The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-06-11
WILD FRANKS RETURN.

WILD FRANKS RETURN.
TThe following thrilling sketch, the main Incl
dents Of which were OF actual occurrence is from
the pen Of tho venerable Walt Whitman. 1t has
long been out OF print, having been contributed to
the Democratic Reuiel7 Of November, Isil.-Edifor
ShiPpensburg Chronicle.
AS the sun, one August day some fifty
years ago, had Just past the meridian Of a
country town in the Eastern section of Long
Island a single traveller came up to the
quaint, low-roofed village tavern, opened its
half-door, and entered the common room.
Dust covered the clothes of the wayfarer, and
his brow was moist with sweat. He trod
with a Tagging weary pace, though his form
and features told of an age not more than
nineteen or twenty years. Over one shOul-
der was slung sailors jacket, and in his
hand he carried q little bundle. Sitting down
on a rude bench, he told a female who made
he1 appearance behind the bar that he would
have a glass of brandy and sugar. He took
Off the liquor at a draught, after which he lit
and began to smoke a cigar, with which he
supplied himself from his spocket-stretching
out one leg, and leaning his elbow down on
the bench, in the attitude of a man who
takes an indolent lounge.
''DO you know one Richard Hall that lives
somewhere here among you ." said he
''Mr. Halls is down the lane that turns off
by that big locust tree" answered the wO-
man, pointing to the direction through the
open door cts about half a mile from here
to his house"
The youth, for minute or two, puffed the
smoke from his mouth very Ieisurely in 81
l.. 1 -4F
sufficiency, rather strange in one Of so few
years.
81 wish to see Mr.. Hail." he said, at length.
"Here's a silver sixpence for any one who'll
carry message to him"
"The boys are all away. It's but short
walk, and your limbs are young, " replied the
female, who was not altogether pleased with
the easy way of making himself at home,
which marked her shabby-looking customer.
That individual, however, seemed to give
small attention to the hint, but leaned and
pulled his cigar smoke as leisurely as before.
"Unless," continued the woman, catching
a second glance at the siXpence; unless Old
Joe is at the stable, as he's very likely to be.
III go and find out for you" And she push
ed open a door at her back, stepping through
an adjoining room into yard, whence her
voice was the next moment heard calling the
person she had mentioned, in accents by no
means remarkable for their melody or soft
ness
Her search was successful. She soon re
turned with him who was to act as messen-
ger-a little, withered, ragged, old man, a
hanger-on there, whose unshaven face told
plainly enough the story of his Incorporate
habitS-thOse deeply-seated habits, now too
late to be uprooted, that would ere long lay
him in a drunkards grave. The young man
informed him what the required service was,
and promised him the reward as soon as he
should return.
'"Tell Richard Hall that I'm going on to
his fathers house this afternoon. If he asks
who it is that wishes him here, say the person
/ sent 10 name, sitting up from his indoIent
! posture, as the feet Of Old Joe were about
/ leaving the door-stone, and his bleared eyes
turned to catch the last sentence of the man
date.
/ "And yet, perhaps, you may as well" ad
ded the youth, communing moment with
himself; you may tell him his brother
! Frank, wild Frank, it is, who wishes him to
come" The old man departed on his er-
! rand, and he who called himself wild Frank
: tossed his nearly-smoked cigar out of the
/ window and folded his arms in thought.
No better place than this, probably, will
/ occur to give a brief account of some former
I events in the life of the young stranger rest.
/ ing and waiting at the village inn. Fifteen
miles east OF that inn lived farmer named
Hall, 4 man Of good repute, well off in the
world, and head of a large family. He was
! fond Of gain-required all his boys to labor ir
proportion to their age,-and his riCht-hand
man, if he might not be called favorite, was
his eldest son Richard. This eldest son, an
/ Industrious sober-faced young fellow, was
invested by his father with the power of sec
ond in command and as strict and swift
obedience was prime tenet in the farmer:
domestic government, the children all quietly
submitted to their brothers sway-all but
one, and that one was Frank. The farmer.
wife was quiet woman, in rather delicate
( health and though for all her offspring shC
had a mothers love, Franks kiss ever seem
cd the sweetest to her lips. She loved hin
more than the rest-perhaps, as in hundred
similar instances, for his being so often a
fault, and so often blamed In truth, how
ever, he seldom received more blame than II,
deserved, for ne was a caprcious, high tenn
pered lad, aud up to ell kinds of mischief
From these traits, he was known in TIN
neighboThood by the name of Wild Frank
Among the farmers stock there was fint
young blood mare-a beautiful creature
large and graceful with eyes like dark-hue,
Jewels, and her color ,has Of the deep night