cher Of the Gospel, located in furnishing
town upon the western coast of the Allan
tic ocean. Their residence here bad been
brief, having formerly resided upon river
town some distance inland Wllliam had
always Wish Ioi sea-Iie, wniCn inuIeaseu
in their new home near the ocean. He
decided that his time should in future be
principally occupied in riding smoothly
upon its calm waters, or sailing Ger its
majestic waves when tossed to and fro by
the angry tempest. He WIS u..---I,. sc
a mild, generous disposition but, early
oeP.i--I Of mothers watchful care, he
easily fell into many youthful follies, some
of which he would have escaped had he
been thrown under proper influences. His
father lacked deSisior, bis generous heart
led him into the extreme Of indulgence
while an unhappy, 'yrannlcal step-mother
made hcme anything but attractive.
Who can estimate the number of voya-
ages this youth in imagination performed,
whiie lying sleepless upon his pillow after
the labors and trials of the day were erdedY
How strange thing is the soaring Of
mind, when urged in the path of strong
desire How rapidly will all obstacles of
dang r, all uncertainties Of result, be lost
to view, while health, prosperous voyages,
and safe returns will alone be found upon
the panorama passing before the mind .
Shipwreck, disease and loss are not visible,
even upon the background.
He sought every means in his power to
obtain information concerning the sea.
From some quarters, he obtained eucour
agement Others urged him to drown such
thoughts and intentions, placing before him
its mauy hardships, its strong temptations
to evil, its uncertainties, and its imminent
danger to life. Yet TO sea, in opposition
to all his father could say, his sisters fee
lings could express, or friends could urge
to the contrary, he must 90. His relatives,
finding all their Efforts unavailable, were
compelled to witness his departure.
Alone, with his koapsack upon his arm,
after bidding bis friends adieu, he started
for the harbor where a whaling ship was
awaiting orders to depart for the coast of
Greenland. Considering his attachment,
u stranger to his home would think him
devoid of feeling, as he left without 4 tear.
But ho was not unfeeling; his grief was
severe. A father whom he loved. precious
sisters, he was leaving, perhaps never to
meet again. His parting kiss was the
of love, his last look towards
them one of deep concern and sorrow. This
trial was only overcome bythe strong hope
that the future would reward him for his
present Undertaking. While awaiting the
departure of the vessel, excitement, and
new scenes, conforming with his taste, kept
him in good spirits.
All in readiness, the crew were finally
let loose upon the vast expanse of water,
then calm and peaceful. In behclGing
the sight, who would think that mighty
sheet, now without wrinkle or sean, could /
be whirled about with such force as to tear
to atoms strong towers, built of the most I
substantial productions, as that splendid
piece OF workmanship, just starting forth
upon its outward voyage yet more power