The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-07-06


In blessing your head.
Five years had Alice Leeds been an inmate
of Mrs. Whartons cottage, and in that time
a beautiful change had come over the heart of
the lone woman. A Deep strong love for the
child of her adoption had sprang to life in her
being, ard now she prayed. not as she once
had done-to debut to ivc until her below
ed girl should be taken to the care of some
one loval and true 4
Alice was now sixteen years old as lovely
maiden as it ever gladdened the eyes to look
upon. Many stalwart young farmerregard-
ed her with an admirihg gaze. and many
manly heart beat warm at her coming But
with strange perversity, Alice turned from all
her suitors-rch and poor-to the love of her
adopted mother, aud here she found rest and
comfort.
There came cold, weeping night in dull
| November, when the winds beat against the
cottage of Mrs Wharton, and the heavy sound
of the far off sea upon the rocks grated upon
the ear like hoarse thunder. Mrs. Wharton
and Alice we're sitting by the comfortable
parior fre-the former knitting, the latter
reading aloud
| There was qnick, sharp rap at the door.
Alice FASTENED to open it, and admitted man,
tall and sinewy, clothed in the garb of an Off
Ger of the army
| 'Does Mrs. Wharton reside here ? he asked,
as he was following Alice to the parlor
| She does SIR returned the fair girl, throw
ing open the door of the room where she was
sitting. The stranger walked in and accepted
the offered chair without comment
| 1T is a wet evening, sir; will you not lay off
your cloak, and take some refreshment ask
ed the widow. evidently taking the gentleman
for some cast way from wreck.
| Thank you. madam; not unless you can do
me still greater favor. Accommodate me
for the night The tavern, they tell me. is a
good three miles from here, and it's rather a
disagreeahle evening for walking
oh, certainly. you can stay take off your
wet coat and cap. and make yourself comfort.
able God forbid that should turn any one
out on night like this 7 The widow spoke
with feeling. for she remembered her own dear
sons. now sleeping SO calmly in the great deep
The guest arose, drew off his cloak and cap
aud approaching Mrs. Wharton stood up be
q fore her. She raised her eyes wonderingly to
his face, but her gaze was fascinated there =
She was powerless to move, or speak. With
q eager interest she perused every lineament oi
the strangers countenance, and wild cry
sprang to her lips
Harry Wharton !-my son mo! no!'
i He caught her joyfully in his arms, and hii
tears and kisses raiued together upon her face
4 1t must be great joy, or great sorrow, tc
cause man to weep.
Yes, my mother, it is your son. Harry ,come
a back, after all these years of waiting. LooE
up mother, dearest, and greet your wanderer.
The mothers hand fell on his breast-shs
? gasped the single word
Eugene ? UP ~
He is with my father and little Charlie re
turned the man, solemnly.
We pass over the multitude of questions
the lengthy revelations which took place be
tween the mother and her restored son. Suf
fee it to say. that the ship ia which Eugene
and Harry Wharton had sailed, was wrecked
as reported; and all but six of her crew wen
to their death in her ruins. Eugene wa
among the lost; but Harry was saved only t.
become the victim of a press gang on boart
the vessel that rescued him. Here he ha,
served during the war, and for his gallant con
duct he had been promoted to the station o
Captain. His FIRST moment of liberty hat
been employed in returning to his mother, t,
Hay all the laurels he had won at her feet.
When the mutual explanations had beel
made between the reunited Mrs. Wharton
called Alice into the room and placing he
hand in that OF Harry she said
My dear son, this is my adopted daughter
70 and your sister, Alice Leeds; she came to M
when the wound of Margaret's desertion wa
yet fresh in my heart, and she has indeed bee
a comfort to me. Harry, cherish her uway
with brothers care
Harry cast look of undiegused admirs
tion into the fair face of the girl, and passin
bis arm around her, he drew her up to his sid
If sm to be brother to you, Alice,
must claim brothers privilege Kiss ms
dear sister Alice -. ... .