The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1859-09-21
A Touching Story

We have just listened to the recital OF a
"most piteous tale, that were not the circum-
stances already matters of history. would
seem too strange for credibility. About ten
years ago there resided in England a sea-cap-
tain, his wife and an only child-a boy of five
or six years A difficulty having arisen be-
tween an aunt of the boy and his parents. the
woman maliciously abducted the child and es-
capped with him to this country, and found
her way to Providence Here she soon wear
led of her illgotton charge, and finally aban-
doned the little fellow to the tender nercies
of the streets of Providence while she left
for the far West. whence il is not known that
she ever returned.
4 The young English lad, thus lie without
home or protection, of course soon entered
upon a career that brought him to the notice
of the magistrates, and he was sent to the Re
form School. The salutary training that he
received in that institution wrought an entire
change m the boy. and two years age he was
discharged as reformed Since that time he
has been constantly under the observation OF
| the superintendent and trustees, and IN no
particular has he seemed to swerve from the
right principles inculcated at the Reform School
The aunt on leaving England had assumed
a false name; but the boy had always treas
ured in his heart the name and address OF his
father; and after his discharge from the Re-
form School, by the advice OF Mr.. Cushnian,
he wrote to his parents informing them of his
condition and circumstance
| The effect of that letter may scarcely be
nagined-described it cannot be. was as if
the grave had opened, and their eldest born
had come forth to greet them. The father
l.. I,f 81;
Of which he was large owner. When in a
distant port he received the tidings that his son
was alive, he Immediately soli his interest IN
/ the vessel resigned the command, and embark
tedfor England, writing to his son in Providence
that God willing he would speedily see him
face to face.
i After the Captains arrival in England, and
hurried visit to his wife, he re-embarked at
lonce for this country to reclaim his long-ies'
son to his heart and home. Alas for the tu-
tility of all earthly hopesi When three days
out from England furious gale mad havoc on
, the ship, and falling spar struck the fathers
head, causing almost instant death
!. Slowly and sadly the storm stricken shiI
toiled back to the port of departure, and ths
, wofui tidings were sent to the mother wht
. was YEARLY counting the weeks that mus
elapse before her husband and her first borI
SON would be restored to herarms Although
: sailors wife, and accustomed to look calmly
on the perils Of navigation, this sudden dlspel
5 ling of the pleasant vision evereame her Sh
4 was seized with the pangs of premature labor
5 and in a few hours joined her husband in th
3 Iworld where separations come notsand storm
S | and shipwrecks are unknown.
v The letter announcing the death Of hl
: father and mother, as we have narrated, reach
ed the boy in this city on Tuesday last, ane
: as may well be supposed, overwhelmed hi
2 with grief and a sense of utter desolatlon,-
: Let US hope that He who tempers the wind
the shorn lamb will SO guide and support tn
Q youth, so singularly and deeply afflicted, til
e he may be enabled to recognise with filial lo'
i, the hand of a Father who chasteneth whom
soevsr He loveth Providence Press.