The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-08-13

and Willie did not dare 10 meet her fender
gaze, and ask blessing upon his purpose.
: Willie's mother was poor. Her husbands
ship had been wrecked on distant coast.
And he has gone down with it. A hard
struggle had Mre. Nichols 10 procure food
and fire fof her little oLes, though many of
her neghbors were kind, aud would have
helped her if they could. But they were
poor themselves and could give but kind
wishes and day swork now and then 10 the
widow. Meanwhile,by various means, sew
ing, washing, nursing the sick, and in fact,
everything that %oInan's needy hands
could do-she had made both ends meet,
until her three eldest children were able
TO help her. Robert and Matte were learn
ing trades and was to be bound out 10 far
mer
The little fellow had objected 10 tfiis, but
his mother deemed il best for him and the
arrangements had been completed TO her
own satisfaction and that OF Mr.. Benson
Willie could find no fault with The farmer.
who was pleasant, genial man, with kind
word for every one, but he longed 10 go
to sea. The sea with its Wild, bne waves,
foamcres,ed, with It's Wilderness and vasiness
was the subject o. his Thoughts day and
night q Oh how free" thought Willie
''musi a sailors life be
Boi his mother had a horror OF the ocean
ever since The letters came that told her OF
the Flying Fish. Her boys had often heard
her remark that no son of hers should be
sailor.' Willie had sometimes spoken o.
his wish bui his mother had ssid that il he
loved her he would not mention the sea in
her hearing
Willies home was near a seaport Town.
Before noon of the next day he was on
the deck o! ship bound for The Sonth Pa
ci6c When again the moon shone on The
water, his native land was fading away in
the distance
: Willie did mol find sailors life so free
as he expected. There were hard words
, and hard blows 10 bear. There was coarser
fare than he had been used 10. There was
! climbing up the rigging when The waves
were lashed by storms, and the ship rolled
, at their will. Many an honr of pain aud
home.sickness came 10 Willie, and some
times his iiuIe hammock was wet with
tears. Still, ii was not as hard for him as
for many others. His prompt obedience
and cheerful industry, his fearessnes and
agility, made him a iavorite on board, and
there was not man OIL the vessel who
would mol have risked lite and limb 10 save
Ire iitl.s fellow had he been in danger.
h.
touched here and there at different pons
and now and then they had spoken ves-
sci bound homeward ,or perhaps bound still
further away than they were themselves.
One day The second male, who was stand
lug on the deck, said suddenly TO the bSy :
willie, where did you come from ~
"Ftom Line, sir near M
''Dd you run away %
tear gathered in WiIlie's eye and his
head dropped. No need OF an answer.
"Have you father and inolher7''
"A mother al home, bul my father is
dead''
"Does your mother know where you are
my boy ?"
NO" said Willie, ''I woulju'; let her
know for the world. II would break her
heaFi."
"Far worse TO her 10 be in suspense
Twen'y thousand miles from home and
your mciher not know of il! No, VIII the
first vessel we speak must carry letter lU
your mother Remember my boy
Willie promised, and began, in his lss-
ure moments, letter.
lev days afierwsrd they were chasing
whale Tne boat which held Willie anJ
four or FIVE others had the bottom knocked
ont of il by blow OF the monsters tail
Pale, and dreadfully pruiaeI, The boy wa,
lifted up The ship's side, and laid in hi
hammock.
That night The maie watched by him I'll
Twelve O'Clock. He had fallen into gen
lie sleep, saying he would be all right il
The morning Bidding two Of the men Il
watch if he waneu anylhin., The kind mate
who had always been his friend, nigh
himself seek repose.
Morning came la iis first gray light the
mate returned 10 WiIlie's bed The watch
ers, overcome by weariness, had taller
asleep. "Willie how do you feel l'' Bu
Willie did not answer.
''He must be asleep" said his friend
surprlsed that no reply was given. He Iait
his hand on the boys forehead. IL wa
cold rs marble. He lifted The little hand
1t fell pulseIess and cold from his grasp
Willie was dead.
Alone, all alone in the drear dead OF nigh
without mothers soft catess, or sisters
loving whisper, the little runaway boy had
been called 10 die-alone in the swinging
ship, on The wide, wide sea. And, mex
day, as the sailors stood around in solemn
silent circle, thsy brought the iiliIe while
from on deck. Il was sewed up in the