The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-10-19


companions persisted, | reached
this island. The idolatrous in
habitants made me slave in
their temple, and for more than
four years | have been doing
mental offices and carving inn
ages. | have been chained ev-
cry night, and watched contin-
ually 10y day, but have never
theless made three attempts at
escape, and shall soon make an
other-doubtless my last, as |
am resolved TO succeed or die,
preferring death to longer cap
tivity. j therefore write these
words upon this idol, praying
any one who may see them to
report my fate, if possible, TO
my family, at Norforlk, Va.
Finished this inscription this
18th day of July, 1851"
For several minutes the prisoner con-
templated these lines in silence, and
then aroused himself, looking warily
around.
"Three times | have tried to escape
in a canoe,' he muttered, land every
time | was caught, and visited with
tortures. To be caught again in such
an attempt will be certain death. Yet
[ will risk all the first opportunity that
offers. This longing for freedom and
my family is becoming a positive mad
ness. Oh, my God what is that?"
he gazed in perfect stupefaction to
the eastward, far out upon the ocean.
There, miles and leagues away, was
a ship, her white sails cleaning as she
Law becalmed upon the waters
"a shipl n shin ~ cried Letter sob.
bingly. AT last. oh Heaven, At last
my Drawer is answered ~
,,,,, ,,,.o>-,,,-
~
ol tio east oank OF the Elizabeth
TlNef, JUST OUT OF Norfolk, and over
looking hampton Roads, stood beau
tiful cottage, the home of the wife and
daughter OF David Lester. the prisoner
OF the lone Island IN the far Pacific.
Near the close of a lovely afternoon
in May, Mrs. Lester and her daughter
sat together upon their front verandah.
The mother wasa lovely, sweet-faced
sad-eyed woman OF two-and-thirty
years.
The daughter, Amy Lester, not yet
tiiteen, was strange compound of
chlld ana woman.
You are thinking of father, dear
mother " murmured the maiden, as
she marked the lady's longing gaze.
Yes child. Your father, my hus-
nand where is he? Somewhere uDder
the sea waves, wrecked on desert is
iano, or Iangulshing on a hostile shore :?
1t is five years since he left us on that
fatal voyage to China. My reason as
sures me that he is dead yet, Amy, |
can only thlnk OF him as living"
1T is so with me, MOTHER said
Amy, with tremulous culver of the
lips. II dream often that he is living
that he is coming home !"
we need him in hundred ways"
saiu Mrs. Lester, signing. "If any
thing were to happen to me, Amy. |
shudder to think what would become
OF you. You have been brought up in
luxury, and would feel keenly any
change TO poverty"
Are we not rich, then, mother ."
asked Amy, in surprise.
II supposed so, dear, until three
years ago." replied the mother sadly
Your father was merchant and
ship-owner, partner of Colonel Mich
OILS. But two years ago Colonel Mich
OILS informed me that the outstanding
debts OF the firm more than balanced
the assets in short, Amy, that he was
on the verge of bankruptcy, his fortune
and ours alike wrecked !"
Il don't like Colonel Nichols !" said
Amy, thoughtfully. "If he LOST oIl his
money with ours, how does he live i'm
such grand style? TO whom do his
ships and great house belong ?'
10 ms nephew, Ally Bell. Colonel
has nothing of his own. excentinc n farm,
or two up country which we're not
rsked in the business"
Amy contracted her little brows re-
flectively, and was about to reply,
when the garden gate swung ON is
hinges and boyish figure came lightly
up the walk,
tits Ally, mother-it's Ally Bell y,
exclaimed Amy, all smiles and blush
es. "Ill bring him to YOU"
The young girl ran lightly down the
verandah steps and met the newcomer.
him gently toward the house
He was a lad of seventeen. an or
phan, the nephew and ward of Colonel
Nichols. Bright and cav and hand
some, A lien Bell was also impetuous
ardent, and intelligent-one of those
noble, manly boys who mature early
into grand and noble men. Boy ms he
was he loved Amy Lester with pure
and chivalrous love. which babe fair
10 ueePeh IN 'lhe into the great love of
ms NE
ne was the bearer Of letter from his
uhcIe TO MIS- Lester and having deliv,
eieu ~, ne sllolled win Amy down the |
"lue garden walks into the cool shad- !
9ws oil grove at the bottom of the gar |
uen.
We Deen expecting you this good |
WIIie, Ally sald Amy with charming |
! = rankness' thought you would be |
uown mere 70 Try those scientific expert |
ments Today.
;, Wen try them tonight, Amy" re-
pileu ally me blue lights show bet
yer at hlght. I'm getting along finely
III my chemistry, Amy. like it best
" -. r. mn my sf Htau ,es l., ,a,,
nestIv w. w. o ou ~ salu Amy, ear
avn "'e TIE incest ooy ever
Ailv Reu Iaurhod o,o,,