Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-25

TrUih Stranger than Fiction.
over twenty years since we-kn0wn and
prominent citizen of Central New York,
(Chauncey COe, of Canndaigua) died, leaving
widow, and son and daughter, with mod
crate competence. The widow retired TO one
of the small beautiful villages OF that region,
and devoted herself to the education OF her
children
In due time the daughter grew up and mar.
ried very worthy gentleman OF the place.
The son, having passion tor the sea, nduig.
himself with whaling voyage in his Youth
and returned with vigorous health and a Ii ar
dy constitution. Upon becoming of age he
invested his latrimony in u manufacturing
business, and continued so employed for seve-
raj years. But in l949, when the California
fever broke out with such virulence, lie was
induced TO leave his business with his partner
and relative and join party Of friends in seek
ing his fortune in that region.
Soon after arriving in San. Francisco, he re.
ceived information that his factory had been
destroyed by fire, and that he was left penni.
less. BY this time lie lad discovered that
gold did not lie about the streets, aud that he
was untitled for the struggle OF procuring it
by the hard labor of digging it from the bowels
OF the earth. He became respondent, and
after some reflection decided to once more
trust his fortunes ON the sea, determined never
what he had lost. Taking an opportunity
when his friends were Temporarily absent, and
informing no one of his intentions, he sudden
ly disappeared with his effects and no exer.
tons OF his comrades could ascertain his desli-
nation, or mode Of exit.
From that time, for twelve long years no
tidngs Of the lost one have reached his friends
His well formed habits OF industry and sobriety
forbade the idea that any disrepuIabe motive
badlnduced him to conceal his whereabouts, and
his friends could only conjecture and fear that
some accident had beiallen him and that he
must be dead. Meantime, some lew years
after his disappearance, chiljless uncle (Btla
ID. Coe, OF Bulia o. and by will left to him
and his sister an ample property for lite with
reversion to their children but with prOvis
ion that in case OF their death without issue,
the reversion should go to two educational and
charitable institutions. Under the will the
sister has enjoyed her share OF the rents and
profits, and the share of the lost one, meantime
being under the direction of the court depOs-
tied in savings bank, until alter some years
had elapsed, the two reversionary institutions
instituted proceedings TO secure his share OF
the property. The court upon a full hearing,
decided that after tins lapse OF time, without
his being discovered, he must be juduially
dead, and that one OF the claimants should en-
ter upon The enjoyment OF its portion Of the
rents and profits. As 20 the other, its charaC-
ter not permitting it TO take real estate ii was
thrown out altogether, and that share mol be-
ing legally convey ed 10y The will, reverted to
the hens at law Internationally, who are these
same children.
During all this time the sisters husbInd,
with zeal and pertinacitY worthy of all CON-
mendatlOn, has been unremitting in his endcav.
ors TO find the lost one. After all others had
been compelled 10 believe him long dead, lie
has continued 10 spend time and money in his
discovery. lie has communicated with every
American consul OF the islands OF The Pacific,
and Australia He has sent circulars, offering
large reward to California and Oregon He
has advertised with reward in The papers of
the shipping ana whaling ports. He has re.
ceiy(d many communications from sea cap.
tains and others, protesting TO give informa-
ton, but which has proved erroneous At
last, every endeavor having proved turtle,
and even mothers hope discouraged, whose
locks have become white in the long sleepess
agony OF waiting for the return OF an only and
beloved SON Within the last month, sudden
ly, and without previous notice, the truant
drives up to the mothers door. Alive and
well, with face burned and bronzed to parch-
ment by exposure to sun and wind, he has
come back at last TO that mother and that sis
ter, WHO have so long mourned him as dead
and lost 10 them forever.
And there was joy in that house.
And where upun the earth has the truant
been hidden that a mothers aud sisters love
could not find him Why, in about the only
part of the world which has not been searched
Tor him. In South Africa, FAR up from the
cape, tor many years, and in China several
times. He was employed in the Caffre war.
He has hunted elephants and zebfas. He has
dealt in and drove cattle and traded with the
natives. He has met with losses by wreck
and fire. He has suffered from levers and the
accidents OF a wandering life, until at last, in
middle age, the yearning to once more see his
native land and embrace his aged mother and
his sister became to strong to be resisted.
He sailed for Liverpool, and thence TO New
York, and tor the first time heard tidings OF
his family and OF lis fortune, and that, OF
all his letters written home, not one had been
received.