The workingman's advocate., 1869-11-27

The name of our smuggler's wounde
prisoner was Augustus Hartley. He WI
about twenty-four years of age, and the SO
Of a gentleman Of considerable property
Devonshire and, at the period we spea
of, he was in expectation Of being remove
from bis situation as second officer of th
brig. and promoted to the command of
revenue-cutter. The wounds which he ha
received on the deck of the lugger was Sc
we're, and had reduced him to state of ez
treme feebleness, but they were not danger
GUS. He knew not where he was, and b
marveled at the treatment be experienced
for it was kind, yea, even roughly cour
teous, and unlike what he might have ex
pected at the hands of such men as thos,
into whose hands be had fallen. Anxiety
banishcd sleep; and when the risen sun Ii
up the room in which he lay, be stretched
forth bis hand and drew aside the curtains
to ascertain whether the appearance Of the
apartment would in any way reveal the
mystery which surrounded his situation
But 1t rather increased it. In the window
were the flowers the walls the Gu
rious needle work the furniture was neatly
arranged-there was an elegance over all I;
and, to increase his wonder, in corner by
the window was a small harp, and a few
pages of music lay on a table near him.
Surely" thought Augustus, ''this can
not be the habitation Of halfuncivillzed
smuggler and yet the man who brought
me here seemed such"
He drew back his head upon bis pillow,
to seek the explanation in conjectures which
he could not otherwise obtain and while
he lay conjuring up strange fancies, Harry,
with the mask upon his face, his hair tied
up and concealed, and his body wrapped in
great-coat, entered the room.
Well, how art thou now, lad - said
the smuggler, approaching the bed "dost
think ye could tax breakfast YETI"
Augustus thanked him, but the appearance
of Harry in his strange disguise. increased
his curiosity and anxiety.
Harry withdrew, and again returned with
the breakfast /; and though an awkward wait
er, be was an attentive one. Few words
passed between them, for the questions
which Augustus felt desirous of asking were
checked by the smuggler saying" Now,
my canny lad, while ye are here maun lay
an embargo on your asking ony questions
either at me or onybody else. Ye shall be
taken gud care on-if ye want Onything,
just tax that bit stick at your bedside, and
gle a rap on the floor, and I'll come TO ye.
Ye shall want for naething; and, as soon
as ye are better, ye shall be at liberty to
gang where ye like. But | maun caution
ye again, that ye are to ask nae ques-
TONS"
Augustus again thanked him and was
silent.
At the end Of eight days, he was able to
rise from his bed and sit up for few hours.
Harry now said to him
"As thou wilt be dull, belize thou wilt
have no objection to a little music to cheer
thee"
Thus saying, he left the room, and in a
few minutes, returned with Fanny. He was
- before, and her features .wefas
drg,ep4Ens2 Nm x6zklal 49, -AA-a.
iich covered her head and face after the
fashion of nun. She curtsied with
modest grace to the stranger as she en-
tered
"That cannot be the daughter Of rude
and ignorant smuggler," thought Augustus;
I" and how should such creature be con-
nected with them 7" He noted the elegance
Of her form, and his imagination again be
gan to dream. The mystery Of his situation
deepened around him, and be gazcd anxious
ly on the thick and folded veil that conceal
ed her features.
"Wilt thou amuse the poor gentleman
with a song, love" /" said Harry, "for | fear
be has but dull time ont 2"
Fanny took the harp which stood in the
eorner-she touched the trembling cords
she commenced Scottish melody and, as
Augustus listened to the music of her clear
and silvery voice, blending with the tones of
the instrument, it
aCame DER the ear IKE the sweet South
Breathing upOn q bank Of viOlets,
Stealing and giving odor."
1t seemed the sweetest strain to which be
had ever listened and romance and mys-
terry lent it their magic. His eyes still kin
died at the sounds, and when Harry saw the
change that was produced on him, be was
pleased to observe it, and be was proud
also of bis daughters performance, and in
the simplicity and fullness Of his heart, he
said
"Tbou mayest amuse the gentleman eve
ry day, child, or thou mayest read to him,
to max him as comfortable as we can only
be must ask thee no questions, and thou
thee"
From that moment Augustus never wea
ried for the days Of his captivity to pass
away; and he retired to rest, or rather to
dream of the veiled songstress, and to con
jure up thousand faces of youth and beau
ty which might be like her face-for be
doubted not but her countenance was lovely
as her form was handsome and he pictured
dark eyes where the soul beamed, and the
raven hair waved on the snowy temples
with the soft blue eye where affection smiled
and the faxen tresses were parted on tht
brow; but he knew not which might be like
hers on whom his Imagination dwelt.
Many days passed and during part Q
each, Fanny sat beside him to beguiIe hi
solitude. She read to him, they conversec
together, and the words which fell from be
| lips surprised and delighted him. She ais
taught him the use Of the harp, and be wa
enabled to play a few tunes. He regarde,
her as yelled angel, and bis desire to loo
upon her features became more difficult t
control He argued that it was imPossibl
to love one whose face be bad never seen
vet, when she was absent from his side b
was miserable till her return she bad b.
: come the one idea of bis thoughts-the spi
it Of bis fancies, be watched her fair finger
| as they glided on the harp-his hand shoe
r when be touched them, and more than ono
/ be half raised it to Unite the thick veil whic
, hid her features from him.