Mountain Democrat., 1857-12-19

to hang upon his commander steps, with
a strange mixture Of devotion and fear.
DO you command this vessel" asked
the pirate leader of Captain Poole.
Yes, sir" replied Poole.
"Then of fcOursc you will make moo lIiec-
ton to my ovcrhauling your cargo, sir"
said the pirate with smile, "for you may
have some articles 10 which may take
fancy"
If ! am not mistaken" rcturcd Cap
tain Pool, "yOu will need no permission
from me, as ! am unable to resist"
"YOu show your good Judgement at
least, and if you lead the way, will look
at your cabin first"
AS the pirate captain spoke, he turned
to the companion-way, and was just Oh
the point Of starting for the calm when
his eye caught the eve of Adam Writ,
and at the sight he started back as though
hc had seen spirit frtm the other world.
The old man, too, seemed to he equally
startled, for as he gaZrd on the face of the
pirate, fearful treInor shook his whole
frame, and he gaSpcd for breath; the
bucanccr gaZcd into the working features
before him, and then STEPPED forward and
laying his hand trcmblingly on the old
man $ arm, said
"Tcll me, old man, from whence you
camc-tcll what name you bear"
Men call me Adam Writ" replied
the old man, half rccoiling from the touch
that rested OH him.
"tircat God, my father broke from
the pirate captains lips, and he would
have fallen OH the old mans bosom, had
he not put forth his hands to keep him
Oft.
"Thy father, repeated old Writ, mov-
ing back from where he stood, 'no. no, |
am not thy father. o God! once thou
mightcst have been my son, once ]
gazcd with a parents pride upon thy
features, and once called thee my son!
But-O Heavens! is this dream My
boy piratc!"
Father" still urged the pirate, follow
ing the old mans backward movement
Gown me as your son, and you shall"
No! away bloodthirSty man!
know thee not. q God! and is it thus
have found my boy:"
Listen to me one minute, my father"
exclaimed the pirate chief, in Il tone and
manner little in keeping with his vocation.
"rhcsc hands arc not stained with Il drop
Of blood; save where the flag Of England
has waved have not until thrprcScnt time
intrudcd 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. You shall receive no
farther trouble from me-"
The old man covered his face with his
hands and the deepest agony lwclt in his
bosom, and while he thus stood, the
pirate captain ordered his men to return
to their vessel. The gallant youth who
had followed his chief OH board the brig,
at this moment approached the spot where
Adam Writ stood, and clasping the old
mans hands in his own, he said
"Oh, sir, if you are the mans father,
speak to him one kind word. Smile upon
MIN and own him as your son. One word
from you may reclaim him from all his
errors"
Boy" uttered the old man, as he
gaZcd upon the pure and heavenly fra-
lures that were turned earnestly towoards
him, "you know not what you ask.
have left my home in search of my son,
but such as find him will never own
him. Back again will go, and alone will
travel my weary way through fife"
20, sir, think once more!' urged the
youth, seeming to hang every hope upon
the result of his plea. Zone fond greet
ing from hia father may yet reclaim him.
Speak, o, speak it! !"
"Ncver, never" uttered Adam Writ,
as he pushed the surpliant from him.
"Then the duty must still rest with
me" sadly murmured the youth, as he
turned away from the spot. ''Thc father
may cast him of, but cannot"
Frank, Mt this moment exclaimed the
pirate captain, ''come here. The Crap
plings are already cast oil, and We must
away. Not thing have molcstcd, and
shall leave with light heart Come"
AS the pirate chicttain spoke the youth
followed him quickly OH board the Schoon-
cr, and in few minutes afterwards the
brig was again on her way unmolcStcd.
Old Adam Writ returned to his home
in Boston, but that home was darker than
ever. lie had left in search Of his SOIL
he had found that son but he had left
him chief in command beneath a rovcr's
flag. But gradually, like some dim spirit
arising from the cloudy mist ofconsciencc,
arose the earnest appeals of that son, and
also the prayers of that gentle youth who
had urged fathers pardon for him. In
the secret rcccsscs Of his heart he could
but feel that he might have saved his boy.
The continued memory of that scene on
the deck of the brig sottcncd his heart,
but the feeling only made him more mis-
cradle.
X
The morning of the 2Sth August, 1912,
dawncd upon the city of Boston, and ere
the sun went down on that day, ten thou
sand hearts filled with joy and national
pride. On that memorable day the U. S.
frigate Constitution, under the command
Of brave Hull, entered the harbor of Bos.
ton, after q glorious victory over the
Gucrriere. The wharvcs and adjacent
streets were crowded with enthusiastic
people, and as the battle-scarred heroes
walked up from the landing, they were
hailed with tho loudest acClamations Of
thanks and joy.
Not far from tho landing to which the
first boat from the victorious frigate was
hauled up, stood Adam Writ. lie had
heard of the ships arrival, and with his
American heart Overunning with patriotic
impulses, he had dragged his feeble steps
down to bcstow his need Of praise upon
his cOuntry's heroes. One after another
of tho officers passed by, and while old
Adam was swinging his hat in the mir, he
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