Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1865-03-18

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and camers hair woven by the Barbary
women. Tires hours before sunset he was
released from work, and Friday, which Is
Mohamnedan Sabbath, was day of entire
rest. Once year at the season called
Ramadan, be was left al leisure for whole
week So lime went on-days, weeks
months and years His dark hair became
gray He still dreamed of bis old home
on the Merrimac, aud of his good Anna
and the boys. He wondered whether they
yet lived, what they thought of him, and
what they were doing. The hope of ever
seeing them again grew fainter and fainter,
and at last nearly died out; aud be resigned
himself TO his fate as o slave for life.
But one day handsome, middle aged
gentleman, in the dress of one of his own
country-men, attended by grea, officer of
the Dey, ent cred the ship-yard, aud called
up before him the American captives -
The stranger was none other than Joel
Barlow, Commissioner Of the United States
to procure the liberation Of slaves belong
ing 10 that government. He took The men
by the hand as they came up, and told them
that they were free AS You might ex
pect, the poor fellows were vere grateful ;
some laughed, some wept for Joy, soue
shouted and sang, and threw up their caps,
while Others, with David Malson among
them, knelt down, aud thanked God for
the great delverence.
This is a very, affecting scene, said the
Commissioner, wiping his eyes. must
keep the impression of it for my Conm,
bad and drawing out his tablet, be pro-
cet ded TO write on The spot, an apostrophs
to Ftetdtm, which afterwad found o place
in The great epic.
David Matson had saved little money
during his captivity, by odd jobs and
work on holidays. He got passage TO
Malaga, where be bought uice shawl for
his wife and watch for each of his boys
He hen went TO The quay where an Ameri
can ship was lying jlSt ready to sail for
Boston,
Almost the FIRST man be saw on board
was Pelaliah Curtis. who had rowsd him
down 10 the port seven years before He
lound that his old neighbor did not know
him, so changed was he with his long beard
aud Moorish dress, wbereupon, without tell.
lug his name, began 10 put questions about
his old home, and dnally asked him il be
knew Mrs Maison. e. /.
| rather think do, said Psatisb. shes
my wife. "
Your wife? cried the other, She is mine
OeforeGud and man. l am David Matson.
and she is the mother OF my children.
And mine tool said Pelatish left her
with baby iL her arms. Ii your are DA.
vid Ma,son, your right to her is ou'lswed
at Any re!e she is mine, and l am not the
man 10 give her up.
| God is grea, said poor David MAlson,
unconsGously repeating the familiar words
Of Mosem submission. His will be done.
| loved her, but shall never see her again
Give these, with nay blessing 70 the goou
woman aud boys, and he handed over, Will
d sigh, the little bundle con.aiug the gi!.'
for his wife aud children. 5s tH-
lie shook hauds with his rival. Pelati
ah, he said, looking back as he left the ship
be kind 10 Anna aud my boys.
Ay, ay, Slr responded the sailor in 8
careless toue. He watched the poor mai
passing slowly mp the narrow street out o
: sight It's hard case for old David, bt
said, helping himself 10 fresh cud of 10
bacco, but I'm glud I've seen The last o
him.
Wien P,laIiah Curtis reached home he
told Anna Ihestory Of her husband and laid
his gifts in her lap. She did not shriel
nor faint, for she was healthy womar
with strong nerves but she stole away by
herself aud wept bitterly. She lived man.
years after, but could never be persuaded
10 wear the pretty shawl which the HUSBAND
j Of her you'll sent as his farewell gift. Their
is however, a translation. that in acco'
dance with her dying wish, it was wrappe
abo ut her poor old shoulders in the coti'
and buried with her. a 5.E aHsr
The little old bulls eye watch, which
still in the possession of one OF her gran'
children, is now all that remains 70 tell (
David Matson-lhe lost man.
Pee fa4 Our Young Fol&s.