Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-04-17

There was no one more universally beloved BY
his Bchoolmates, and admired by the inhabitants
of our country village than Harry Watson
There was becoming modesty about his man.
ners, refinement about his ways, suavity In
his disposition, a benevolence In his heart, and
a warmth of affection In his bosom, which won
for him the esteem of the young and DID,
Seldom, IL ever, was Harry Watson seen
arraigned az o prisoner for a misdemeanor be-
lore the deek of old George Clark, the village
school and everywhere was he held lp
as worthy example for imitation by the parents
OF his schoolmatcs, and by old George CLARK.
who with emphasis would often exciaim that
Harry Watson would become great man vet.
Yet no one was more sprightly in the play or
fond of amusement than Harry.
Harry Watson was the only son of a poor
widow, who was compelled through necessity TO
gain her livelihood by her needle. His father
had died when yet but child and had been
one of the most influential as we'll % afiuent
men in the village. AT his death he left, ali
his earthly possessions to his bereaved wife:
but she enjoyed their blessings only short
time; for some avaricious aud dishonest neigh
bors attempted to break the will OF Charles Wat.
son, and after a long trial, they succeeded, and
cheated the helpless widow out of every dollar
Of her property, and she became suddenly poor.
There were many hearts that sympathized with
the unfortunate widow; for they were conscious
by an unjust tTial-by bribery and deception
she had been wfonged out OF her rightful pos-
sessions. Although there came q ohange-an
unexpected change, over the circumstances Of
Mrs. WatsoD, yet in her misfortunes sho was
still as much thought Of, still as respected az
when she rode In her golden car of prosperity.
and plenty filled her hearth. For Mrs. Watson
was an exemplary Christian, and her benevo-
lence to the poor had made her beloved and
admired by all. Exercising tina. true, God
like piety, which reveals Itself distinctly in the
outward walk through the whole course of life,
she did not neglect to iDstil tho true PRINCIPLES
of morality deeply within the young heart Of
her son, and to teach him the sacred precepts
of religion, and thus 10 build within his bosom
A foundation OF virtue, which would lead him
safe through the labyrintha of temptation, and
throw around him mantle of mortality which
would protect him in after years from the fas-
cination of vice.
We have remarked that Harry was handsome
and 80 indeed he was. His light blue eyes,
his nut-broWn hair, which curled beautifully
over his snow-white expansive forehead, the
healthful glow upon his cheeks, wlthal, gave
him very fascinating though feminine appear
ance. And this was Harry Watson. Il was not
much to be wondered at, then, that he was
favotite of all the girls of the village, and q
particular one Of Clara Gray, the youthful belle
of GreenviletoWn, Clara was a sweet and
lovely creature, and many were the young hearts
who sought to win her smiles, TO steal kiss
from her rose bud Lips, to be her mate in The
play, or her guardian when she strolled through
the forests or over the green hills; but Harry
Waston was always the successful asprant.
Clara Gray was the only daughter OF the
wealthy farmer Gray, whose house stood lit.
tie back from the village, on the banks of the
ripping stream. None were greater friends
than Squire W Watson and farmer Gray; and since
his decease, and the change of circumstances
of the Watsons, II nevertheless did not lessen
the friendship which had ever existed bet
the two families ..- ...
Time few rapidly sway-Harry Watson grew
with his years. None gould excel him in draw.
ing and painting, and his beautiful specimens
always gained for him the highest mark of favor
at our yearly exhibitions. Harry was a poet
too; and as he grew older, his propensties fol
painting and poetry became more visibly de.
veloped. Nought would please him more than
to take a stroll along the banks OF the little
stream that coursed its way around the village
buu bh6iCu buO 6C6uc pV'oAV duu bu6u u
compose something in verse to his Clara. Bu,
we must hurry on with our sketch, throw away
the intervening years of Harry's school-boy
DAYS up to the hour when he was about to bid
fai eHel to his friends aud schoolmatee, and take
q journey far away to try his fortune in the busy
world
Il was bright spring morning when in front
OF the habitation OF widow Watson an anxious
group had gathered. Harry was about leaving
the paternal roof where he had been nurtured,
to 20 he knew not whither-wss about to bid
adieu to oil that he held dear---about to shake
for the last time the hands Of many loved com
rade, never again, perhaps, to look upon them;
certainly never more to mingle with them in
the play, or tread the pathway TO the old school
house. There were tears in many eyes, there
were sighs heaved from many bosom, and
hearts that were aorroWful and sad.
God bless you, my boy! Mind the advice tha,
have always given you-be honest, faithful to
every duty, and you will grow up to manhood
respected and honored And then that dear old
mother OF HarTy's lifted her trembling hand
above his dropping head, and with faltering
voice breathed q silent blessing on her boy.
Good bye, Harry, came from many sadden
ed heart; and as I reached forth to grasp bis
hand and falter those sorroWful words, oh
l shall never forget how warmly he pressed it
how IL trembled in my hold, with tears in his
eyes how softly he breathed into my ear words
which never have forgot: "Take care Of
Clara, Dave; protect her well, for into your
hands l oonsign her until return, and--and
Dave, If | should never come back land he wept
as he spoke), you marry her. Do not, oh! do
not let such lovely flower wither away and
die"
And then he bent his way toward o group of
girls standing on the green lawn little dis
tance from us. l need not tell that Clara was
thereof the VOWS that were made-of the
parting kiss-of the rosebud that was espied
on Harrya bosom as he mounted the coach.
Mute aud silent We stood watching that old
coach as it ratified with its heavy wheels over
the road until 1t mounted the hilltop in the
distance, and then We could discern white hand
kerchief waving for moment In the hands oi
Harry-and IL and the loved cne 1t held was los
TO our vision.
Harry Watson found his way to New York
where be procured situation % q cabin-boy OF
board of packet bound to Liverpool Hi
upright department, his polite ma iners and hil
intelligence won for him the warm esteem o.
the captain, and made him many friends of thos'
who we're passengers on board. Among thesl
was o celebrated American artist, who was OF
his way to Italy to study under some Of th,
polished professors of that land Of re6nemen
and art. He discovered In Harry the strength
Of his mind, the propensities which character
lied him-and was surprised at the specimen
OF paintings which Harry showed him q few
Iof which be had brought with him.
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