Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-05-26
An Affecting Scene.

A day or two since, brawny son of
Scotia was riding in one of our street cars
A fine open countenance bespoke the hon.
est man. A certain sun-burnt, weather.
beaten appearance, with which old Nep-
tune seldom fails to brand his votaries, in
dicated that the stranger was accustomed
to seafaring life. 1t there could have
been any doubt on the point, it was CON-
pletely dispelled by the badge around his
cap. Those letters at once flied the heart
OF the spectator with mingled feelings of
horror and sympathy-horror at the
thoughts of the sad catastrophy which had
in almost a moment of time overtaken a
noble ships company-sympathy with
the one who stood there wearing the mark
that so surely indicated that he was one of
the few who had, as 1t were, escaped from
the very jaws of death. The letters so preg-
nant with meaning were these: Oneida !!
On the opposite side of the car sat one OF
San Frauciseo's esteemed citizens. He, toe,
was ''eanny Scot, and worthy scion of
a worthy race known among us, Familiarity,
as 'Alick Austin" The kind-hearted Alick
no sooner saw the talismanic initials than,
under the impulse OF such feelings as have
been imperfectly described, he addressed
himself to the stranger. Soon they discov-
cred that they were countrymen, and be-
came deeply concerned in a mutually inter-
esting conversation.
TIE story of the collision, of the rapid
sinking, of the firing the signals of distress,
and of the agonizing scenes which for a
moment preceded the final denouement,
were all told; and well told, for there is an
eloquence which, like beauty, "when un-
adorned Is adorned the most" The inter-
esting stranger was the very gunner who
had fired the guns which ought to have
carried to the ears of the wretched English
captain an irresistible cry for help. Loud
rolled the thunder of the guns, but no re-
lief came. Whilst it has heretofore been
denied that any such alarm had
been given, because Captain Eyre
must have heard it if it had been made,
here stood the man who fired gun after
gun, by the orders of his commander, un-
til the water began to rise to the level on
which he stood, and compelled him re-
luctantly to desist from the ineffective duty
IN which ne was engaged. He is in this
city, having been chosen as one of those
whose testimony is most essential to right
understanding Of this deplorable event in
| Washington. When asked if he would
have any objection to be interviewed"
| by reporter with the view of having
his deeply interesting details placed before
the public, he replied that sit was his duty
to make his statement first at Washington
The conversation turned upon the '.auld
countrie, and the stranger inquired with
some eagerness of Mr.. Austin if he knew
anything of brother of his, who many
long years ago was supposed to have emf.
grated to California At the same time be
mentioned the trade and full name of his
brother.
Mr.. Austin had belief that he knew the
man described well, but being unwilling tc
create feelings of hope that might after.
ward lead to the pangs of disappointment
he babe his countrymen accompany him tC
his Office, In order to search the directory
Directories were doubtless unknown in the
little village in Ayrshire, from whenct
hailed the open countenance and homes
relic of dreadful catastrophe. None bu
/ the great or the wealthy there succeed il
getting their names into books. Hence, he
could hardly understand how his brother
name could be found in a goodly-sized vol
ume. Search, however, was made, anC
sure enough there stood the name, correct
ly spelled with the initials exact, and tn,
trade precisely the one ne had learned il
his youth. Number-Jackson street wa
the address. ga mon" said the stranger
..can IT be possible that my brither's mann
is in print? Nay, nay, it Gamma be SO.
Mr.. Austin assured him that he need no
have any doubts on the point. The tear
began to roll down his cheeks thick ant
fast. The strong man was utterly subdues
and unableto control himself for a long time
At length. he exclaimed, .And shall I Sc
! my bonny Jennie?" Aye, she was a bonn,
lass you. Ye ken she was an auld sweet
keart of mine, but / was the sne'er DE-
weel" of TIE family, and her friends woul.
not let me have her. They did right. Sh
WIS over GUIDE for the likes of me, and 81
raw brother married her. God bless then
both; I've often prayed for them" Tn
two strong men together shed tears. The
one touch of nature had made them bot
kin. Arm in arm they started in search o.
No. = jackson street The address wa,
reached. The trembling hand of the ex
pectant brother knocked at the door; i
opened; sure enough, ''my bonnie Jennie
was there. The scene-we will not de
scribe it. The reader has been told all tina
he has any right to know.-San Fraacisc
Morning Cab