Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-12-24
Ehe DisODediellt Boy.

Archibald Alday was the son of wild
ow-her only child. Though not un-
kind to his mother in other respects, he
sorel y afflicted her by making up his
mind to 20 to sea. Yes . though he
knew his mothers heart was wrapped
up IN him, he was set on the sea, and to
the sea he was determined to 90. Not
being able to get his mothers consent he
started off one night ter she had gone
to bed, with MS bundle in his hand, and
took the road to a seaport town.
1t was not long before Archy was re-
ceived on board the Mary Anne, being a
well-iormed lad, and likely enough to
turn out good seaman.
1t was all very pleasant to Archy, to
see the sailors move about the ship, set
ting and furling the sails; to watch the
shining waters of the heaey ocesn; and
to gaze on the playful porpoises, and the
stormy petrcls. SO long as these things
were new to him, and so long as no acct
dents occurred, he was tolerably happy;
but after while, the captain. the mate.
and even the seaman treated him rough.
iy.
If Aschy Alday lad been strengthened
blythe feeling that he was doing his duty,
he might have borne all, and more than
all he endured, without murmur, but
conscience made him a coward. My
sou, says the wise man, hear the instruc-
ton Of thy athcr, and forsake not the
law OF thy mother. Prov. |, 8. At
Ipst storm arose; It wls a dark day for
Areay Abby, when tae thunder ro....cG
aw.rily, and the lightning flashed fear
fully across the big clouds; for he felt
that there was a Cod in heaven, wto
could bring heavy punishment down
on his head, Often and often the dyin,
words Of his father seemed to ring in his
ears Stay at home Archy, and take
care of your mother.
The masts began to crack, and the
sails were rent by the bowling tempests,
as 1t swept over the m untainous b llows
of the raging ocean. Two sailors We're
blown from the yards, but no help could
be given them; another, who had fallen
MANNED on the deck, with great difficult
ty was carried below. Suddenly the
ship received stunning blow; she had
struck on a rock beneath the waves. A
loud cry was raised by the crew; the vessel
had sprung a leak, and the water was
fast pouring into her hold.
Soon after this the ship went to pieces,
and almost all the scamen perished; but
Archy and few more had got into the
boat, where they were tossed about on
the heavlnS ocean for a day and night.
without food, miserably cold and drench-
ed with rain to the skin. .trchy wished
thousand times that he was sitting by
the arm chair, With his mother.
The next day the storm abated, and
they we.e picked up by merchant ship;
but he passed through many privations
and dangers before he again set his foot
On old England.
With sorrowtul heart he proceeded
IN his journey to his mothers cottage
He had thought to find pleasure on ship.
BOARD, and to return home laden with
gold; but he met with little beside dan.
,er and trouble, and was at last return.
ng home without shoe or stocking on
lis feet.
As Archy limped along the rough
DAD, the stones hurt his feet, but his
orrowiul thoughts hurt his hearta great
leal more.
Archy Alday was poor rroligal re-
urning home broken down in his spiljt.
nd bitterly repenting of his evil ways,
nut he had no forsivins father to run
ut and fall on his neck and kiss him,
nd welcome him home, and put ring
n his finger, and feast him with fatted
a,f!
When Archy come withing a few miles
t his native village, the farm houses, the
ottages, and many of the trees were we'll
nown to him. Now and then, too, he
Nv laboring men at work in the fields,
+ met one in the lanes whom he knew;
ut he himself was so latered, that he
assed on without being known, heav;ns
sigh. Il