Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-11-04


articles to which 1 may take fancy
"IfI am not mistaken,'' returned Captain
Poole, ssyou viii need no permission from me,
as am unable to resist
ssYou show your good judgment at least,
and if you lead the way, will take look at
your cabin frst.''
AS the pirate captain spoke, he turned to
the companion-way, and was just on the point
of starting for the cabin when his eve caught
the eye of Adam Writ, and at the sight he
started back as though he had been a spirit
from the other world. The old man, too,
seemed to be equally startled, for as he gazed
on the face of the pirate, fearful tremor shook
his whole frame, and he gasped for breath
the buccancer gaZed into the working feature
before him, and then stepped forward and lay
| ing his hand tremblingly on the old mans arm,
said
ssTell me, old man, from whence You came
tell me what name you bcar.''
'sMen call me Adam Wirt,'' replied the old
man, half rccoiing from the touch that rested
on him.
s'Great God, my father!' broke from the
| pirate captains lips and he would have fallen
on the old mans bosom, had he not put forth
his hand to keep him off.
ssThy father,'' repeated the old man. NOV
| ing back from where he sood, s.no, no, I am
not thy father. o God ONE thou mfght,st
have been my son; once gaze' with parents
| pride upon thy features, and one l called thee
my son !-But-O Heaven is t.is dream 2
Ny boy pirate
sFather," still urged the pirate. following
the old mans backward movements own me
as your son, and You SHALL
..No! away, bloodthirsty man low thee
not o God and is it thus l have llnd NV
boy 20
:sListen to me one minute, my fathe', ex-
claimed the pirate chief, in a tone and INNER
| little in keeping with his vocation. ss1ese
| hands are not stained with drop of blol
save where the flag of England has waived tn
have not until the present time, intruded upol
any deck but my own. How now, though
have gold in my lockers, am in want of bread
| yet will leave you and go in peace. Yor
shall receive no further trouble from me.''
The old man covered his face with his hands
and the deepest agony dwclt in his bosom, ant
while he thus stood, the pirate captain ordered
his men to return to their vessel. The gal
Iaut youth who had followed his chief on boarC
the brig, at this moment approached the spo
where Adam Writ stood, and clasping the olC
mans hand in his own, said
s:Oh. sir, if you are the mans father, speal
: TO him one kind word. Smile upon him anC
own him as your son. One word from you may
reclaim him from all his crrors.'
aBoy., uttered the old man, as he gazed u
non the pure and heavenly features that were
turned earnestly towards him, s;you know o
what you ask. l have left my home in scare
of my son, but such as 1 find him will neve
own him. Back again will L go, and alon
will l travel my weary way through lIte."
go, sir, think once more - urged the you'll
seeming to hang every hope upon the result {
, his plea ssOne fond greeting from his fathe
NAV vet reclaim him. Speak, o, speak it -
eNever, never" uttered Adam Writ, as b
/. pushed the supplant from him.
ssThen the duty must still rest with me,
= sadly murmured the youth as he turned ava
t from the spot. ssThe father may cast him oi
but l cannot"
r ssFrank.'' at this moment exclaimed the p
n rate captain, :scome here. The graplings al
already off. and we must away. Not thin
here have molested, and / leave with ligl
: heart. Come"
/. As the pirate chieftain spoke the youth TO
! lowed him quickly on board the schooner, al
V in a few minutes afterwards the brig was aga
j. on her way unmoested.
d Old Adam Writ returned to his home in Bo
It ton, but that home wac darker than ever. L
n had left in search of his son-he had foul
d that son; but he had left him chief in col
n mapd beneath a rover's flag. But gradual
e like some dim spirit arising from the clou'
= mist of conscience, arose the earnest appeal
J. that son, and the prayers of that gentle you
who had urged a fathers pardon for him.
,e the secret recesses of his heart he could
l. feel that he might have saved his boy.
g continued memory of that scene on the deck
(. the brig softened his heart, but the feeling Q
E. ly made him more miserable.
E. The morning of the 2sth of August, Isl
n dawncd upon the city of Boston, and ere
,p sun went down that day, ten thousand hea
re thrilled with joy and national pride. On u
I'd memorable day the United States frigate Ce
IN stitution, under the command OF the ORA
n Hull, entered the harbor of Boston,aiter
on rious victory over the Guerrero. The whar'
ne and adjacent streets were crowded with entf
a siastic people, and as the battle-scarred nero
to walked up from the landing, they were eve
n where hailed with the loudest acclamatlons
thanks and joy.
he Not far from the landing to which the
hoo, from the victorious frigate was hauled