The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-02-20

Tn the evening PrecedihS Auh'
early call, the afflicted parents received d ie'
ter from their boy, informing them that h'
should sail that day on three years voyas'
in one Of the best whaling ships which sail
cd upon the sea. r.,
The stern grief Of the father, the mor'
tender feelings of the mother. and the tear
of the sisters, all called forth the warmo'
sympathies on the part Of Aunt Polly.
At 6rst the old lady was somewhat o.
loss how to expires. her feelings.
"Do not take It 80 much to heart my good
neishbor. Fanny. dear. dry up your tears .,
Dom, weep, Ellen, my sweet child all VIII
end WELL" ..... ..-. a
But her Aunt Polly's eyes begun to over
aow. and putting her handkerchief up to
wipe them she ut once discovered the difh'
Guilty; the spectacles were on her forehead
She settled them at once.
"After all, JAY" she continued, 1--WE can
see the hand Of Providence in this. Billy is
fine lad, but little unsettled, you know.
This voyage will be just the thing Tor him.
And how fortunate that he has gone in that
ship. Such On excellent captain. Do you
remember widow Browns son, neighbour
"IIc did we'll, it must be confessed, " said
the blacksmith, Frightening upa little
"Did he 20 in that ship?'
"The very same" returned Aunt Polly.
"His mother almost broke her heart when
he went to sea but she told me the other
day it was tho greatest blessing she ever
experienced. lie came home 90 Industrious
and steady, and settled down just as she
wanted to have him.
But the danger, Aunt Polly, and the
hardships; just think Of that" said the still
weeping mother.
"True, neighbor. there is danger, but our
lives are in the hands Of our Maker. And
after oil there are but few lost considering
how many are engaged in that business
Do not think of that. but look forward to
the day when you shall welcome your dear
boy home again and find him so much i'm
proved that you will rejoice in the. present
trial In a good ship. with pious, con
scientious captain to look after him Ia" is
safe from any dangers which would asssil
him in this quiet village. Youth is season
for tcmpsition.n
"very true, wife" exclaimed the father,
rising IRON the chair in which he had do
spandingly sat himself down. "There are
worse dangers than those of the sea. Aunt
Polly has placed the matter before me in
new light and am disposed to be content,
and believe all things arc for the best
Come girls, dry your eyes and give us some
breakfast and then VIC will 60 to our usual
duties
The reviying chcerfulness Of the husband
had its full effect in restoring tho mothers
,omposure Fanny and Ellen sprang active
" up. and with the tears still upon their
cheeks busted themselves in preparing their
meal, but bolorc 1t was on tho table
smiles had mingled with their tears, and
with the buoyancy OF their youth they were
|ooaing forward to the happy return OF
which Aunt Polly had spoken
The broken stove now bee .me the subject
Of conversation, and the blac smith prom.
sed to attend to ita once, and pleasantly
that he would ask no pay except
. peep through Aunt Polly's spectaclcs oc-
when things went wrong
The % d old llly sml ID at this, as she
had often done before, and said "thcy were
good glasses and had belonged to
her maternal gran'lm,t ,ther;" and we'll
pleased to see her friends mpre cheerful than
v hen she entered, b.de kind good morn
ing to them and proceeded on her way.
Twill just look upon neighbor Simpson"
said Aunt Polly to herself. She sees a good
deal of trouble, poor soul, and kind word
wall do them good"
A dihpidatsd fence with dilapidated
gate, formed an entnlnce to still more
door. which Aunt Polly with
difficulty, contrived to open.
and made her way into the room where Mrs.
Simpson was generally to be found busy
with her needle. But she was not in her
accustomed place. and one Of half dozen
little ones who was playing in tho yard,
followed the visitor into the house and told
her in childish way that
"Mamma was up stairs. Poor father had
broken his leg, and mamrua had no time to
sew"
Up stairs went Aunt Polly. There, upon
q miserable bed. surrounded by few Of the
comforts of life lay the sufferer, and near
him stood the c,reworn, anxious looking
wife.
Her countenancc Frightened little ut
seeing Aunt Polly, but the husband covered
his face with his hands and groaned aloud.
III am griev d to hear Of your acciJ,nt.
my dear FRIEND" said the old lady, advanc-
ing to the b,dside, after kind pressure Of
the wifs's hand.
"All my own fault as usual, Aunt Polly
replied the man bitterly. "I only wis my
head had b.sn broken instead Of my leg.
Poor Mary would be better ID without INC" :"
'l have never said that or thought It
either, William, returned the wife reproach-
fully.
'Bat It is true, nevertheless, Mary. A
man who will lot strong drink make fool
Of him as too often do, Is a curse and not
blessing to his family. I should have
known better than to have gone up. that
crazy ladder, had I h cen in my sober senses.
|, is the first accident that has bsfallen me