The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-02-16
NUMBER 6.

Twelve years this very day-his birthday
he perishcd, Heaven 'kcns how! He
went out from our sight, like the loud that
passes over the hills-never-Dever to re-
turn. And, U Sir, spare father's feelings!
for to see it filled wrings tho blood from my
heart"
Give me your hand, my worthy soul p
exclaimed the seaman. II rcvcre-nay,
hang it would die for your feelings -
But Tom Elliot was my friend, and cast an
chor in this chair by special commission
| know that sudden broadside OF joy is u
preach sermon before telling you, oil l
have to say is-that Tom ant dead"
|sS--- -ssvsr utuHys-Balu 7Tggev, gvusPsuE
hand Of the stranger, and speaking with an
eagerncss that almost choked his uttcrance;
"Oh Sir! Sir ! tell me how how Did
ye say living lis my ain Thomas living?"
mot dead, do you say?' cried Mrs.
Elliot, hurrying towards him and graspinS
his other haud-' not dead! And shall
see my BARN again? Oh may the blcs-
sing O broken hearted mother be upon
the bearer o the gracious tidings? But
tell me-tell me, how is it possible. Asyc
would expect happiness here or hereafter,
dinna, diuna deceive me J"
deceive you!" returned the stranger,
graspiuS with impassioncd carnestness, their
hands in his-"Never never! and all 1
can say is-Tom Elliot is alive and hearty"
"No, no" said Elizabeth, rising from
her seat "he does not deceive us there ID
that in his countenance which bespcakn a
falsehood impossible" And sho also en-
dcavorcd to move towards him, when john
her.
GLANDS of, you land-lubb !" exclaimed
the seaman, springng towards them, cor,
shiver me- III show daylight through your
tin,bcrs in the turning of hand spikc."-
Aud, clasping the lovely girl in his arms,
betty Betty, my love!' he cried, "don't
you know your own Tom! Father, Mo-
thcr, don't you know me? Have you real
ly forgot your own son If twelve years
have made some changes ON his face, his
heart is sound rs ever"
His father, his mother, and his brothers
cluug round him, weeping, smiling, and
mingling hundred questions together
lIe threw his arms around the neck of each,
and, in answer to their inquiries, replied
"Wcll we'll there is time enough to an
swer questions, but not today-not today
mo, my BARN." said his mother, well
ask you no questions nobody shall ask ye
from us, my ioSe7 And, o kinut! where
where hae ye been ?'
1t is long story, MOTHER" said he,
and would take week to tell it. But,
howsoever, to make long story short, you
remember when the smugglers were pur-
sued, and wished to conceal their brandy in
our house, my father prevented them they
left muttcring revcngc-and they have been
revcnged. This day twelve years. | went
out with the intention of meeting Elizabeth
and her father, when came upon party
of the gang concealed in Hcll's Hole In
a moment half dozen pistols were held to
my brest, and tying my hands to my sides,
they dragged ME into the cavern. Here l
had not been long their prisoner, when the
snow rolling down the mountains, almost
totally blocked up its mouth. On the Sec
ond night, they cut through the snow, and
hurrying Inc along with them, was bound
to horse, between two, aud, before day
light, found myself slowed, like piece of
old junk, in the hold Of a smuggling lug
ger. Within a week, was shipped on
beard Dutch man. war and for six years
was kept dogging about on different stations,
till our old yawing hulk received orders to
join the feet which was to fight against the
gallant Duncan at Camperdown. To think
of fighting against my own countrymcn, my
own flesh and blood, was worse than to be
cut to pieces by cato nine. tails and, un-
der cover of the smoke of the first broadside,
l sprang upon tho gunwae, plunged into
the sea, aud swan for the English fleet
Never, never, shall l forget the moment
that my feet first trod upon the deck of
British frigate My nerves felt as firm as
her oak, and my heart free as the pennant
that waved defiance from her masthead -
l was as active as any one during the bat
tie; and, when it was over, and | found
myself again among my own countrymcn,
and all sneak ing ny own la9gnags, fan
cied-nay, hang It 1 amost beiieved-I-
should meet my father, my mother, or my
dear Bcss, on board OF the British frigate.
[ expected to see you all again in few
weeks at farthcst but, instead of returning
to Old England, before l was aware, it was
helm about with US. AS to writing, never
had an opportunity but once. We were
anchored before French fort; packet
was lying alongside ready to sail had a
half side written, and scratching my head
to think how should come over writing abb
out you, Bcss, my love, when. as bad luck
would have it, our lieutenant comes to me,
and sayes he, Elliot, sayes he know you
like little smart service; come, my lad,
take the head oar, while we board somo of
those French bum. boats under the batteries.
couldn't say no. We pulled ashore, made
bonfire of one Of their craft, and werc set
ting fire to q second, when deadly shower
Of smal-shot from the garrison scuttled our
boat, killed our commanding officer with
half of the crew, and the few who were left
l,R,, L. Ia Z. e