The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-02-17

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in the midst Of the confusion, and when
they saw the apparently lifeless form of
their mother in a strangers arms, the
house rang with their shrieks
Mr.. Forest explained his position in as
few words as possible to the excited neigh.
bors, and carried bis wife into her own
| room.
You amt my father" exclaimed
Willie, his face burning with indignation,
as he gazed from the strangers rough
face to the pale countenance Of his mother
my father is dead and gone to heaven!"
Mary was less courageous than her broth
er, and although she did not venture to
speak, yet she watched the stranger with
considerable suspicion, as she obeyed his
orders for water and camphor to help re-
store her mother.
It was hours before Mrs Forest real.
lied that her husband was still alive and
ut her side. Four years had passed away
since he left her for voyage to South
America Little Mary was then three
years of age, while Willie was but an in.
fant in his mothers arms-Mr. Forest
lef; them with ample m-aus for their sup.
port for the year he intended to be absent
At the end Of twelve months, Mrs. Forest
received letter, stating that the ship
would sail for Roston Immediately. She
was expecting to see her husband every
day, when the news arrived that the ship
was wrecked of the coast of Florida and
all on board persisted. 1t was dreadful
blow to her, and her life from that time
up to the present had been one of sorrow
and suffering. .-..- -
When she was fully restored to con-
sciousness, that family meeting was joyful
beyond description. Tears Of Joy ran
down their parents cheeks, while the chill.
dren clapped their hands in delight at
fathers return" as they allayed their
hunger by eagerly eating the bread their
mother had brought for them.
Walter Forest gave his wife brief des-
cription Of his life since his shipwreck.
He Aoated nearly two days on piece Of
timber, and waa picked up by ship on
its way to the Paci6c.-Tsn months from
tnat time they went into port at Honolu.
10. BE found no chance there to return
directly home. and therefore went to Cal.
ifornia.-Wh,n he reached San Francis.
CO, he met an old acquaintance. who urged
him to 60 to the mines. He was very sue.
cesstul in mining, and lived on month af.
ter month, hoping that every steamer
would bring news from his family, A de.
sire for wealth and hope that they had
received the money he had sent, kept him
away from home.
| One night he dreamed be found his lit.
tie Mary starving to death in the streets Of
New York. He awoke, and the dream
made such an impress on on his mind that
he resolved to start Immediately for home.
He had already accumulated small for.
tune, and in the stiffness of that night his
conscience so reproved him for staying
away SO long that sleep forsook him. Three
days afterwards he was on board a steam.
er for Panama. He reached New York
but his wife and children were not to be
found. He learr ed that his brother.in.
law, William Brown, had moved to Bos'
ton, and he went accordingly to see him
and thus found his poyerty.stricken fam
lily. }, a....,
Annie had followed her brother from
New York to Boston, with hope that hs
would eventually render her some assist
ance, and thus her letters were lost. AZ
ter Walter had concluded his story, An
nie told him that she had parted with hel
wedding ring that day ,oprocurs the brsae
her children were then eating, Her hus
band shed bitter tears Of repentance, tina
he had, for the sake Of wealth, neglecte,
those whom he really loved better thai
life itself, but he resolved that the futur
. should atone for the past. A few hour
{ after his arrival, he had redeemed thsi
wedding.ring and procured comfortabl
meal for his wife and children.
, But few weeks intsrved before hi
family were settled in comfortable HON,
> surrounded by many Of the lu1uries, g
i we'll as the necessaries Of life. Ths
home seemed to Mrs. Forest like paradi,
I itself. ..-.
e A few weeks after his arrival, his brotl
5 er.in-lew, William Brown, sent note.r
questing him to call at his office. Walt,
e reluctantly went down to learn hi, bus
ness. ...
a Wslter," said Mr.. Brown, as he clos.
A. ,,..:.,. .oo,o door of,ar 4ko,, 4,