Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1870-07-29

Darkness instantly succeeded as the o.
fcer started from the form and grasped th
hand of the master with strong and agl
tated pressure; then the two moved quick
ly and silently along to the cottage Will
the thunder crashed overhead.
The excitement of the moment confuse
the faculties of the old man, and as the Of
fcer, still holding his hand with that fer
vent grasp, gazed in his eyes by the dir
light Of the cottage FIRE. he uttered som
incoherrent words about Harry Bonner
and the ship and the double lesson; bu
when he beheld the officer covered hi
face with his disengaged hand and wept
his brain rallied its disordered perceptions
he ignited rush light that stood on tn
mantle-shelf, and as the officer Withdrew
his hand slowly from his face the maste
passed the Iii ght before those brown ant
SCARED, yet handsome features, in who's
strong working of feeling. if nothing else
he recognized his long-lost but unfortu
nate scholar.
The officer suddenly clasped the ole
mans hand. "My dear old master!" h'
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 hi
lips moved without a sound.
The officer placed him tenderly in the
old wicket chair. in which the knitter o.
the dapple-grey worsted stockings used tt
sit; then the old man grasped one of his
arms, and looking up said mournfully and
shook his head:
''She is not here. She said to the last
Harry Bonner would be found some day;
and now she is not here"
''Dead is she p
.''Oh, yes"
There was short silence. solemn and
sad.
''And why hast thou hidden thyself all
these years ?" asked the master.
Il have been redeeming the past. I've
been working my way from rags and In
urgnrry, tgo,.r r0f's-s-'s.'-- .e..
MIA that glittercd on his breast-''and
have been gathering this" showing full
and heavy purse, ''to revenge myself to
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, ''it is wonderful to myself
but it is to you I trace it,-your benevo-
lent instructions, your patient endeavors
to reclaim me, your observations on my
wickedness, 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.war from the window and the last fog
ging had from the blacksmith decided
me. | ran down the cliffs. [ told my
tale to boats crew Of the war-ship;
was taken on board as cabin boy. The
ship sailed directly. rose step by step
have been in many battles, and here
am the commander of the vessel you were
viewing when [ entered the schoolroom
and found my way to the old seat.
"And hope," said the master earnest
ly. Il hope, my dear Harry, "you are
thankful to that Providence that has guild
ed your wandering feet through paths 81
strange and difficult"
Il trust am," "rejoined the officer will
profound reverence. "And does my un
Gle live yet?''
"He and your aunt died fifteen year
ago" a
II am sorry for it. l should like t
have talked with them of our past errors
theirs and mine. It would have gratife
me to have done something for them, an
to have heard them retract some of thei
harsh words to me. How my heart warm
ed to the old village when I entered
Just now. I could have embraced th
messy palings. I could have knelt dow
and kissed the very ground. But wa
so impatient to see if you lived that
paused nowhere till l reached the schot
and found you gazing at my ship"
"You have brought back the heart {
Harry Bonner, whatever has become {
his vice."
| "You shall find I have" responde
Harry, ''for whatever money can procur
or affection and gratitude bestow, shall
yours from this hour, my dear master.
~"Brown what did you clear by tn;
speculation y II cleared my pockets.
said Brown.