The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-04-14

He wondered whether they yot iivcd, what
they thought of him, aud what tiiey wore
doing. Tho hope OF ever seeing them again
grew fainter and fainter, and at last nearly
died out; and he resigned himself to biz
fato as q slave for life.
But one day handsome, middle-agcd
gentleman, in the dross Of ono of his own
countrymen, attended by q great officor OF
tho Dey, entered tho ship yard, and csilod
up before him the American captivee, The
stranger was none other than Joel Barlow
Commissioner Of tho Unitod States to pro
cure tho liberation OF slaves belonging tc
that Government, Ho took tho moo by ,ht
band as they como up, and told them they
were freo. AS you might expect, the poor
fellows were very grateful; somo laughed
somo wept tor JOY, tomo shouted and sang
and throw up their caps, while others, with
David Matson among thom, knolt down
and thanked God for The great delivcrance
"Ths is very affecting scono," said tho
Commissioner, wiping hs eyes Il m US,
keep an impression of it tor my Columbiad;'
and drawing out his tablet, he proceeded to
| write on the spot, an spostrophe to. Free.
dom. which afterwards found q place in bis
great epic. ,.,. &c.. 't.o,,-t
David Matson had saved little mouev
during his captivity, by odd jobs and work
on holidays. Ho got passage TO Malaga,
where he bought nice shawl for his ife
and watch for each of his boys. He thon
went to the quay whoro an American ship
was lying just roady to sail for Boston.
Almost the fret man he saw on board
was Pelatiab Curtis, who had rowod bin
down to the port soven bears before. He
found that his old noiehbor did not know
him, so changed wac he with his long heard
and Moorish dress; wheroupou, without
telling his name, no began to put questions
about bis old home. and finally asked him
if bs knew MIS-. Matson.i r.7 ... IN.
II rathor think ! do, said Pels,iah. "she's
my ,yite,r ;, a,
mine before God and man. I am DaviG
Matson, and sho 10 The mother OF my chill
dron." -i
sand mine, tool' said Polatiab. IL left
her With baby in her arms. II you arc
David Matson. yonr right to her 10 outlawed;
st any rate she 10 mino, and am no, the
man to give her up" .'. ... .f..t5 r....
"God is grea.!" said poor David Matson.
unconsciously repeating the familiar words
Of Moslem submission. "His will be done.
l loved her, but shall never see ber egain.
Give those, with my blessing, to the good
woman aud boys;" and he handed over,
With sigh. the bundle containing the gifts
for bis wife and children. ..a.a = r..
He shook hands with bis rival. "Pola.
tiab." hs said. looking back ss he left the
ship. "be kind to Anna and my boys" 80
"Ay, sy, sirl responded the sailor in q
carless tone. He watched the poor man
passing slowly up the narrow. street until
out of sight. "It's hard case for old Da.
vid." he said. helping himself 10 q fresh cud
of tobacco. "but Tn glad I've seen tho last
of bim." r.t..'..', '-..........
When Pe!atiab Curtis reached home be
told Anna the story of her husbapd and
lsid his gitts in her lap. She did not shriek
or faint. for she 1as healthy woman with
strong nerves; but shc stole away by her
self and wept bitterly. She lived many
years after, but would never DO persuaded
to wear the pretty shawl which the husband
of her youth sent as bis farewell gift. There
10, however. q tradition. that. 10 accordance
With her dying wish it was wrapped about
her poor old shoulders in tho coffin, and,
buried with her. ,... ....,,...
The little old bulls oye watch. which is
still in the possession of one of her grand
children, is now all that remains TO tell of
David Mstson--the lost msn.-- Our Young
Foiks. ........ f..,. ..--,, -,