The Petroleum Centre daily record. [volume] (Petroleum Center, Pa.) 1868-1873, 1869-09-10
THE BOY MAGICIAN:
The Secrets OF tho sea.
CHAPTER ].
THE PRISONER OF MfD-oCEAN.

yetT5 uBu, u WuitS iiA'u $500 'N'oiS
an idol latrous temple on an island in the
South Pacific.
He was of middle age, tall. thin and
gaunt. with rugged features and sorrowful
eyes, and with every sign Of goodness and
intelligence.
Beside him was grim stone idol, in gro-
tesque human form, more then twice as tall
as himself, which ho had just finished, as
was indicated by tho malet aud chisel in
his hands.
at is DONE" ho muttered, "and these
heather little suspect that have cut my
name and story into the base of this idol"
He ran his eye rapidly over the inscrip-
ton in question. Ii was US follows:
s'The sth of May, 1852, /, David Lestcr. of
the firm of Lester Nichols, of Norfolk, Va
sailed as passenger from Charleston for
.Hec7a K cyclone Struck Us in midocean,
the ship foundered, and we took 10 the GOATS
which all filed, with the exception of the
one Twas in After drifting several days, q.
during which my companions perished. L
reached this Island Tire idolatrous inhabi-
tants made me a slave in their temple, and for
more than four years have been doing me
nial offices and carving images. have been
chained every night, and watched continual
ly by day, but have nevertheless made three
attempts at escape, and shall soon make, a
nother-doubtless my last, as I am bound to
succeed Or die, preserring death to Il longer
captivity. therefore write these words ON
this idol praying any one who may seethe,n
to report my fate II possible, to my family
at Norfolk, Va Finished this inscription
this 7th day of july 1857 "
For several minutes the prisoner contem-
plated these lines in silence, and then
aroused himself looking warily around.
"Three times l have tried to escape in
canoe" be mnttered, "and 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 ia bcco ming posi-
tive madness. Oh, my God! what is that?"
He gazed in perfect stupeiactiOn to the
eastward, far out upon the ocean.
There. miles and leagues away, was o
ship. her white sails cleaning as she lay
becalmed upon the waters.
"a ship!a ship!' cried Lester, sobbingly.
cat last, oh, Heaven! At last my prayer
| is answered."
THE PRISONERS HOME.
| On the east bank Of the Elizabeth river,
just out of Norfolk, and overlooking Hamp-
ton Roads, stood a beautiful 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 lovely afternoon in
May, Mrs. Lester and her daughter sat to-
gether upon their front verandah.
The mother was lovely, sweet-faced,
sad.eyed woman Of two and thirty years.
The dangoter, Amy Lester, not yet fif-
, teen, was strange compound OF child and
woman.
"You are thinking of father, dear moth
err" murmursd the maiden. as she marked
the lady's longing gaze.
"Yes, child. Your father, my husband ::
where is he? Somewhere under the sea
| waves, wrecked on q desert island. or lam
gushing on hostile shore? 1t is five years
since he lett us on that fatal voyage to Chi
na. My reason assures me thai he is dead
yet, Amy, lean only think Of him as liv-
ing"
"It is so with me, mother" said Amy,
with tremnlous quiver Of her lips. II
dream often that he is living--that he is
coming home!"
"We need him in hundred ways" said
Mrs. Lester, signing. IF anything were
TO happen to me, Amy, shudder to think
what would become OF you. You have been
brought up in luxury, aud would feel keen
ly any change to poverty"
Are We not rich, then, mother?" asked
Amy. in surprise.
81 supposed SO, dear, until three year:
ago." replied the mother sadly. "Youl
father was q merchant and ship-owner,
partner Of Colonel Nichols. But two years
ago Colonel Nichols informed me that the
outstanding debts Of the firm more thar
balanced the assets; in short, Amy, that be
was on the verge OF bankruptcy, his fortune
7 and ours alike wrecked"
"I don't like Colonel Nichols" sail
Amy, thought!ully. s'It he lost all BIZ
money with ours, how does he live in sucf
grand style? To whom do his ships ant
great house belong.
, "To his nephew. ALLY Bell. Colonel Mich
OILS is Ally's guardian. The Colonel has no.
thing of his own, excepting farm or tw,
up-ccuntry which were not risked in th,
business"
, Amy contracted her little brows reflec-
lively, and was about to reply, when the
garden gate swung or its hinges and
boyisE figure came lightly up the walk.
'lt's Ally, mother-it's Ally Belw ex-
claimed Amy, all smiles and bushes 'I'l
bring him to you.p
The young girl ran lightly down tho We
randall steps, and met the newcomer, link
ing her arm in his and drawing him gentl,
towards the house.
He was lad of seventeen, an orphan
the nephew and ward of Colonel Nichols
Bright, gay and handsome, Allen Bell wa
also impetuous. ardent aud inteligent--on
t of those noble, manly boys who matur
early into grand and noble men. Boy as b
was, he loved Amy Lester with pure ant
chiValrous love, which babe fair to deeper
in time into the great love of his life.