The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-08-27

IS become Ihe proprietor OF the large estat
e lishment which he had entered as an el
e rand boy, Mr.. Thompson having retire
8. from business.
d One evening he was sitting engaged
1t familiar conversation with the fami,
); when Mrs. Thompson, after looking stead
: fastly at Charles for some time, remark
!! ed how very much Emma and he resem
n bled each other.
Yes, said her husband, 4 have ofte
observed it-they look as much alike a
, though they were really brother and sis
ter. Our Charles, poor little fellow
could not have been more like Emma
: Your Charles? l never knew you hac
any other child than Emma, said Charles
when did he die?'
Would to God he had diedp exclaim
ed Mrs. Thompson; then would | have
known he was in Heaven, but now, per
hapS, he is bufeted about by strangers
who can seldom feel like paren ts.'
And then she gave vent to her feeling;
in tears.
He was lost then?' asked Charles.
Yes said Mr.. Thompson; about sew.
enteen years ago, Mary and myselftravel.
ling north for the benefit of our health
and to visit some friends in New York
city, took with us our little Charles, who
was scarcely four years old, and then our
only child. We arrived there in safety,
and after staying with our friends some
time, set out on our return home. Anx.
ious to prosecute our journey, we imme-
diately on our arrival at Philadelphia took
the steamboat to proceed on. | went to
see the safety of the baggage, thinking
that my Mary and Charles were in the
cabin, but what was my surprise, when,
on going into the cabin some time after,
| found Mary alone. She thought | had
Charles with me, and she swooned away
when | informed her that had not We
searched the boat over, but no Charles
could be found, and then it struck us that
he had wandered on shore before the boat
left the wharf, and consequently was left
behind. How narrowing were our tho'ts!
to think that every minute was increasing
the distance between us and our dearly
beloved child! But there was a thought
still more distressing. Perhaps he had
fallen overheard, unseen, and was drown
ed, However, l determined on arriving
in New Orleans, and leaving Mary with
her friends and relations, to return to
Philadelphia and spare no pains or ex-
pense in trying to discover his fate, but
the great mental excitement and bodily
fatigue had undergone, threw me into a
fever on the way, and it was several
months before recovered. When did,
and arrived in Philadelphia, no trace
could be discovered of our child, and new
er since have we heard any thing CON
cerning him. But God be praiSed,' he
continued, He has given us son in you,
Charles
But was there no mark by which he
could have been, if he had been left be-
hind, as you first supposedl' said Charles,
eagerly.
yes, there were sears of dogs teeth
on his left wrist, and, besides, he wore
locket-a birthday present from his faith
er-around his neck, with Charles en-
graved on it, said Mrs. Thompson, with
tears in her eyes.
Then, father, mother said Charles,
barring his arm, and drawing from his
bosom locket, which he threw into Mrs.
Thompson's lap behold your long lost
son.
For an instant they stood amazed-the
next they were locked in each others |
arms. Then turning 10 Emma, he. for the
irst time presented to his bosom a sis,
ter.
How different was his situation now
from what it was the day on which he first
set his foot in New Orleans. Then he
was poor and friendless, with scarce
place to rest his head-now he was
wealthy, surrounded by friends and bless
ed with father, mother and sisters love.
He could claim now what her noble ia
Their would not have refused even to the
poor youth, had he asked it-Helen's
hand; and even her proud mother would
not object to receiving for her son-in-law,
The heir Of the richest merchant iii New
Oaleans.
X 4 II
Mirth and music resounded throughout,
ind gladness reigned predominant in the
splendid mansion of Merton. 1t was the
birth h-pight ball of his beautiful and ac.
daughter, Helen, given on her
birth day, and her magnificent
saloons were thronged by the youth, +
beauty and elite of the metropolis. All.
paid willing homage to, her faciba
charms. Nor beneath their feryent
yratulatons did their lack a)ight of
'r envy; for the sweet dispositi0
gentle manners of Helen Morton
he good will of all who knew hz
low as she replied to their warm
wishes, she looked more beaudI
'ver, She was. attired in plqd
lress, looped with roses, and Il
luistely't to her finely mounted form
Inning chestnut curls were confined
! costly diamond head-band, that spa
lied on her forehead, rivting tho transpa
'ent beaaly and clearness of her match
ess comGkxon.
t =. |
At tim hen she would mihgle in the
yiddy " he dance, "a smile would
,lay upd Ryely features; but; but.
oily expression would
teal into neye }, telling some