Smyrna times., 1859-09-01
From the Providence Evening Press, August 20.
A Touching Story" Truth STRANGER
than qicticn.D

I~& ~A1 l. AZ SlV4ls
We have Just listened to the recital Of
" most pteOus tale" that were not the circum
stances already matters of history, would seen
TOO strange for credlb!lity. About ten year.
ago there resided in England sea captain, hi.
wIe, and an only child, a boy of five or six
years. A difficulty having arisen between al
aunt OF the boy and his parents, the woman ma
ilcIously abducted the child and escaped with
hun to this country, and found her way TO Provi-
dence. Here she soon wearied of her il.oot-
ten charge, and finally abandoned the lIttlc fell
low to the tender mercies of the streets of
Provldencc; while she left for the far West,
whence 1t is rot known that she ever returned.
The young English lad, thus left without
home or protection, of course soon entered upon
career that brought him to the notice Of the
magistrates, and he was sent to the Reform
School The salutary training that he received
IN that institution wrought au entire change in
the boy, and two years ago he was discharged
as reformed. Since that time he has been con.
stantly under the observation of the superin
tendent and trustees, and in no particular has
he seemed TO swerve from the right principles
lnculcated at the Reform School.
The aunt, on leaving Eng land, Lad assumed
afalse name; but the boy had always treasured
In his heart the name and address of his father:
and, after his discharge from the Reform School,
by the advice of Mr.. CushmIn, he wrote TO his
parents, informing theH of his condition and
circumstances.
The effect of that letter can scarcely be i'm
aglned-descrbed it cannot be. Il was as if
the grave had opened, and their eldest born had
come forth to greet them. The father was in
the East Indies, in command OF a ship of which
he was large owner. When in a distant port
he received the tldings that his son was alive,
he Immediately sold his interest in the vessel,
resigned the command, aud embarked for Eng
land, writing to his son in Providence that, God
wiling, he would speedily see him face to face
After the captains arrival IN Eng land, and
hurried visit to his wife, he re-embarked at
once for this country to reclaim his long lost
son to his heart and home. Alas for the futility
of all earthly hopes When three days out from
England furious gale made havoc on the ship,
and falling spar struck the fathers head,
causing almost Instant death.
Slowly and sadly the storm-stricken ship
tolled back to the port Of departure, and the wo-
ul tldlngs were sent to the mother who was
wearily counting the weeks that must elapse |
before her husband and her irst-born son would |
be restored to her arms. Although sailors
wife, and accustomed to look calmly on the per-
lis of navigation, this sudden dispelling of the |
pleasant visit quite overcame her. She was
seized with the pangs of premature labor, and
in few hours joined her husband in the world |
where separations come not and storms and
are unknown.
The letter announcing the death of his father
md mother, as we have narrated, reached the
10Y in this city on Tuesday week, and, as may
we'll be supposed, overwhelmed him with grief
md utter Gesolation. Let us hope that lie who
empers the wind to the shorn lamb will SO guide
md support this youth, so singularly and deep
y afflicted, that he may be enabled to recog-
lize, with ilal love, the hand of Father who |
;hastenelh whomsoever he loveth.