The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-05-19

/ S"l coming from mere child, in u fit @
passion he liled up his arm to strike the hcp
less lad, when l rushed forward in time te
ward off the cowardy blow-,hc burly DO,
stepped back and, turning ghastly pale
stood rlvetcd to the pavement. | was JUS
on the point Of passing him, when he sud
denly rccollectcd his very awkward and
then looked round for pro,ege, and there
beheld him standing, mute with fear, and
not knowing what to do or say.
"Come here, my lad," said, in rs kind
tone as possible.
''Oh, sir, please sir, | dd'n mean it?'
questionable situation, and scampcred off.
and the little fellow actually fell down at
my feet, begging my forgiveness. lifted
him up, and told him not to fear anything,
for would not harm him but it was
sometime before he could be assured Of my
friendly intentions, and that I WAS not IL
policeman in disguise. soon got into his
confidence and he told me his history. His
mother was alive, but his father who was
captain of a fine soop, having gone to sea,
was washed off the deck one night in terri.
ble storm, and never heard Of after This
heavy misfortune happened about two years
ago. The little money which his mother
had soon dwindlcI away, and few months
afte! they found themselves entirely pen
nlcss, SO that his mother was obliged TO
earn their daily mor>cls, even at the sacri-
flee of her health. Winter set in, but there
WAS no husband now to cheer the hearth or
administer to their comfort. by frugali!y
and perseverance, they managed to keep
dread hunger and cold from their door for
some months; hut business soon ceased :;
work became scarce ard even that badly
paid, and they now were on the verge Of
starvation. The manner in which the lit
tie fellow related his melancholy tale would
have touched Il stcrncr heart than mine in
fact, was seriously overcome. 1t was then
my turn, | thought, to tell low abruptly |
made my appearance, and so ! did, from
first to last. | told him he Ia, behaved
like good and noble boy, and that Heaven
would reward him for keeping in the prop
cr course.
There is no time like that of youth to
incncate the moral principles for if the
seed DC properly sown in the early season,
the plant will spring up, and in due time
take root so firmly, that even when blasts
sweep over the plain it will stand unsha-
ken and undarnte,I.
TO return to my young hero. lie ap-
peared very grateful for the trouble had
taken i'll his behalf, and could not find
words enough TO express his gratitude E; Tut
when intmalcd that would go home
with linn he lcapcd with joy, and said l
spoke like his papa used to. suppose he
meant as kindly. need not say that both
the widow and child found in me an earn
est friend. procured a good situation for
my young protcge in a house where his in
tcgriiy would he suitably rewarded and as
for the mother, | obtained for her a ucra-
tive and easy situation and often in bust
ness hours do | receive a cordial inquiry
alter my health from neat looking female,
and which little consideration never fails to
bring back to my memory the incident of
her Trustworthy child.
Two years have claspcd since the above,
and quite change has taken place in the
prospects ofmy protegc. The father, won.
dcrful to say, has returned. 1t appears
that having fell overheard, he remained for
some time in the water, till chance happen
ihs to favor him, he was picked up by
ship bound to Madagascar, Which ship af-
terwar's was shipwreckeh, and he, togeth
cr with few others, were thrown on IN
island inhabited solely by savages. His com.
pan'ons were soon after cruelty murdered
10y the natives, lie alone most miraculously
escaping: and after long series Of ups and
downs reached lis family having been absent
almost three years. His case having been
made known to government, he was grant
ed pension for life, SO that tho family af
terwanis were put in comparatively easy
circumstances but I must not forget nv
little hero IIe soon rose in The estimation
OF his employers, and lie now, although,
very young, holds responsible situation in
the establishment. and have little hesita.
ton in saying that shall one day see him
useful member ofsociety, and beloved by
all with whom he come in contact. AS for
the hurly boy I never could learn, from
any authentic source, what became of him.
although have more than one reason TO
believe that he is now safely lodged in the
state prison, where it is intended that lie
will pass the remainder OIL days.
Conundrams.-Why is a handsome girl
like an excellent mirror? Because she is a
good looking (g)lass.