Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-09-23
From tho Providence Evening Press, Aug z0.l
A Touching StOry--"Truth Stranger
than Fiction"

We have just listened to the recital of a
most piteous tale,' that, we're not the cir
cumstanees already matters of history, would
seem too strange for credibility. About
ten years ago there resided in England a
sea captain, his wife and an only child--a
boy Of FIVE or six years. A difficulty
having arisen between an aunt of the boy
and his parents, the woman maliciously abb
Quoted the child and escaped with him to
this country, and found her way to Provi-
dence Here she soon wearied Of her i'll
gotten charge, and finally abandoned the
little fellow to the tender mercies of the
streets of Providence while she left for
the far West, whence il is not known that
she ever returned.
The young English lad, thus left with
out home or protection, Of course soon en-
tered upon career that brought him to the
notice of the magistrates, and he was sent
to the Reform School. The salu'ary 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 con-
stanily under the observation of the Su-
perintendent and Trustees, and in no par
ticular has he seemed to swerve from the
right principles inculcated al the Reform
School.
The aunt on Leaving England had as
sumed false name; but the boy had al
ways treasured in his heart the name and
address Of his fathers and after his dis
charge from the Reform School, by the ad-
vice of Mr.. Cushman, he wrote to his pa
T.. L.. of
circumstances.
The effect of that letter may scarcely be
imagined described it cannot be. 1t was
as if the grave had opened, and their eldest
born had come forth to greet them.
The father was in the East Indias, in
command of ship Of which he was large
owner. When in distant port he received
the tidngs that his son was alive, he imme-
diately sold his interest in the vessel, re-
signed the command, ard 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 visit to his wife, he re-em-
barked 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 flu
rious gale made havoc on the ship, and a
falling spar struck the fathers head, caus-
ing almost instant death.
Slowly and sadly the storm-stricken ship
,oiled back to the port of departure, and the
woeful tidngs was sent to the mother, who
was wearily counting the weeks that must
elapse before her husband and her first born
son should be restored to her arms. Al
though sailors wife, and accustomed to
look calmly on the perils of navigation,
this sudden dispelling of the pleasant Wis
ion quite overcame her. She was seized
with the pangs of premature labor, and in
a few hours joined her husband in ihe world
where separations come not and storms and
ship-wrecks are unknown.
The letter announcing the death of hi:
father and mother, as we have narrated
reached the boy in this city on Tuesday
, last, and, as may well be supposed, over
whelmed him with grief and utter desola'
ton. Let us hope that He WHO temper:
| the wind to the shorn lamb will so guide
, and support this youth, SO singularly ant
deeply afflicted, that he may be able TO re
cognize with filial love the hand of Fa
ther who chasteneth whomsoever he loveth