Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-25

A Touching Story.


We have Just listened to the recital of Il
most piteous tale" that, were not the cir
cumstances already matters of history, would
seem too strange for credulity. About ten
years ago. there resided in England sea-
captain, his wife, and an only child-a boy
of five or six years A difficulty having arr
sen between an aunt of the boy and his pa
rents, the woman malicously abducted the
child and escaped with him to this country,
and found her way to Providence. Here
she soon wearied of her ill-gotten charge,
and finally abandoned the little fellow to the
tender mcrcics of the streets Of Providence:
while she left for the far West, whence it is
not 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 mag istratcs and he was sent To the
Reform School. The salutary training that
he received in that institution wrought IN
entire change in the boy, and two years ago
hc WAS discharged rs reformed. Since that
time he has been constantly under the obser-
walton Of the superintendent and trustees,
and in no particular has he seemed to swerye
from the ri ht principles inculcated at the
Reform School
The aunt, on leaving England had assumed
false name: but the boy had always trea-
Surcd in his heart the name and address of
his father; and after his discharge from the
Reform School. by the advice of Mr.. Cush-
man. he wrote to his parents, informing them
Ui his condition and circumstances.
The effect OF that letter may scarcely be
magined-deScribed it cannot be. 1t WAS
a. il the grave had opened, and their eldest
born had come forth to greet them. The
father was in the East Indies, in command
of ship of which he was large owner.
When in distant port he received the it'd
ingS that his son was alive, he Immediately
sold his interest in the vessel. resigned the
command and embarked for England, writ
ing to his son, in Providence, that, God will
ing he would speedily see him face to face.
After the captains arrival in England, and
Il hurried visit to his wife, he re-embarked at
once for this country. 10 reclaim his lOng-lOst
son to his heart and his home. Alas for the
futility Of all earthly hopeS When three
days out from England, Il furious gale made
great havoc on the ship, and Il falling spar
struck the fathers head, causing almost in
slant death.
toiled back to the port of her departure. and
the wUtul tldlngs were sent to the mother,
who was YEARLY counting the weeks that
must clapse before her husband and first
born son would be restored to her arms. Al
though sailors wife, and accustomed to look
calmly on the perils Of navigation, this sud
den dispcllng of the pleasant vision quite
overcamc 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 ship
wrecks are unknown.
The letter announcing the death of his IA
Their and mother, ~ we have narrated, reach
ed the boy in this city on Tuesday last, and,
rs may well be supposed, overwhelmed him
with grief and Il sense of utter desolatlon.-
Proruience Erraing Press, Ing. 2oM.