The Morning herald., 1877-11-03


me. wien he had become more composed,
lis as think, Emily Willians" "Ygl Il
1T is"
, 'Then you are my sister," said he, shak-
ing me by the hand with warmth evincing
true, brotherly affection, which, IT tho
prompAngs Of my heart were truly mani
tested, was given back in no stinted meas
ure of sisterly regard.
'Though you were only four years old,
said he, "when, like the wild, headstrong |
boy that was, left my pleasant home,
used often to think of you. Mrs. Bray, on
whom first called to inquire concerning
my daughters, said thaty looked like me-
and I believe there is some resemblance be-
tween u.s."
Itold him that thought so too, though
abstained from saying that he was much
the handsomer of the two. Already felt
proud Of him, and was satisfied that what
ever might have been the errors Of his boy
hood, he had forsaken them, and repented
of them as well, and was now frank
hearted noble minded man.
"And YOU never received any Of the let
ters I sent you?" said he, in answer to the
inquiry Of his daughters.
"No," replied Annie; I'VE never had
single line from you after you left us. Only
few months afterward news came that
the vessel you went in was lost, and that all
| on board was supposed to have perished.
mo, not all, as I am here to testify.
WAS one of the few, in the only boat among
several which left the wreck, that was ever
heard of. When nearly exhausted, we were
discovered by a vessel bound to California,
and we're taken aboard. We arrived at the
place of destination in safety, and once
there. 7 was determined to remain until l
had accumulated competency"
'Did you work at gold-digging, father"
said Cathie."
..The first two years did, but at the end
If that time it began to grow less remuner"'
tive and so turned my attention to othei
hu :; mess which involved less hardship and
was better pay. The first fruit OF my iaoor
after arrived there sent to my agent Tor
vonr benefit. At the same time sent q
letter to you, and another to Mrs. Bray.
In the one to her requested that she would
remove to a more comfortable residence
and in other respects change her mode OF
living for the better. You may think, ne
added, directing his speech to me, THAI
I did wrong to leave my children with q
woman in such INDECENT circumstances al
Mrs. Bray. The truth is, the low state O.
nv finances obliged me to do 1t. She wa
= the only person could find whose name
Of living had any claim to decenoy an'
comfort, who would undertake the care o
l them for the compensation had in m!
mower to offer I knew something aoou
e her, too, as, when my wife was living sh
r used often to assist in the harder partof tn
= bouse hold labor. AS the remittance
. sent failed to reach her, l tremple
think what might have been my daugf
g ters' fate had it not been for you."
h "Please, dear father, don't think OF it
- ALL" said Cathie. ,
1t eve have more cause for thankfulnef
E than regret" said Annie. IF what 20
Is sent had been received, we might nevf
have met with Aunt Emily" ~ /.
t. "And we have been so happy with her.
said Cathie. "We have felt sad only whe
in We thought that we should never again 81
!. n. you" ......, H., ..;d
a "your daughters have always kept sacred
'S "What day." he asked. ',' ".'
"That on which you left them, neve
's more as they believed, to return"
o. "T will never leave you again, dear ones
he said. "There is, in truth, no long
!" apv need thatI should go in quest
SO wealth, for have enough and to spare.
ny "only promise me one thing s"'o
no "and shall be content
he IT owe you too much to deny you o.
reasonable request" he replied. .
y II hope you won't call it unreasonao
ed I only ask that we four, who, putting I
~ mast and the present together, have
much to be thankful for, may, from u
Ill., time, constitute one family"
e's "My own wish exactly. And you' AM
EN- and Cathie-what do you say?'
We .eNo nlace would be home to US withe