Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-14
ION, BASED UPON THE CONSTITUTION.



AS for me, will never mount horse more.
All /! tits sore trial, John, but wo must
bear it, boy. There is nothing like brave
ly bearing up against it; SO, take example
by me, and pluck up courage" And SO
saying, the poor afflicted father lifted up
his voice and wept. ''And why didn't you
write to us, John 7" he continued, when his
burst of grief had subsidized. ''Your broth
er Ned used to be often asking after you of
the Mordaunts"
Il had no means Of communicating with
you, sir, SO strange have been my reverses
since we last met"
'.No doubt, everything is strange now
The old hall is strange, and even my own
voice sounds strange in my ears. Well,
thank God have ono son left. But, John
John, you are not Edward" And the Ba-
ronet's eyes fell upon the vacant chair which
the deceased used to occupy.
The old groom, who was privileged do
mestic, and now that his master was inca
pacitated. took upon himself the entire du-
ties of the household, here entered, unbid-
den, with jug Of claret. in order that John
might have as social welcome as was pos
sible, under the circumstances.
Sir Hugh smiled, in faint approval Of
Thomas's forethought, and filing goblet
for himself and another for his son, he drank
what he called, the welcome home" The
generous beverage, which had never passed
his lips since Edwards death, for time re-
vived his spirits. and be looked himself a.
gain. ''Well, my boy" he exclaimed, Il
am glad to have thee with me again !; and
where have, and what have you been do
ing z. Let me hear all, I can listen to you
now"
Glad Of an opportunity to divert his faith
er's and his own thoughts, Treyanion pro-
cecded to recount his adventures from the
period when he was shipwrecked at Santo
Jago, to that when he escaped from the pi-
rates off the coast Of Porte Bello He had
he said been tossed about in an open boat
for the best part of night and day, when
just as he had abandoned all hope of prescr-
walton, he was picked up by small fishing
vessel, the crew Of which carried him, at his
own request before the governor Of the city,
to whom he communicated the Intentions Of
the pirates, how, having captured the gal
leon, they were only waiting the arrival Of
Morgan's squadron to commence an attack
upon Porto Bello Alarmed at this intel
ligence, the governor made instant prepara-
tons for defence, but in vain !; for in few
days the freebooers appeared before the
city, captured it, and after committing a
thousand excuses, would have set it on FIRE
had not the inhabitants prevailed on them
to retire by the payment of heavy ransom.
Trevanion, who took an active part in the
defence Of Porto Bello, was severely wound
ed early in the assault, but contrived to es-
cape the recognition of Captain Davis and
his crew, by lying concealed in the house
of merchant to " lIolx1 lis Skill and bravery
had recommended him. Here he remained
for months, lowering between life and death
but at length youth and a good constitution
prevailed, and taking advantage Of the first
favorable chance, he set sail for the Old
World, and, after stormy and protracted
voyage, arrived at Cadiz, whence be found
his way to England.
When tho Baronet heard John talk about
the pirates, his curiosity was visibly excited
but it soon tagged, and he sank again into
a listless apathy. Suddenly however, max
ing an effort to rouse himself, and pushing
the jug towards his son, he said, "Ned, N.Y.
boy, help yourself; we shall have transport
tomorrow they tell me r--- Cod help me
my wits are gone WOO! gathering I think.
In vain Trevanion tried to Tally his faith
er's spirits by forcing himself to appear
cheerful. The Baronet's energies, were for
the time, completely FRUSTRATED, and he sank
into dull heavy slumber seeing which,
and aware that his presence could be of no
more avail, he quilted the room and retired
to his own chamber.
It is singular how deepgrisf brings ont
the latent points Of character, and imparts
for the time new moral aspect to the suf-
ferer. | have seen some meu, who have
ever betrayed the quickest sensibilities, sub
nit to the severst visitation with calmness
worthy Of stole ; and others, whom should
have pronounced cxlcus as rack, give
way at once, unable to offer the slightest re-
sistance to the assaults Of the chastener.-
Such was the contrast that the elder end
younger Trevanion now presented to each
other. The one rough, despotic, and APP
parently insensate, was wholly subdued
while the other, who was just the reverse,
stcrnIy wrestled with his grief But the
high moral fortitude which had sustained
John during this trying interview with his
father, and had never deserted him, even
in his severest calamities, now wholly gave
way when, the necessity for self control
withdrawn, he found himself in the solitude
Of ''the old, familiar" hall. But it was
the thought Of Mary that thus unnamed
him it was. for her his tears flowed
Neither his father nor his brother had even
done aught to call forth his affections
their natures were wholly opposed to his;
but Mary was one with himself. Together
they had pursued the same studies-par-
taken Of the same pleasuros-l the same
scenes. And she vas gone This was the
one overpowering grief that, "like Aaron's
serpent, swallowed all the rest" Long his
tears continued to flow; but the paroxysm
having at length exhausted itself, he rose
from his seat, aud approached the window.
The night was still as the sleep Of the dead;
the sky was studded with stars and the
moon nearly at the full. touched, with chaste
and solemn radiance, the leafy groves and
emerald lawns of Trevanion park.
As John continued gazing on the luxuriant
landscape that lay stretched far and wide