Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-02
NUMBER 81.

heard from for nearly fifteen years, had
driited across my way on the vast and
painless ocean All, tow often since
have | asked myself il q Providence
could be cearer-il this, with all its
consequences 10 my alter-lile, could
have been had not lie who keepeth the
winds as His treasures and measures the
oceans in the hollow OF His hand so ord
cred Tor the iuTtherenCe OF His own wise
and benelicent will Not o thought of
anger toward my brother crossed my
mind-not solitary harsh memory OF
the past. My heart yearned to him with
tender and womanly love, and the sn-
ly shade on the brightness OF my Joy was
the slight doubt whether he would feel
thus toward me. The order had already
been passed on the Helen 10 lower away
a boat, and my voice sounded husky and
unnatural as shouted back an Invitation
to her master to board me in person. |
recognized John with the aid of my
glass as he returned a hearty 'Ay, ayr
and dropped lightly from the iuttock-
shrouds into the boat. In ten minutes
he lay alongside OF my vessel, and in
two more stood upon the deck. Ire
member how we'll my heart bes. aud
my tongue refused its Office as he step
ped forward 20 greet his stranger host;
how be stopped suddenly as il frozen to
the deck when he looked full at my face
how his whole frame trembled and his
cheeks grew ashy pale as he almost
whispered. Joseph .
John !"
"And then we were clasped in each
others arms and we sobbed like chill
dren, while each bid his face on his broth
er's shoulder"
"Kelson told ME allerward how the
rough seamen gszed at us for while in
astonishment, and then, with delicacy
OF feeling which even such unrefned na-
lures can sometimes exhibit, moved qui-
etly of; but 1 forgot for while that
thero was any one else on the ship besides
my new found brother and myself. IL
was full five minutes before either OF us
could utter a word. and then after few
briet expressions Of surprise and pleas
ure, John sent word 10 his first officer
that he would spend the day on The Ari-
adne and giving our orders 10 keep tie
ships together, which was easy enough
now that both were in the same current,
we retired together to my cabin
That day was, honestly believe the
brightest and happest of my life. Not
word was said by either OF US in reference
to any jar or unpIeasantuess in the past
not reproach for long and unlraternal
negligence through all these years OF
separation. Each listened eagerly to the
story OF the others life, questioned closely
for every minute detail, sympathiled
with every slight misfortune, and ex-
pressed hearty pleasure in every Incl
dent OF happiness or success. | learned
how John had passed year after my de-
parture in uncertainty as to his plans Tor
the future, and in the vain effort TO break
the resolution of Ellen Jones. Then he
purchased vessel, as | had done, and
crossing the ocean ran for two years be-
tween New York and the West Indian
ports. His career was not as fortunate
as mine had been. and when. after eight
years oil seaman's adventurous life, he
was rewarded for his faithful devotion by
the hand OF the woman whom he loved,
h0 was no richer than my father had left
him. Ellen had made two voyages with
him-one just after their marriage. and
one two years later, after their baby died.
John lost money on this last trip, bat was
steadily repairing his fortunes, when,
about year before our meeting, he lost
his ship and cargo off the coast OF New.
foundland, barely escaping with his life
by the assistance Of q fshing-vessel which
had answered their signal of distress
This misfortune had rednced him to very
straitened circumstances, and he had left
his wife with FIVE little ones at home,
hoping for q successful venture to the
Cape, every guinea Of his capital having
been invested in half interest in the
Ellen and her cargo. There was nothing
to require our attention, as our ships
were lying as still and motionless, but
for the drift, as if riding at anchor in q
roadstead; so We talked together until
the steward announced dinner, and after
that adjourned TO the quarter deck with q
box OF cigars and bottle of wine,
where we resumed our conversation, the
weather remained unchanged. and shall
never forget the quiet happiness of those
hours as we sat under the awning look
ing at the Cape pigeons and the schools
of flying fish, and chatting about the
pleasant memories OF our boyish days.
II was near sunset when John Afford
asked me to signal his boat. and soon
atterward he left the Aradne. We both
expected the wind 10 rise during the
night, but intended keeping our ships to-
gether until the next day. and so made
sll our arrangements tor signaling, So
that we might not part company in the
darkness.
,iWhan 7 wont haiow na, EaIson at