The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

Gatrell my wire ana our IIrrIe oaugnte.
set sail from Marblehead to join me at
Buenos Ayres, where I was lying and
thought to be dying from yellow fever.
never heard what their fate was until
tonight. The ship in which they sailed
was the Aspinola, and it was lost ut sea.
This is my wife's locket, which I gave
her, and this her wedding ring. This
little garment recognize as belonging to
our child, and this dear girl, seizing Ola
in his arms, lis my own child. My dar-
ling, don't you know your father?"
The scene which follows beggars de-
scription. We leave it wholly to the i'm
apination of the reader. The joy, the
sorrow, and the beWilderment which such
revelation would bring under such trying
circumstances, can be supplied by the
readers imagination.
The old sea captain, weak as he was,
almost shouted.
MY little gal is safe in port and now
kin weigh anchor"
MY dear old friend" said Burnett, TAX
ing the dying captains hand, heaven be
praised that you have lived long enough
for me to thank you for being such a father
to my child"
Captain Gatrell lived three days after
this event-lived to know that an army of
Americans had come to Manoa and cap
tured Major Bridges battalion, and then
died in peace and happiness, with full
assurance Of better life in the world to
come.
Mr.. Burnett was almost Immediately
put In command or an excellent crew on
the Xenophon, which was fitted up as q
privateer, and during the remainder of
the war, brief as the period was, per-
formed many brilliant exploits. When
the war was over he became captain of q
merchantmen.
When the war closed Captain Alton
had been promoted to Colonel and bre-
signed and went home. lie fulfilled his
engagement with the beautiful Ola six
months after peace was declared. 1t was
a grand occasion.
The village put on holiday appear.
ance. Captain Burnetts privateer yes.
sci, the Zenopnon, was in port, and
Lieutenant Dawes ordered salute fred.
The village church, which still bore the
marks Of British bullets, was gayly dec
grated, and the bell rang out merry peals.
Everybody seemed happy. Even Tom
my Rufiles, who had got over being
crossed in love and given his heart to
Susie Hatchet, Jacks eldest daughter,
was happy, as he and his betrothed
tripped along the flower strewn path to
stand up with the couple"
Old Jack Hatchet waited at the side Of
the path for the happy groom, and shak-
ing his arm until he threatened to dislo-
cate his shoulder. said:
@Ye must stand i, boy. It's wus'n .
D-.k H., h,1fc
Captain Simon Kinman looked hand
some in his new uniform as he waited to
SEQ how the Kearnel come eout."
In addition to those mentioned there
were present Henry Small, ST Cole, Sam
Perry and AL Jones, and many others of
our old friends whom we knew during
the DAYS that tried mems souls, all happy
and gay.
No one is so happy as thosV two who
have loved each other SO long. AS they
they are the ideal of happiness. The good
minister prays, the ceremony proceeds,
and they are man and wife.
Colonel Alton remained but short
time at the home cf his childhood, and
then removed to Baltimore, where he BE-
came IN energetic business man. Cap
tain Burnett in few years quit his sea-
faring life and spent the remainder OF
his days with his daughter.
In conclusion, We need only to say that
both Captain Alton and his father-in-law
lived long to enjoy the liberties for which
they had fought, and TO this day there are
many prominent people in Baltimore who
rightly claim 10 be descendants of the
deserter of the Xenophon.
1.-THE END