Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-09-12
It'll MisteIIaneous.
THE CAPTIvE's RETURN.

So many years ago that time seems {
great sunset shadow, whose thin attenua
ted shapes makes us involuntarily turr
our eyes westward, hoping to rid us of tn,
gaunt spectre. | was happy HUSBAND
and father. The prettiest dwelling, GOV,
cred all over with vines, with q garden
which was my chief dependence, wa!
our abode. The blue Rhine flowed pas
it, and had constructed little boa
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 9
treasure had ever been mine.
Blanche was beautiful, not only to my
eyes, but to all Others. Taller than mos
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
fulY To all these accessories of happi-
ness was added q friend-one who was
rery dear both 10 Blanche and myself
Carl Reimer was my own cousin, the son
of my fathers brother who lived farther
pup the river. He spent all his leisure
hours with us for months, working with
me at vine dressing. lie called Blanche
Ihis 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 my self joined the Legion
end ere long were fighting bravely in AL.
giers. need not dwell upon the battle
scene. 1t is painted on too many hearts
70 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.
put any note OF time. kept no reckon
ing OF Gay or night All was alike to me,
and l vegetated, not lived, until at last,
when the desire of life and liberty had al.
most faded from my heart, my prison
qoors were SET open, and staggered forth
INTO the binding sunshine and was told
Mat was free? ! scarcely knew what
fNio WIN ihoohNs n lIltllul1 manu- WAS
hid on my shoulder, and fell back a.
eainst the prison wall. --faed
Come, come my poor fellow 2 said he
y my own native language, and in tones
Mat brought the blue ridge, and Blanche
dear voice, and my boys sweet prattle all
once to my ears--he told me to follow
Dim to the sea side, where vessel was
,yaiting to take me home.
He had been prisoner too, and occu
p'ed cell near my own, as we found by
omparing numbers. but his light, cheer
M and almost careless spirit had iot been
orushed like mine in the lank, unwhole.
ome atmosphere of a dun geon. We had
Zen riding on the dark blue sea for many
nours ere | came fully to myself. Then
remembered all-the fierce struggle Of
nat day, and the cruel wound upon nv
&ad, which for period had shattered
my senses. My companion was hus.
md and father also-there was, there,
sore, no need Of withholding my enthusi.
otc praises of my Blanche and her little
&rL He svmpathized with them all, and
Bsve me rhapsody for rhapsody. 'ft
v, the longing TO be home by my own
sesioe once more. Feeble, worn and