Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-09-12
I'll istGll laneOus.
THE CAPTIVE's RETURN.

So many years ago that time seems a
great sunset shadow, whose thin aLtenua-
ted shapes makes US inyoluntarily turn
our eyes westward, hoping to rid US Of the
gaunt spectre. was a happy husband
and father. The pretticst dwelling, coyo
cred all over with vines, with a garden
which IVES l% chief dependence, was
our abode. The blue Rhine flowed past
it, and had constructed q little boat
in which | rowed my Blanche and her boy
by moonlight, or on soft summer after
moons, when the labors Of the vineyard
had ceased. Ny boy? recall his looks
now, although there have been times
when | scarce remembered that such q
treasure had ever been mine.
Blanche was BEAUTIFUL, not only to my
eyes, but to all others. Taller than most
females in our region, with figure so full,
yet so 1.-the and plant that every move,
ment was perfect grace, fair clear blonde
complexion, with large dewy eyes of the
hue of our own beloved Rhine, and lips
like the red wine Of our own rich grapes,
how could she be otherwise than beauti-
tul? To all these accessories Of happi-
ness was added friend--one who was
very dear both to Blanche and mvself-
Carl Reimer was my own cousin, the son
of my fathers brother who lived farther
up the river. lie spent all his leisure
hours with us for months, working with
ME at vine dressing. lie called Blanche
his sister, ard little Carl who was named
for him, seemed as dear to him as if he
had been his own.
| cannot dwell upon those days of hap-
piness, though God knows they were all
that were or ever can be mine, the trum-
pets sound broke all the illusions, and
both Carl and myself joined the Legion,
and ere long were fighting bravely in ALL
giers. | need not dwell upon the battle
scene. 1t is painted on too many hearts
to need to be reproduced. Whether Carl
escaped or not, | did not know-but was
taken prisoner, and in the gloomy castle
dungeon at Algiers my life wore on with
out any note of time. l kept no reckon
ing Of day or night. All was alike to me,
and | vegetated, not lived, until at last,
when the desire of life ana liberty had all
most faded from my heart my prison
doors were set open, and | staggered forth
into the binding sunshine and was told
that | was free | scarcely knew what
the word meant. A friendly hand was
laid ON my shoulder, and ] fell back a.
gainst the prison wall.
Come, come my poor fellow ? said he
IN my own native language, and in tones
that brought the blue ridge, and Blanche S
dear voice, and my boys sweet prattle all
at once to my ears-he told me to follow
him to the sea side, where a vessel was
waiting to take me home.
He had been prisoner too, and occu.
pied a cell near my own, as we found bv
comparing numbers, but his light, cheer.
full and almost careless spirit had lot beer
crushed like mine in the lank, unwhole.
some atmosphere of a dun yeon. We hac
been riding on the dark blue sea for many
hours ere l came fully to myself Ther
j remembered all-tne fierce struggle o
that day, and the cruel wound upon m,
head, which for a period had shattered
All my senses. Ny companion was hus
band and father also-there vas, there
fore, no need of Withholding my enthusi
astic praises of my Blanche and her littl,
CTl He sympathized with them all, anC
,eave me rhapsody for rhapsody
=, the longing to be home by my owr
gesldo once more. Feeble, worn ant