The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-09-03
A Touching story Truth Stranger
than fiction I'd "
From The Providence Evening Press, Aug 20.

from sne kfovioence evening Press, Aug ~.
We have just listened to the recital of.
most piteous tale, that were not the cir
cumstances already matters Of history
would seem to he too strange for credulity
About ten years ago there resided in Eng
land a sea captain, his wife, and an only
child-a boy Of five or six years. A diff
Guilty having arisen between an aunt Of
the boy and his parents, the woman ma
liciously abducted the boy and escaped
with him to this country, and found her
way to Providence Here she soon wear
led of her i'll gotten charge, and finally
abandoned the little fellow to the tender
mercies of the streets of Providence ;
while she lett for the far West, whence it
is not known that she ever returned.
The young English lad, thus left with
out home or protection, of course soon en-
tered on career that brought him to the
notice Of the magistrates, and he was sent
to the Reform School. The salutary train
ing that he received in that institution
wrought an entire change in the boy, and
two years ago he was discharged as re-
formed. Since that time he has been un-
der the observation of the Superintendent
and trustees, and in no particular has he
seemed to swerye from the right princi.
pies inculcated at the Reform School.
The aunt or leaving England had ass
sumed false name; but the boy always
treasured in his heart the name and ad-
dress of his father, and after his discharge
from the Reform School, by the advice Of,
Mr.. Cushman, he wrote to his parents, in.
forming them Of his condition and circum-
stances. ~..-< b.. et.r7as a.
The effect Of that letter may scarcely
be imagined it cannot Be-. It,
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 COM
mand of ship of which lie was,
a large owner. When 10 distant port
he received the tidings that his son was
alive, and he Immediately sold his interest
in the vessel, resigned the command, and
embarked for England, writing to his son
in Providence that, God willing, he would
speedily see him face to face.
After the Captains arrival in England;
and hurried visi. to his wife, he embark
ed at once for this country to reclaim his
long lost son to his heart and home
Alasefor the futility of all earthly hopes !!
When three days out from England, a
furious gale made havoc with the ship,
Ind a falling spar struck the fathers
head, causing almost instant death.
Slowly and sadly the storm stricken
hip toiled back to the port of departure,
md the woful tidings we're sent to the mo-
her, who was YEARLY counting the weeks
hat must elapse before her husband and
her first born son would be restored to her.
,rms. Although sailors wife, and &C
to look calmly on the perils of
this sudden dispelliDg Of the
pleasant vision quite overcame her. She
was seized with the paDgs of premature
abor, and in few hours joined her hus-
band in the world where separations come
not and storms and shipwrecks are un-
known. s ~
The letter announcing the death of his
ather and mother, as we have narrated.
cached the boy in this city on Tuesday
asst, and, as may be supposed, overwhelm-
ID him with grief, and sense Of utter
lesolation. Let us hope that He who
empers the wind to the shorn lamb viii |
0 guide and support this youth, So SIM
.ularly and deeply afflicted, that he may
e enabled to recognize with filial love tho
and ola Father who chasteneth whomso-
yer He loveth. s4.s