Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-03-12

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stunned them because I was rich and prond
They know not that it was the tainted at
mosphere of their moral life that summed
They gloat over my misfortune. Men may
call me foolish; but it would kill me to stay
here "
ssAlas must it be ?" Ill
cit must. VIII you waltz?
II will wait even to the gates of the
tomb ?"
"Then, Heaven bless and preserve your"
CHAPTER II.
The ruined youth was upon the ocean
his voyage commemorative duties as la
borer for his own daily bread all fairly as
sumed. All, it was strange life for him
to enter upon for from the ownership OF
| immense wealth to the trade Of books of a
merchant ship was a transition indeed But,
ere he went on deck again, he had fully re-
solved that he would do his duty, come what
would. He would forget that he ever did
else than work for his livelihood. With
these resolves clearly defined in his mind,
he already felt better.
At first our supercargo was too weak to do
much. He was very sick, and it lasted
nearly two weeks; but, when that passed off
and he could face the vibrating deck with a
stout stomach, his appetite grew sharp, and
his muscles began to grow strong. At first
his appetite craved some ofthe delicacies he
had long been used to; but they were not to
be had, and he soon learned to do without
them. The result was, that his appetite be-
came natural in its wants, and his system
began to find itself invigorated by simple
food, and fresh air and healthful exercise.
For years he had looked upon breakfast
as a meal which mnst be set out and parta-
ken of from mere fashion. A cup Of coffee
and, perhaps, piece of French roll, or a
seasoned and highly spiced titbit had consti-
tllted the morning neal But now when
breakfast hour came, he approached it with
keen appetite, and felt as strong and hearty
as at any other time of the day.
By degrees the hollow cheeks became full
the dark eyes assumed new luster; the color
rich and healthful, came to the face, the
breast swelled with increasing power, the
lungs expanded and grew strong, the mus
cles became more firm and true, the nerves
grew steady, and the garments which he
had worn when he came on board had to be
let out some inches, in order to make them
encompass his person His disposition be-
came cheerful and bright; and by the time
the ship had reached the shores of the Old
World, the crew had learned to love him.
Through storm and sunshine, through tenn
pest and calm, through dark hours and
bright, the young supercargo made his voy-
age. In one year from the day in which he
left his native land, he placed his foot again
upon the soil of his native State. But he
did not stop. The same ship, with the same
officers, was going upon the same cruise
again, and he meant to 60 with her. He
saw Mary Wilton, and she would wait. He
saw DR.. Melville, and the kind old gentle
man praised him for his manly independence.
Again George Bonton was upon Che sea,
and again he assumed the duties of his Of
fee, and even more. He stood watch when
there was no need of it !; and during seasons
of storm he claimed post on deck
At the end Of another year he returned
to his home again. He was now twenty
eight and few who knew him two years be-
fore could recognize him now. His face
was bronzed by exposure, his cheeks full and
plump, his frame stout, strong and erect
His muscular system was nobly developed,
and among the men we're few who could
stand before him in trials of physical
strength. When he first left the city two
years before he had weighed just one hun
dred and thirty pounds avoirdppois, He
now brought up the beam fairly at one hum
bred and seventy-six. Surely he was new
man in every respect.
On the afternoon Of the third day, as he
entered the hotel, one of the walters handed
him letter. He opened it and found it to
be a letter from Mr.. Wilton. 1t was re-
quest that he would call at the merchants
house at 8 o clock that evening George"
said the doctor, after Benton had given
full account Of his adventures while at sea,
II should think that you would almost for
give poor Rowland for having made off with
your fortune 7" .....
Forgive him !" returned George, ooh.
| did that in the first place" lid
"Well George" resumed the doctor:
"Mr. Rowland is here will you see him ?"
''See him p See Charles Rowland Of
course will" ..... 5....... .ts....
The door was opened and Mr.. Rowland
entered. He was an elderly gentleman, but
hale and hearty: i.a.3. p, Ids a-sss
The old man shook hands, and then in
quired after each others health Wa,
"You received note from me some two
years ago." said Mr. Rowland. Sin which
stated that one in whom [ trusted had got
your money, and mine with it,7at e7e
es, sir" whispered Ronton.
"Well, resumed Mr.. Rowland, DR.. Mel
vile was the man. He had your money,
and I believe he has got it yet"
"How I? What ?" grasped George, gazing
from one to the other in blank astonish-
me4t.
Hold on my boy said the doctor,
while a thousand emotions seemed at work
within his bosom. II was the villain It
was [ who got your money worked your
ruin, my boy And now listen, and I will
tell you Why
I saw that you we're dying. Your faith
err died Of the same disease. A consump-
ton was upon him-not regular pulmo-
nary affection but a wasting away of the
system for the want of vitality, occasioned
by want of proper, wholesome food and
physical exercise. The naind was wearing
out the body: The soul was slowly but
surely eating its way from the cords that
bound 1t to the earth. | knew that you
could be cured and I knew, too, that the
only thing in the world which would cure
you was to throw you upon your resources
for a livelihood, There was morbid will
ingnesa to pass away: You would have eied
ere you would have made an exerton, from
the fact that you looked upon exertion as
worse than death. 1t was strange state of