The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-05-20


and question arose as to its disposition,
when Mr.. Jones, planter, suggested
that as the steamer was within thirty
miles of his estates, the body coiild be
taken to his burying ground, which was
situated within short distance of the
wooding place" where the steamer was
to stop. This was assented to by all,
and, soon after our arrival q. procession
was formed, Composed of every one on
board the steamer who could be spared
from active duty. Mr.. Jones had previ-
ously ordered grave to be dug-and
the procession moved off to perform the
last Offices man can perform for his fellow
man. The poor emigrant, who had left
his home in the green Isle, in the hope of
brighter future in the land of the stran-
ger, was laid in grave on the soil he
had hoped to till, and the procession re-
turned to the steamer. 1ndisposition
had prevented my taking part in the sol
cmn rites, but on the re-assembling of the
passengers | was close observer of
what transpired. The meeting was call
ed to order by one of the number. who
nominated Mr.. Jones as chairman. On
accepting the Office he briefly stated that,
with the assent of the assemblage, he
would take charge of the orphans and
rear and educate them. This proposition
was well received by all the passengers
except the stranger, who, during these
proceedings, had been sitting apart in
conversation with the little waits that the
act of God had cast upon the stream of
charity. Hastily loosening the arms of
the little girl from about his neck: he
stepped forward and addressed the group.
a have been forestalled," said he,
"by the gentleman who has made the
generous proposal to which you have just
listened. He has children have none.
have never felt the happiness of press
ing to my heart one of my own offspring,
and perhaps never may. | will take one
of these children, and here pledge my
| i0n6r to rear it with the same tenderness,
with the same watchful regard and un-
ceasing care, that | would were it my
own. Let me divide with your chairman
these gifts of Providence, will give him
the privilege which to take.
The silence which followed these re-
marks was broken by the little boy who
was old enough to comprehend the ma
ture of what was passing, and who had
been an eager listener to the words OF
the stranger and whose hand he now
seized in both his own.
"Oh don't take me from my sister, y
said he with emotion. "When father
died he said / must never leave her,
Let us both 90 with you. She loves me
very much, and father said, that in a lit
tie while, ] should be strong enough to
work for her, and / should dearly love to
do it, if | could. Don't take her away
from mel"
And the little fellows voice trembled,
and he looked imploringly into the stran-
gers face, who was melted to tears by
this appeal, with which was mingled the
Injunction that the father had uttered
when he was on the brink of the grave
I" You shall not be separated my little
fellow" said the stranger, "but shall re-
main here near the place where sleeps
your parent"
Then turning to the group, he address
ed it as follows:
II will relinquish my claim to your
chairman, but it must be on two condi-
tions. The first is, that he shall draw on
me or nv broker, annually, for one hall
of all the expenses which may be incur
red in the rearing and education of these
l-orphans, and here is the first instalment
of one hundred dollars"
al cheerfully assent to that" replied
Mr.. Jones. "What is the other"
"That if you should die, or circum-
stances prevent your continuing their
protector, they shall be sent to me-
81 also agree to that"
"Take them, then, and may God bless
YOU and them" said the stranger, as he
kissed the weeping orphans, who, in that
brief space of time, with the quick In
stinct of children, had learned how much
he was their friend.
The bell rang, planks were taken in
and ten minutes after the scene | have
described, the steamer was once again
putting on her course, leaving the little
ones and their new friend standing on the
bank of the river, and waving us theil
sorrowful adieus.
"Who is that gentleman Z" said | tt
one of the passengers, who | had drawn
apart, :.
"Why, don't you know him9 That il
Forrest, the tragedian' y