The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-09-21
Il From the Providence Evening Press, Aug. 20.
A TOUCHING STORY-"TRUTH STRAIN
's GER THAN FICTION"

, , We have just listened to the recital of q
9'most piteous tale, !" that, were not the circnm-
4 stances already matters of history, would seem
too strange for credibility. About ten years
ago there resided in England sca-captain, his
wife and only child-a boy of five or six years.
A difficulty having arisen between an aunt OF
the boy and his parents, the woman malicious
! ly abducted the child and escaped with him to
! this country, and found her way to Providence.
Here she soon wearied of her illgotten charge,
and finally abandoned the little fellow to the
tender mercies of the streets of Providence
while she left for the far West, whence it was
not known that she ever returned. The young
English lad, thus left without home or protec-
| ton, 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 insti
tuition wrought an entire change in the boy,
| and two years ago he was discharged as re-
formed. Since that time he has been constant
ly under the observation of the superintendent
and trustees, and in no particular has he seem
ed to swerye from the right principles inculca-
ted at the Reform School G @ a
The aunt on leaving England had assumed
false name; but the boy had always treasur-
ed in his heart the name and address of his
father; and after his discharge from the Re-
form School, by the advice of Mr. Cushman,
he wrote to his parents informing them of his
condition and circumstances.
The effect of that letter may scarcely be i'm
agined- 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 Indies, in command of a ship
of which he was a large owner. When in
distant port he received the tidings that his
son was alive, he Immediately sold his interest
in the vessel, resigned the command, and en-
barked for England, writing to his son in
Providence that if God was willing he would
speedily see him face to face.
After the captains arrival in England, 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 futil-
ity of all earthly hopes! When three days
out from England, furious gale made havoc
on the ship, and falling spar struck the faith
er's head, causing almost instant death.
Slowly and sadly the storm-stricken ship
toiled back to the port of departure, and the
woful tidings We're sent to the mother who
weariiy counting the weeks that must elapse be-
fore her husband and her first born son would
be restored to her arms. Although a sailors
wife, and accustomed to look calmly on the
perils of navigation, this sudden dispelling of
the vision quito 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
shipwrecks are unknown. esr -i47- 4.o5 50.
The letter announcing the death of his faith
er and mother, as we have narrated, reached
the boy in this city on Tuesday last, and, as
may well be supposed, overwhelmed him with
grief and utter desolation. Let us hope that
He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb
will SO guide and support this youth, SO singu-
larly and deeply afflicted, that he may be able
to recognize with flial love the hand of
Father who chasteneth whomsoever He loveth.