Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-05-29

some Time, ana q deathiike silence
prevaded the apartment. At length
the sound ofa bell, striking the solemn
hour Of midnight broke the stiffness,
and as the last stroke died on the wind,
Mr.. Mason arose, and raped his cloak
around him, prepared to brave the
storm that still ragged with violence.
II do not like to distress you," said
he turning to his wife and daughter
"Lut l fear something unpleasant has
occurred to delay Charlie so long, /
will go to Mr.. Stanford, and SEQ If l
can obtain any information concern
ing him." and; he set out towards the
merchants residence. The family
had retired, and twas with somc diff
ficulty that he succeeded in rousing
any Of them. Mr.. Sanford, however,
after time appeared at the window,
quite angry at being disturbed at so
unreasonable an hour, and Mr.. Mason
enquired what time his son had left
the store that evening. 1ss
'sHe left the usual hour. but he had
a package to carry to Mr.--before
he returned home; but why do you
ask that?" rtas
"Because we have not seen Charlie
since early in the afternoon, and / am
confident something has happened to
delay him. and bidding Mr.. s. good
night, he turned his steps homeward,
where Annie and her mother were
anxiously awaiting him. sfgs9r
"Have you heard nothing of Char
lie?" asked Mrs. NJ, as he entered.
"Nothing," said he, she left the Of
fee at the usual hour with q bundle to
carry to a distant part of thecity, and
/ fear"-h here he paused, for he could
not trust his lips to utter the fearful
thought that arose to his heart.
sSpealx Albert, she said. ssI would
know what has befalleE him, ,',and
Annie's cheek, grew pale as she gazed
on her fathers serious countinence.
'Donot be alarmed my dear Mary,
answered he calmly, for he saw that
his wife was much agitated sperhaps
he has concluded to stay allnight with
his young friend Eugene Ray, as the
night is so stormy and the distance
home so long" She saw that he was
more uneasy than he chose to confess,
and as the blast howled around, and
the hail ratified upon the pavement,
she shuddered as she thought of her
boy exposed to that inclementweath
or. Through the long hours of the
night they waited and watched in
vain, and when the morning sun rose
clear and bright, every trace Of the
stotm had vanished, and Mr.. Mason
once more left his family to search
for the absent one, though he scarcely
knew which way TO direct his steps,
and though he endeavored to hope for
tho best, still q feeling Of dread op-
pressed him, which it was impossible
to shake off. As he was crossing one
ofthc numerous bridges that connects
tho "city" with the "Island," he OBJ
served several boys on the edge Of the
canal, one OF whom was endcavoring
to reach with long stick, something
dark that iloatcd on the surface Of the
water, and at length succeeded in his
attempt, and took it dripping from
the water.
"Why, it's nice cloth cap" said
he as no examined IL 'and it's Charlie
Masons too. declare"
''How do you know, EugcneY" ask
ed one Of his companions, while they
all eagerly gathered aronnd him.
"Because hero are the initials Of
his name and my own which ] mark
cd ON the lining myself last night. /
wonder how II could have got in the
canal" Mr.. Mason heard every word
distinctly, for they were not ten yards
from tho bridge, and Us tho last word
was uttered, hc sprang forward and
stood In tho midst. With u from
bling ghandhc took the capand instant
ly recognized Il. allow did Il got In
the canal, Mr. Mason9' said Eugene.
"Charlic passed. our houscln tho storm
last night and mother mndo him como
in and got himsclfdry aud warm, but
hc would not stay all night, he said
you would bo uncasy." As tho boy
ocascd spceking Mr.. Mason fell sense.
loss 90 tho Garth. and when ho rc.
covered he was nj homo lying on tho
sofa, with his wifc and daughter be.
aldo him. For u iow moments he
could not collect his scattered senses
sufficient to rcnlize the meaning of
those sad, fearful fhces, that bent over
him; but, OIL tho mornlng'a occur.
there on chair before him, was tho
dripping cap, ilIs wIld followed tho
direction of tho glanc, and after strug-
ling yaInly 10 control her feelings,
hurst Into teara, while Annie knelt
sobbing beside her. MARY" ssid he,
~ know IA Ia hard f,r ia M nn,d with