Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-17
Tne Dead dAlive-ExtraOrdinary COmbina a.
tiOn of Circumstances.

The simple and truthful narratives OF person
al and family adventure often exceed in strange
interest the fcticious stories OF romance; and
the realities of common life the vicissitudes and
misfortunes ofindiyiduals, may often be traced
to single circumstance-the first link in the
chain of Providence by which all the other
events in their lives may be said to be suspended.
The following extraordinary combination of cir
cumstances is striking exemplifcation of these
remarks; and we shall proceed to tell the story
| in way as plain and simple as we can, only pre-
missing that although, for obvious reasons, the
names of the parties interested are not men
toned, the details are in every respect strictly
true.
! Somewhere about thirty years ago, at place
twenty miles from London, a boy about eleven
years of age was returning from school with his
sister. They were amusing themselves on the
road by running after and touching each other
alternately in their youthful glee. They had
arrived at q large playground or green, and he
had ''tigged" and touched his sister, and had
given her slap on the face, when she gave him
| push with her hand whereby he was over
balanced, and he fell into large well behind !;
and, limid and amazed at his sudden disappear
ance, owing to her inadvertent act, off she ran.
For some days strict search in all directions
was instituted for the boy, but without avail
Advertisements in the newspapers were also re
sorted to without effect and the girl, bewildered,
doubting, and still hoping that her brother might
yet make his appearance, or be discovered In
some way, and on the other hand, afraid that
be might have perished iD the well, refrained
from explaining to her relatives the truth. The
consequence was, that as time wore on, she fell
into state of dependency, but her friends
could never ascertain the cause.
In the course OF some years she was married.
Her family often kindly inquired, and even
pressed her to say whether any thing was weigh
ing on her spirits, but she could give no expla-
nation and it may be added, as it will naturally
| be surmised, did not intend to do so until on
her death-bed. In the mean time, her brother,
after having fallen, as We have described, into
the we'll, and sunk in the water, rose again to
the surface, and laying hold of some projecting
bricks or stones at the side of the we'll, called
loudly for help. After some time carrier, who
was passing, heard the cries of the boy, and 60
ing forward to the mouth of the well, succeeded
| in rescuing him from his perilous condition.
When he had recovered a little the carrier asked
the boy the name of his friends and where he
resided. but he would not tell him, and said he
had no friends, but wished and would be glad
to 90 along with him. Through persuasion and
entreaty the kind d-hearted carrier, thinking the
boy an orphan, took him on along with him in
his cart or wagon to London, and there gave
him employment to run his messages. He after
ward sent him to school, and thereafter to learn
a trade; but he was little wild in his dispo-
sition, and did not settle we'll to his employ
ment.
In the course of time the news arrived Of the
discovery of the gold fields in Australia, and the
carriers son determined to proceed there, and as
the boy expressed an anxious wish to accompa-
nv him that wish was complied with, and he
went out along with him. He was extremely
prosperous. and wealth showered upon him.
He acquired land and engaged servants, and, in
short, Fortune was lavish to him of her gifts.-
But in the midst OF his prosperity, he began to
think Of home and OF his early associates and
how his beloved sister might think him dead,
and as having been drowned in that deep well,
and he determined on returning home to glad
den them with his presence, relate to them his
fortunes, and disspate their fears concerning
him. Having arrived in this country, he tried
every means to ascertain where his friends
lived, for they had removed from the home of
his youth, and none in the neighborhood could
tell him where they had gone.
After having made inquiry for a length of
time without avail, it SO chanced that on one
occasion he went into England to see the Queen
passing and, while witnessing the cortege
recognized in the features OF person present
one whom he had known in his boyhood. He
went forward and inquired his name, when ne
told, and mutual recognition took place. Then
followed questions concerning his family, when
it turned out that the friend whom he addressed
had been married to his own sster-to that SIS
ter who had long been the subject of his waking
dreams, and who had in his early years been the
means, however veItently, of giving di-
rection to his course and to his subsequent for
tunes. He was further informed that his sister
was at the time resident in Stirling, and it need
scarcely be said that.he Immediately posted on
to Stirling, where be arrived about the 18th or
l4th of September last year. The meeting which
ensued between the long parted sister and
brother can oDly be left for imagination. The
surprise, the conflicting emotions, caused by the
temperance Of brother alter snch long alb
sence under the circumstances related, caused an
tndisposition, from which, We are glad to say,
she has now recovered Gtasgoso Duly Nail. !