, 1864-05-30


His curiosity was excited, and he burned
with impatience to visit them, and to Judge
for himself; and he expressed to Gavin
Douglas his predilectiOn for sailors life
and his eager wish to commence his career
as soon as circumstances would allow. Ga
wins heart ycarned towards the handsome
and spirited boy, whose eye sparkled, and
whose tongue became eloquent as he urged
his suit; and hefelt that tse time was come,
which he had long looked forward to with
pain, when this young and ardent spirit
must leave his guardian care, and be in-
trusted to its own impulses. He talked
seriously and affectionately to the boy, on
the subject of his wishes; told him, what
had hitherto been kept secret from him
the history Of his first appearance At
Eskhall; assured him that he always
would be, as he hitherto had been, in the
place Of d father to him; and concluded
with saying" Reflect seriously upon what
l have pointed out to yOu, my dear boy
| have laid before you, as far as my expe.
rience goes, all the advantages and disad-
vantages Of the profession which you wish
to adopt; weigh the matter carefully in
your thoughts; and il, at the end of q
week, you continue in thcs same mind,
will do all in my power to promote your
Wishes"
Poor Philips astonishment aud distress
were unbOunded, when Gavin informed
him Of the mystery that hung over his
birth. He had always hitherto been known
by the name of Douglas, and had been ac-
customed to consider himself as Gavin's
grandson; and the truth burst upon him
with the astounding effect Of q thunderbolt.
Pale as ashes, with the tears streaming down
his cheeks, he exclaimed
"Not your grandson, sir! Then who am
1? Good heavens! have been living from
my earliest years a poor dependent upon
your bounty! O,my generous benefactor
my mvre than father! how can everprOve
my gratitude TO you for your UNMARRIED al
fectiOn and kindness?"
"You have already proved it, Philip, by
repaying affection with affection; by your
steady obedience, and constant attention to
my slightest wish. | have fathers love
for you, Philip; and, poor, and unknown,
aud alien, as you are, you have made your
self as dear to me as ii you were my own
flesh and blood. feared that this dis
closure would fall like blight upon your
young spirit, but, painful as it is, il was
necessary that it should be made. Cheer up,
my boy. brighter days will come. have
a conviction that the secret Of your birth
will be one day discovered, and that you
will have no reason to blush for your parent
age"
Heaven grant it may be so, sir! but l
dare not hope. Ii | had not been u cause
Of shame to my parents, would they have
deserted mev
Douglas shook his head, and said
slime will show. At all events, my
dear Philip, look upon me as your father
until you fni better"
"That eau never be, mydcar, dear gr-
benciactOr.
The week Of reflection passed away; but
not SO Philip resolution, which was now
confirmed and strengthened by his eager
desire TO relieve Mr.. Douglas from the bur-
den Of his support, and by tho hope that
he might by some fortunate chance be
guided to the discovery Of his true parents.
On his making known his decision, Gavin
Douglas immediately wrote to friend in
town, through whose interest he obtained
for him an appointment as midshipman on
board an Indiaman which was on the
point Of sailing for Bengal and China, and
which il was necessary for him to "join"
Immediately. Before he left Eskhall, Ga
vim delivered into his hands the ring and
other articles that had been found in the
basket in which he was exposed when an
infant, that he might have some clue where
by to endeavor to trace out his parents.
Delighted as Philip was at the prospect Of
entering upon his new profession, he felt
the greatest sorrow at parting from his kind
and liberal benefactor, and from those whom
he had been so long accustomed to look
upon as near and dear relations; but still
more deeply was he affected at leaving his
beloved little playmate Catherine. He'
grief on the occasion was excessive. Phil
ip had been her constant companion in all
her little rambles, and her resource and
comfort in all her childish difficulties and
sorrows. He had scarcely ever left heI
side; and now she was to part with him
perhaps forever! Poor Philip himself wa:
obliged to exert all the pride Of precocious
manhood, to resist the contagious example
of her tears; but he did all in his power "a
comfort the little mourner, and partially
s,,oooolnd h., ,on,;rl;n,, h,,r that in n faw