St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-01-24

man, COnIuSeuiy, ioNcto S"ne "Poi
it at times, because it reminds me OF
my mother -"
"And of certain blue eyed lass,
whom certain William Leslie would
have no objections to fall in love with,
if he could happen to come across her
again-that is if he has not already,
merely from gratitude" And the un-
Gle looked archly in his nephew's face
as he spoke.
may, uncle, there would, perhaps,
be but little use of that, even though
l should come across her as you
cay there are great changes in peo'
pies situations in six years. For IN
stance, witness how different is mine.
She may he welded, and have forgot
ten long, long ago the little beggar
boy, or she may be dead, and lying in
the cold and silent grave"
"True--I was but jesting," said
his uncle.
But" continued the young man,
"as was saying, love to look upon
the purse, because it reminds me of
my mother II will not deny it, for
l will ever remember her--of her who
gave it to me and last, though not
least, because, uncle, it brings to
mind the debt of gratitude | owe to
you. You who have cared for me
like father for his son."
AYE and who will care for you
as father for a son, even when he
dies"
"May that day be long coming "
and the young man turned away to
hide tear.
He took up his hat, and drawing on
his gloves, left the counting.room.
lie walked along, meditating upon the
conversation he had just been partlcl-
pating in, and ere he was aware he
found himself upon the quay. A
steamboat was just about to leave
and lie stopped to witness its depart
ure. All was hustle and noise. Pas
scngcrs, some on foot and some in car
riages, were constantly arriving and
fastening on board. Porters were
running to and fro with baggage, some
with wheclbarrows, some without.
Carmen, hack-mcn, white-men, black
men, all added their quota to the gen
cral din, while the noisy news boys
with their morning paper, sir" and
the boiler of the boat with its phiz-
zing roar, in no wise lcssened the tu-
mutt Then, there were the partings
of friends--the farewell uttered in a
trembling voice--the silent grasping
of the hands-the dmmed eye, and
the lingering step, that told, as plain
as words, how fond the hearts that
were severing What an exciting
scene. So thought William Leslie, as
he stood apart, watching the busy
crowd.
The last bell was rung--thc call
aboard" had been proclaimed and
the fastenings were about being cast
loose, when suddenly he was startled
by the screaming Of women and the
cry of "a man overheard" He ran
towards the spot at the edge of the
wharf, where the people were crowd
ing most together, and beheld man
somewhat past the middle age strug-
Cling in the water. Nearly all around
seemed aralyzed--none moved to-
wards the rescue. Some, it is true,
recommended what ought to be done,
but, as is usual, did not make any eff
forts themselves. William was a good
swimmer, and seeing the imminent
hazard of the gentleman, he imme
diatcly threw off his coat and plunged
in. In q moment he was breastins
the strong current with his bur
demand in few more. they wer
both drawn on board the boat, whicI
had been fastened again to the wharf
The gentleman shook the waite
from his locks and feeling in his pocl
ct drew forth well-storcd poke
book, which he prof1ercd to William.
"Take this, young man, as an Ill
worthy reward for the invaluable SCI
vice you have rendered me-" said hi
cat least until l can have a better OF
portunity of giving you more sui
stantial proof of my gratitude.
would thank you, could find word
to do so, but my heart is too full"
William put back the money wit
his hands.
"No, no." said he, Il did not ris
my life for money, risked it to saw
fellow creatures life. Excuse me.
stake this, then" said the gentle
man, handing him his card, land il
you ever visit Vermont, do not neg
lcct to call on me. My house and heart
will ever be open to the preservcr Of
my life"
The fastenings had been just cast
loose again, and William, with the
card in his hand, jumped ashore, while
the boat proceeded on its way.
CHAPTER v.
1t was a glad day in Vermont the
anniversary of our Independence
the birth day of our nation-thc day
Of all days to the American freeman
That day when the heart of every true
son of Columbia beats with proudel
thrill--when his veins burn with q
warmer fire of patriotism--when ht
treads his native soil with lighter
step, and feels that he is FREE What
volumes does that word speak !! Free
aye as the winds that rove through
ether, and know no bounds. Freedom
tits jewel kings do not possess a
title princes do not own. Yes I! it is
day the patriot glories in. 1t is 9
day when his soul expands in thank
fulncss, and lips utter gratitude {
day when the events Of that pcriot
that tried mems souls crowd thick be
fore his minds eye, and he sees the
bloody grounds of Lexington, of Bunk
er Hill, Of Concord, of Bennington
and host of others, where fought
and bled the heroes of the revolution
1t was on the morning of such a
day as this, that a young man left his
lodgings at one of the hotels of -,
in Vermont, and bent his way along
through the principal streets to wit.
ness the demonstrations of JOY on all
sides.
The streets were tbronged with PEG
pie The military, with music play
inr and colorS Hyinr Uara m,rcb;no