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

courSed rapidly down ms furrowed cheek.
He pressed the hand which he held in his,
to his lips-seized his hat, and rushed
madly from the room. AS he pursued
his way towards the village Westinghouse
the steeple of which could be seen in the
distance, he sobbed aloud.
Simeon Elwell and his wife we're as
tonished at the conduct of the stranger
They feared that he labored under de-
rangement of the mental system-and
Katharine was much pleased when her
eldest son, who seemed to feel a lively in
terest in the fate of the unknown wan
derer, announced his intention of hasten
ing after him, and guiding him on bis way
to the village tavern.
The snow had done falling, the clouds
were breaking away, and the wind blew
with violence from the north west, as
Jack Wilson, with a heavy heart, pro-
ceeded down the road towards the village
Before he had accomplished half the dis
tance, he was overtaken by his son, who
kindly offered to accompany him on the
way.
my noble boy !" said Jack; "any
man might well be proud of such a SON
and should even be willing to linger
still time longer in this troublous world
provided l could be near you, and were
capable of advising you, and instructing
you in your duties towards your fellow
men and your God. But it cannot be.
Show me the way to a public house.
Perhaps that there can obtain a lodg-
ing for the night. We will then part
you to enjoy all the bliss of virtuous
mothers affection--and Ito com.
mune with the spirits of another world"
The youth was now convinced that the
stranger was deranged, but he waded
with him through the snow, in defiance
of the freezing wind, until they reached
the door-stone of the public house.
"Here," said Jack, Il can obtain shell
: ter. They will hardly turn away an ole
sailor from their door on such nigh
: as this, even if / am unable to pay then
for their hospitality"
He drew from his hnsnm silken Durs,
but it contained not single coin.-
Here" said he, "my son, for ,oiH cal
j you such, take this, and preserveit it in re
membrance of an cid sailor. 1t is gag
D of affection which | have carried neares
: my heart for many long year. | hav
o no further use for it now."
i The boy took the purse in silence.
II "You told me-" continued he, " tina
q your fathers name was Wilson-what
+ your given name 2"
"Jack," replied the lad, they call m
= Jack Wilson"
J. "Jack Wilson !" exclaimed the unfol
ID tunate man-and he threw his arm
e, around the neck of the astonished bo
and kissed him" Jack Wilson ma
i God Almighty bless you
TO The boy returned to his home, VOL
a. dering at the strange conduct Of this sil
/ gular man. But the unhappy victim
es the barbarious system Of impressmer
% did not enter the tavern. He directo
ne his steps towards the church-yard. 1
er knelt upon the spot where the remains
his parents were buried-and prayed
Ok his God for forgiveness Of his sins. II
as heart was scared with disappointment
1t and his frame was chilled with the fer
ed northern blast. In the morning he W
he, found stretched Ifeless on the grave
p- his mother!
ID The particulars of this mournful eve
lily soon circulated through the village.
When it was told to Katharine Elwell
"a new light seemed to burst upon her. S
res asked her son for the purse which v
led given to him by the stranger the mis-
before. 1t was old and much faded. S
'en saw marked upon the edge the letters
Wand then Katharine knew that
."y poor, forIorn, decript and destitute sal
=" was no other than her first husband
his -.-.-.-
..,a., a. Il.