Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-09-12
CHAPTER V.

open door, sat Farmer Ashton and his good
wife patiently waiting for the appearance of
Betty to call them to tea. Jack, their work
boy, was out by the gate busily trimming
up beautiful rosebush whose branches
were bending low with its abundance offresh
blooming roses. "Poor, dear Frank, ," said
the cid farmer, with a tear trembling in his
eye. 81 fear he will never more behold his
beautiful rose tree, that he sat out there
with his own hand, when but little boy,
and which he guarded with the tenderest
care all his life, yes, wife, begin 70 think
that the sad news of the shipwreck is but
too true, and that we shall never more be-
hold our son, the joy and pride of our
hearts" 81 have long feared the same,"
replied his wife as a shade of sadness pass
over her face, "Ohl sad sad fate! thus to
perish with no kind friend around to SYM
pathize with him in that dreadful hour
And dear little Mabel, if she was only here
for US to love, I could bear our great trial
more patiently, but now they are both gone
forever, l fear. One month has passed
since Mabel left us, and then 1 could not
have believed the gentle creature could have
been parted from herlo home for week.
But she seems to have forgotten US entirely,
and has not even written to US to tell us
where she was"
"Yes 1 would dearly love to see her sun
ny face and hear her merry voice once more.
But I always thought the sweet creature
belonged to higher sphere than ours, and
you know not how being suddenly elevated
to wealth, and carried from lonely country
home to an elegant city mansion may have
acted upon her mind Young people al
ways love gay company and fashionable
life, and I persume the dear girl has passed
her time so pleasantly that she has never
once thought of her loving old parents who
so mourn herabsence." "Oh!I never could
have believed it of dear Mabel" and tears
of bitter sorrow for the two lost ones gush-
ed from her eyes. "What beautiful ca
riage," said the farmer as a splendid vehicle
dashed down the road and to their astonish-
ment stopped at the gate. Frank and Ma
bel sprang lightly to the ground and arm
in arm, proceeded toward the house. ''My
son, my dear son, and my dear lost Mabel"
said Mrs. Ashton, springing forth to meet
them and clasping them wildly to her breast ;
and her tears of sorrow were quickly turned
to those of JOY. The good old farmer en-
braced them warmly and joyfully welcomed
them to their home. "Ohl happy, happy
placep exclaimed mabel, and dear kind
friends, how much love you all, and how
happy l am once more to meet you all in
this blissful spot" Frank spoke not, but
his heart was full and tears glistened in his
manly eye. A joyous little company twas
that surrounded the teatable that afternoon;
and long after the sun had sunk to rest and
the beautiful moonlight was cast around
them did the joyous group sit out on the pi-
azza, talking of the many events that had
transpired since their long seperatiOn.-
Franks story was soon told,
They all arrived safely in the Indies, af
ter pleasant and fortunate voyage. Hav-
ing remained there ten months, meanwhile
engaged in trade,) they embarked again for
home, their ship ladened with the richest
kind of merchandise. After sailing peace
fully for three days, they were overtaken
by a Spanish feet, and were at once accused
as spies; and one of Frank Ashton's ship
mates was Charles Vincent. Vincent, seiz-
ing this opportunity for making small
sum, confessed directly that they were spies,
and that also the goods which they had in
their possession were smuggled and belong
ed to the Spaniards, and at once consented
{ to enlist with their crew and aid in securing
their captives. Captain Blakely and his
crew were accordingly taken to Spain, and
sentenced to Imprisonment and unceas-
ing toll for life. But Vincent again proved
traitor and ran away with large sum Of
money belonging to his new Captain. AT
ter remaining slaves for nearly year they
were proved innocent, and their liberty and
their ship restored to them, besides they
; were rewarded 1000 francs, each, for the
wrongs they had endured. With Joyful
/ hearts they set sail for home, where they
5 arrived in three weeks. As soon as Frank
5 found himself on shore, he hastened with al
speed to the dear ones at home. He reach
r ed the city Of D late at night, where
| he proposed to remain until morning
| Here he accidentally heard of the fate o
| Mabel, and instantly fastened to save her
: ''Yes, and you were just in time, my dear
: brave Frank" said Mabel; and that night
long after the good old farmer and his wifi
had blessed their two happy children, anC