The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-07-23

Bopchurch for many months, and the snug
glers of that part of the island were well
known to the residents, and on good terms
with them, and they denied any knowl-
edge of the boy.
Gradually the search ceased, except on
the part of the schoolmaster who walked
in every direction, inquiring and examin-
ing. But at last be too, lost hope; and as
he stood in Ventnor Cave when a stormy
night was darkening around, and the
winds and the waves ragged in fearful uni
son, he felt melancholy conviction that
Harry Bonner was lost forever.
Isoenty gears rolled away, and the dis
appearance of the boy was still profound
mystery.
The blacksmith had died Of intemper-
ance, and no. one lamented him. The
schoolmaster's sister needed nothing more
in this world. Most of Harry's school
mates were dead, and of those who sur
vived, scarcely any remained in the village
All was changed, but still the schoolmas-
ter lived in his humble cottage, and kept
school, but he was grown old, and solitary
and lnfirm /; and so poor that he was al
most reduced to shadow with hard liv-
ing
In his best days he eked out his little in
come by cultivating few vegetables and
common fruit: and this was still his re-
source when he could hobble out on fine
days into his patch of garden ground.
His spirits had been unusually depressed
by the decline of his strength, his poverty,
his forlorn condition, and the memory of
his sister, when at sunset, one day, he stood
at his school-room window, looking to-
ward the sea. The lattice was open, for
the weather was warm, and his withered
face felt refreshed by the breeze that play
ed over it.
But that which chiefly detained him
there, and held him in kind of fascina-
tion, was the unusual appearance of ship
of war, one of the most imposing size,
moored near Ventnor
The old mans memory was quickened
by the spectacle, and he thought of Har-
ry Bonner, who on the day Of his disap-
pearance, had been detected by him
watching just such vessel fiom this win
dow, while his neglected book was thrown
aside on the form.
Gazing and musing the master stood
while the shadows of twilight gathered
over the scene; the masts and rigging of
the chief object of his attention grew in
distinct, darkness came quickly, and with
it asstorm which had been in preparation
some hours.
The master hastily closed the lattice as
flash of lightning broke in upon his
musings. He turned to leave the school
room and to enter his cottage; but what
figure was that which, amidst the obscure
ty, appeared seated on the identical spot,
on the chief form, where Harry Bonner sat
when he learned with such surprising rap
idity his double lesson after watching the
man-ofwar from the window
The school master had grown nervous
and rather fanciful, and know not what
he imagined it might be but his breath
came quick and short for an instant, and
then he asked in faint voice, "Who is
here ~
A manly voice replied, "Only Harry Bon
ner! |"
The lightning lit up the whole of the
large, dreary-looking school room, and re-
vealed to the schoolmaster the figure of a
naval officer, on whose breast glittered dec
orations of rank and honor.
Darkness instantly succeeded, as the Of
fcer started from the form and grasped
the hand of the master with strong and
agitated pressue then the two moved
quickly and silently together while the
thunder crashed overhead.
The excitement of the moment confused
the faculties of the old man: and as the
officer still holding his hand with that
fervent grasp, gazed in his eyes by the
dim light of the cottage fire, he uttered
some incoherent words about Harry Bon
ner and the ship and the double lesson /;
hrrf rtybap ho hah of1S H.
face with his disengaged hand and weep,
his brain rallied its disordered perceptions.
He lighted rush light that stood on the
mantle-shelf, and as the officer withdrew
his hand slowly from his face, the master
passed the light before those brown and
SCARED, yet handsome teatures,in whose
strong workings of feeling, if in nothing
else, he almost recognized his long lost but
unfortunate scholar.
The officer suddenly clasped the old
mans hand. MY dear old master!" he
exclaimed.
The old man was too weak for the sud-
den surprise; he put his hand to his brow,
gazed vacantly, gasped for breath, and his
lips moved without sound.
The officer placed him tenderly in the
old wicker chair, in which the knitter of
the dappled-grey worsted stockings used
to sit; then the old man grasped one of his
arms, and looking up, said mournfully and
shook his head "She isnot here. She said
to the last Harry Bonner would be found
some day; and now she is not here"
"Dead is she 2"
"Oh, yes"
There was short silence, solemn and
sad
"And why hast thou hidden thyself all
these years 2" asked the master.
II have been redeeming the past.
have been working my way from rags and
infamy to this"-touching with an air of
dignity, his gold epaulette and the insig-
mia that glittered on his breast-"and l
have been gathering this" showing full
and heavy purse, "to revenge myself for
the stick and strap, and make thy latter
days happy.
"The change seems wonderful to you,
no doubt" continued the officer, after an
agitated pause; lit is wonderful to myself
but it is to you trace it. Your benevo-
lent instructions, your patient endeavors
to reclaim me, your observations on my
wickededness, your encouraging praise of
my abilities-all appealed to my heart and
conscience and stimulated and reused me
to resolve on going to sea and trying to
lead new life. The sight of the man of
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