Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-12-22
"What's this ? what's the meaning of this a''

he now demanded, looking fiercely at us.
'sWell, if that is acting, it is the best ever
saw, - mnttered my companion, as we fastened
forward and gave hurried account of all that
we knew of the matter.
sMerciful Providence is it possible ~ said
the man, looking alternately at us and at the
fair creature in his arms, and clasping his fore
head if to collect his scattered senses.
s'Mary 20 he continued, at short intervals; s'my
wife my dear wife, And my mother too !!
Starving ~
He continued to repeat these expressions
like one overpowered by some terrible shock,
and who knew not what he was saying; while
we stood looking on, too much aStonished 10
think of offering him any assistance.
At length, with sort of gurgling gasp, the
poor creature opened her eyes and looking
wildly and fondly into the manly face of him
who supported her, she murmured:
ssCharles Charles! is this you in life-in
death-or in dream ~
pass over the wild, frantic, passionate ex-
clamations on both sides, each began to
alise the truth-the that he had found a
loving wife in the depths of misery-the other
that she had reganed 4 fond husband at the
moment of all others when she most needed
his aid, counsel. love, and support.
s'Come," !" whispered my friend, touching my
arm, sslet us withdraw; their meeting should
be sacred from the intrusion of strangers"
Though deeply curious to know something
Ol lucII HlSlOEk. silently dCIulCSCcu III HIS
proposal; and quietly departing, we returned
to our hotel, musing upon the uncertainties,
yicissitudeS and romance OF life-
Two days after, as | was sitting on the
piazza of the hotel, saw the sailor passing
along the street, and curiosity prompted me
to address him. The moment he saw me, he
came bounding up, grasped my hand, and burst
into tears.
ssHeayen bless YOU ~ he exclaimed, in a
choking voice; s'Heaveu bless you and youl
friend and so says Mary. I've been hunting
for you all over the city, sir, but feared I'd
never see you again. Here let me pay you
back your money and will you be so kind,
sir, as to accept these two rings for yourself
and friend %
j took the money-for saw if did not he
would feel very much hurt but fearing his
circumstances might not justify him in max
ing present of SO much value, attempted to
decline the rings. 1t was of no use-he would
take no denial-and so l reluctantly accepted
them, thanking him in behalf of my friend,
who was absent. | then drew from him his
story, which will give in few words.
He and his wife were both natives of 4 small
village on the Avon, and had often played to-
gether as children. His own father was then
in good circumstances, but subsequently lost
his property and died soon after, leaving HIM
self and mother 10 struggle along as best they
might.
Among those believed to be friends in pros
| perity, but who forsook them in adversely, was
the father of his present wife but though
change of fortune separated the youth and
maiden, it only increased an attachment which
had begun in childhood.
For years. however, they did not meet and
during that time the narrator became a sailor,
and acquired sufficient means to purchase a
| cottage for his mother, leaving a small balance
| on mortgage, which his next voyage was to
| clear off. While at home, he and his Mary a.
ara1r srTn of al osSin
and knowing her parents would not consent to
| the union but were most anxious to ally her
| to wealthy suitor, they took advantage of an
opportunity, and were privately married.
Charles Delaine, for such was his name,
then took leave of his wife, and shipped for a
whaling voyage. intending it should be his
last cruise. While absent, his wife's parents,
discovering the secret of her marriage, DIS
| owned and drove her forth, and she took refuge
| with his mother.
| Together the widowed mother and wife
| struggled along, anxiously looking for the re-
| turn of their only friend but he came not at
the time expected, the mortgage was fore
! closed, the property sold; and almost penni-
less, they repaired to Bristol hoping to be able
! to maintain themselves by the needle.
! need not prolong the story-it is an old
| tale. Sickness and misfortune followed them,
| they failed to procure sufficient work for their
| necessities, and on the night when the wife
/
! ton. Charles had just returned from his
| cruise, aud at the very moment when his Mary
! so unexpectedly met him, he was thinking of
home, which he expected to reach the next
| day. He had been prudent, the voyage had
| been more than usually profitable, and his
share, he said would enable him to start in
| business.
s.Come what will he concluded, ,''I'll never
| leave my dear mother and Mary again, while
we live. They're happy now, thank God and
| it shall be the aim of my life to keep them so''
He urged me to come and see him and his
now happy family, and bring my friend and
! then invoking upon US the blessing of Heaven
he wrung my hand, and turned quickly away,
| to conceal the emotions he cared not to dis
| play.
ssAh, such is life, in this world of selfish
| and unselfsh humanity" unused L, as / watch
! ed his retreating footsteps, till a turn in the
street concealed him from my view. We
never met again.