Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-02-22
ATRAvELER'S STORY.
ny CARLO ALBERTO.

ny CARLO ALBERTO.
Qaits number OF years age, says vet
erAn traveller, IN the course Of nv Journeys.
I ehancsd 10 stop at n small place on the
Missouri river, several miles west OF ST.
I.ouis After transacting my business and
taking good look At the most notable fea-
lures Of tho town. stepped into refresh
ment saloon 10 quench my thirst with
= ass Of ale. Seine dozen or more men were |
convened about the bar, talking on various |
subjects and imbibing Of the different IL |
qu,rs that were offered for sale. But apart
from tho noisy asssmblage, and In . far
corner Of the room, sat young mau entire
" wrapped in deep meditation. ] had fail
ell 10 notice him at first, so secluded WAS
his situation; but nov, - he suddenly
looned into view, felt interested in his APP
prArancc, and experienced q longing to
know somsth,ng about him. There was =
sort Of pcnsive expression about his iea-
lures that seemed to draw him towards me,
AID approaching . table near which he sat,
l picket up newspaper with feigned in
tcntioa to read. In tea minutes we were
Ia conversation together, and presently
asked whether he ever drank
les" no answered. in a sorrowful tone,
II take malt liquor once in while, but
nothing stronger"
| ordered two glasses Of ais. Cold and
sparkling the beverage was placed before
Us, aud rs The glasses rosc to our lips, We
eractcd the usual ceremony Of such oc.s
sionS ty an interchange of good wishes
Here's to Your huaith,' said the stran-
ger. and may your career on earth be q
happier one than mlnc.
There Was mournful carnestness in his
tone that somswha. surprised me, aud as
soon as possible responded
"DraK hearty may success aud good
fortune he yours. and may your life be long
rfc vi h flowers"
An. dear sir, don't say that; | don't
want 10 i've, may my life be rife with ncW
srss no, no, II can never be"
lhpsc few words went straight to my
heart. knew Ia en- that the inAn had some
secret sorrow; and II my sympathy was
ever extended to a fellow being il WAS At
that moment. We emptied our glasses IN
silence. aud when | glanced again at him be
Was wip,ng something from his eye.
You wonder. perhaps, why am 80 low
spirited. ! win tell you. Ii won't take
long, and you viii listen, Am sure. Cor
words must not he uttered SO loud, though,
fsr Shc mon At the bar arc looking this way
aud u is not my desire that they should
hear.
signiiei my readiness to hear his cxpla
na,ioa. and in fs~ moments he began
My maine - Henry Moretisid, and am
twenty two years old Moro than two
ycsrs ago my father and mother died in
Nov II ,mp.hire, where | VAS born, and
with them went the lrys OF . happy homo.
bad bat one brother -George-i there he
Ing only u couple OF children in Che family.
S'ot alter our parents death, and having
Oh one 10 assistns, We agreed 10 sinit our
selves, aud determined to make the far
West our future home.
Ii vas lovely morning IN spring when
~ ietchsi Independence, and from there
Ne started. with our iaces again to the W est
IN search OF = suitable locality for our
humble abode. Far up one of the branches
Of the Missouri We discovered a pretty spot,
and there, without . soul to help us, we
erected small but comfortable cabin
In cur lit,lc backwoods cottage We lived
for many days, tho forest birds aud the cd
Jacent stream afording US ample means Of
sustenance. Ever eincc tho time our par
ents died. clouds If sorrow had darkened
our hearts and as weeks and mouths
rolled on, we became Injured to the grisis
and tribustions Of which this world is full
But even IN that secluded retreat affiic-
noa followed mo for one day. as George
and wers out hunting, esch having taken
different routes, l distinguished n noise in
the the underground. aud taking it to be
sosne animal, fred my rita. THE aim was
eare aud tho rustl,ng instantly ceased
Qaick'y ~ possible | separated the leaves
and branches, and there, instead Of fawn
or rabbit, lay my precious brother. The
cruel bullet had pierced his heart
With this terrible misfortune, I fully
rcalired the advsrsities Of the world, and
looked IN faith to thc hour Whsn nv weak
and weary soul should & Mn its release and
DO ashered into the skies. Ny brothers
body laid IN shallow grave. on the hank
Of the river, near the cabin aud, that
very day, without . friend save my rife. |
turned again toward the setting sun, TO
see scenes s.ill wilder and more drear.
Many months fiew past, and oaoe more
returned to the region ofour home. Things
we're vastly altered; settlements were
eprngin up oil around, aud everywhere
we're striking civilization's rapid advance.
looked Tor the cabn-it vas gone Then
searched awhile Cor the dear ones grave.
II ~s' nearly ohlitcratcd nothing remain
ing but little brush that l had planted
abose HI, head, 10 mark tho spot. This
Wa 81 growing, and looked brighter AMI
mare b.sau,ll tnan bslsre.
From there came TO Independence. and
thence here. Feeling somewhat fa,ivued
stopp-d 70 take dnnk: aud la this saloon
yon have found me, wandering victim o.
sorrow IN its sternest form. Thus YOU per-
Give my reason for not wishin, to i've
long. aud also the basis OF all INV mental
depression"
Ihe youag man had finished. His story
was brief but piu,ul, and had penetrated
clear TO my heart. His manner of utter
aace. which was that Of one who had cxpe.
rienccd trouble, distinctly proved tia, he
rsmsmosred We'll the subject and scenes of
his narrative.
How long do you intend to remain in
this place." | inquired.
Until tomorrow. Then shall be gone.
aud may never sec you again. But hear
me, he drew his chair closer toward me.
ana bis voice suddenly became low and
ssfness. when you are far away in the Eat
percaance amsd Nsw Hampshire hill,
where I have spent manya iovous honr
.aeo sne turmoil Of busy life will monopo
hze your notice. and o,he. society welcome |
ysos presence among them, won, YOU |
somssimcs give mo thought. lust On. Ina
y thought, Of poor ilenry Mor.aeld. whom
you met out wests Do this, aud i al ~
morer' NV
Should God. in His stupsndous wisdom
pro'ons my life to hundred years, could
not forget tha, simple equest. nor the way +.
IN ra'c, 1, was delivered. felt almost as
thoasn was IN nj, place, aud had passed
shrs1sa al tao pondercus advsrsities h.
bad rsiaied.
Ies. my dear friend. shall always 70
\. ess you. The name Of Hsnry. Nov
- " e'rssdy stamped upon my ms@oey,