The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-07-28


1 .---------
'Ahe LOST Found and Restored.
"lou have inst returned. friend Manson
have you not,' said Livingston, 'sfrom your
Western journey ~
"Yes, he replied, II have and there was
a circumstance attending il which will make
Il to nie the most memorable event il my
whole life.p
Indeed what is that, my friend 2"
| "Ah II would take more time than either
you or could w spare,' said Manson,
"for me 10 relate, md you to listen, to the
particulars but | will attempt very brief
sketch Of the substance.
| when went to school in COnnec ticut
had very dear friend and school-mate,
named John Mel ID. He was one Of the
brightest snd most beloved pupils in the
school he grew up and paid his addresses
to beautiful and excellent young lady, q
member Of the church. Al length he was
married to his Mary, and they prepared, i'm
medntely after that event, i'll pursuance Of
previous plan, GO emigraie to Western
State. The evening before the day we were
to separate, perhaps, for ever, had a tender
interview with ny bosom friend and his
lovely wife 1t was deeply affecting to all Of
Us.
"The next morning they departed, with
the afectionate hrewels Of many old friends
and Deighbors in the town, where they were
born and reared, and with handsome pro-
vision made by the parents OF both, who
were in Competent circumstances. Ten
years elapsed, during which was called to
the Methodist ministry in distant places, as
my lot happened 70 be cast. Not word
concerning them reached my ears in that
time. Tbs course Of daty called me then to
the vicinity Of the place where my friends
had settled, and | resolved TO 20 out Of my
way considerably to give John and Mary a
call. Arriving at the town, and inquring
Tor the Ir residence, l was told they lived
some distance from the centre Of the village
AT length found the place. At the frstl
glance my mind misgame. The signt Of
.ne miserable cabin made me s,ek and :, after
T,.cl,ng Rualn my horse, scarcely da. to enter.
nnocA could not there va no door
no'h'hg but blanket street cfisd across the
passage. Removing this. alas what did
osn"dE There was Mary sitting on stool,
WIN an infant on her lap, and another child
in the corner on the gr ound, for the cabin
had 10 eoor. 0, sight of woe How alter
ed was the lovely Mary Tn.
"'Do You remember me, dear Msry;,'
are ruinedr; John is lost, SSSa I and the
1children are starving here. We have not
had morsel to eat since yesterday morn
ing
"'Great heavens = said /, and where is
Johns -
"'He is at the store; he has not been here
for several days
Il must see him. replied.
/" Better not, sir (; ne is savage now, and
will il-treat you
" Il must and viii see john
81 started Immediately for the store, ac-
cording to her direction. There was no
time to lose, for | was TO be at the Confer
ence, whittier l was bound, at certain time
appointed. readily found the store, and
entered. The first sight disclosed four men
PLAYING cards at q table. The next glance
d. ,vered . man stretched out along q
whiskey hogshead. The landlord was sit
ting by, but instantly hoped UP, and ran
behind TIE counter, to wait upon me. sup
posing was customer. Says |, is John
Mel ID herer They all looked 81 me,
on hearing the question, as il had been the
old o1ie, or sheriff.
"'What is that to you 7 he sulIenly re-
piled.
81 want to see him.
"xhiIe ! was speaking, l took another
sweet Of the room with my eye, and saw
Something like man asleep in the corner.
"'E thaNnbnr
"'None lm business answered the
surIy bar
eff il is that unhappy mar, you W i'll find
il some Of my business
$50 went 90 him, recognised him, though
id his shocking, beastly plight, and began
to try to wake hun. This was no easy lob
and while was about il, the rumseller and
his guests demonstrated, telling me to 20
away, threatening chastisement, and show.
ine violence. had in my hand loaded |
whip, and am not inferior, you know, in |
point Of wiry, muscular power; and though |
a man OF peace, | confess, that 10 the whole
of the twenty-seven years have been in the
ministry, ] never felt so stTong a disposition
as at that nac-..@nt, to give four or five men
4 ihreshing They weie intimidated, aud | +
succeeded ar length IN getting John upOa
his legs, and trottiRg him of hemewards
NV presence and the exercise sobercd i'm.
so that when he reached his hoyel he was in
bis right mind. s84d .4
"a forgot tomention, when first went into
the house, the child upon the ground started
up, aifrighted, running 10 her mother, cry
ing, sIs be going to carry rs 10 Jail, mother, H
where father wssY And tkat poor mothe-
sobbed upon my hsna, - ifher heart would
freak. Wf-f, osnysEaed wifh them an
aour. AK I'd Of old times ia Cannecticut.
the old Village and school days. He was
softeued: this heart was touched. Then /
urged The pledge ;shis wife put in her pro-
ioundly = rnsst almost frlntic plea. She
islt this q b. indeed ~ hopr d destiny.