Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-04-02

during his absence, he knew not; but he
was anxious to learn something of the
fate of his mother, and of the fair being
to whom, in his youth, he had plighted
his vows of affection at the holy altar
He was prepared for the worst, for hope
had long been a stranger Of his bosom.
The Freebooter, on which frigate Jack
Wilson had been pressed, proceeded to
the East Indies-and it was not long be-
fore he attempted to redeem the promise
he had made of escaping from his thral-
dom. He was recaptured, and cruelty
aogged. He twice afterwards repeated
the experiment, but was unsuccessful
When he was apprehended the last time,
he was tried by court martial, and
sentenced to-be Fogged through the feet!
His defence,-that of being an AMERI-
CAN CITIzEN,-although urged with
much eloquence, did not avail him and
he was compelled to submit to this dread
full punishment, which is a refinement on
the cruelties inflicted by savages on their
captured enemies. For his repeated at
tempts to escape, he was regarded with
dislike By the officers, and was treated
with much wanton cruelty and oppres-
sion. When the Freebooter returned
to England, Jack was transferred to an
other ship, and in this manner had serv-
ed on board several of his Britannia Ma
jesty's vessels. He had been in several
actions by sea and land, and had received
a number of wounds; he had been sew
eraI times attacked with diseases incident
to tropical climate, among others by
cholera and yellow fever; he had been
subjected TO contumely and abuse, until
his kind feelings and affections were
paralysed within his bosom. At length
after having been severely punished for
some neglect of duty, he made his es-
cape from a sloop-of-war, while she was
| lying at anchor in Batavia roads, swan g
mile and quarter to an American yes
sci, in spite of the sharks which escorted
him on his way, was snugly slowed away
by the generous-hearted crew, until the
vessel sailed for New York, and had a
last returned to his native land, de
crepit, broken-down man-of-war's man
destitute of money, and even Of clothes
and, so far as he knew, without singh
friend in the wide world. But although
Jack Wilson was but wreck of hi
former self, his heart was as noble an
generous as ever.
Worn out with fatigue, Jack Wilso
reached the confines of the little villag
t in which he was born, about six o'cloc
f in the evening. The wind blew furiou:
" from the northeast, and a sever
f snow storm had commenced. Havin
, passed many years in warm climat
} and being but thinly clad, the wintr
l wind chilled his frame; but he trudge
I slowly onward, anxious to hear tidins
t of those dear ones whose memory |
j still cherished in the inmost recesses
0 his heart. When within a mile of Il
village, he was overtaken by a goo
# looking youth, who, seeing, from Jack
n RIG, that he was a sailor. and that he W;
G fatigued with travel, addressed him
: tones of kindness, and asked him ho
i far he was travelling.
To the next tavern said Jack.
have walked long distance to-day, al
e feel the need of rest and refreshment.'
II From your dress, you must be a sa
r, Or" said the youth. II always lik
n sailors, for my father was sailor; a
J. if you will go home with me, know I
ID mother will be glad to see you, and
" give you a supper and bed"
I'd "Where is your father p said JacE
"Oh," answered the kind-hearted Il
e " he died in the East Indies a good ma
years ago"
e. What was his name?" asked JAG
IN "Jack Wilson," returned the youth.
no " He was pressed on board an Engl
ul man-ofwar before / was born, and ney
lis returned
he Jack started as if bullet had entel
BY his breast This, then was his SON
Sc son of his beloved Katharine He gra
ar ed the hand of the youth, and cage
ne asked, "Your mother your moth
'ut what of her She is still living, you 6
us and where p
ad My mother" answered the boy, s
on prised at the manner Of his compani
no " "married again some years after my
nd theirs death, and now lives with her l
ger band, Mr.. Elwell, in yondcr W
ere house," pointing to large and handsc
Id, mansion, about a hundred rods furthe
- their path.
ith " Your mother married again y
ger claimed our weather beaten mariI
- " then" added he, in low tone, all