, 1864-05-30

man in an invalid chair; and that aged
dame with the pain:marks upon her brow;
and that fair gitl.w;.h the pallor Of death
upon her cheeks-Then he saw this he
stopped, and the cry upon his lips was
hushed -....4.s ~ s-FEy
Who was it? .,~
Did the mother know her frst7born 7
Aye-Gnd she called his name-called it
with burst Of frantic joy: ..r''.
"Mark Markv' And, for the first time
in many days, she sprang to her feet, never
minding that she was in pain, and sank
upon the bosom Of her son. s,,ss.
Then Mary knew who had come. Sho
remembered the stout strong brother, with
the heavy whiskers, who used to come home
FROM sea when she was a prattling child,
and bring her pretty presents from strange
lands. She remembered him very well;
and, calling him Brother, she started for
ward and threw her arms about his neck
as he stopped to kiss her. sg
Jacob Dresser could not arise to salute
his son; but the son got down upon his
knees to him, and the trembling hands Of
the old man were upon his head with bless
ing.
Where was Solomon Gurdy? He had
gone-gone without word Of farewell
Intending, perhaps, to come back for his
answer ut some other time.
Was it Mark DresserY Could itbe that
the long-lOst son was alive, and had como
home! Or, was it all dream?
[" Ny SON! o, is it you ?"
Yes, dear mother, it is your own Mark,
alive and we'll Kiss me again" sFs,
And then, when they were calm enough
to listen, he sat down and told them Of his
adventures-told them how his ship had
been knocked in pieces in the Indian Ocean
how he had been picked up from piece
Of the wreck by q Chinese junk--how he
had leen carried to Canton, and how be
had laiu sick there for many weeks. Then
he told Of his recovery, and Of the coftiihg
Of some English traders who, hired him to
take command Of ship bound to Calcutta.
When he reached Calcutta he was hired to
run the ship back to Canton with cargo
Of opium, which was smuggled on shore
by the natives. And so had passed away
three years. He wrote twice during that
time, but his letters never reached home.
At the end Of the three years he went into
trade on his own account, aud not until he
had amassed fortune did he think of re-
turning to his native land. iis nd III
& But" he said, in conclusion, al am Of
home now;} and though ] find some clouds
about the old cot, yet I viii try to make
all the sunshine possible. At all events;
there can be no more want; and whenwc
leave this dwelling we will leave il for .
better one" M 9.g a 2
Then he turned to his sister, and drew
her to his stout bosom. ss .a
b" And as for you, my sweet sister, your
noble purpose Of devotion must already
have secured for youaFeward such as earth
cannot give; but the sacrifice win not be
made, When you get ready to give away
your hand, you can tell the fortunate reel
pient that your brother Mark intends To
settle snug little pile Of gold upon you
on your wedding-day." sa
Mark Dresser kept his word touching
tho sunshine, and under its genial iphuenee
his mother entirely recovered from her bod
ily pains, and his father found comforts
enough to make him happy and c0ntented
in spite Of the misfortune which kept him
from tho pursuits Of the outdoor world,
Solomon Gurdy, when he knew that
Mark Dresser had brought home a fortune,
came no more for an answer to his PROPOSE
ton. h1 4g8s8 1854 sin,& sl,
Mary met Harry Sonther once more upon
the sealshore and theSresult was, that
Harry did not 60 to Liverpool Mark had
business for him. and found him to be A