Year: 1859

Harry Butler was one of my earliest play-
mates, and in fact the only one ever had. His
mother was poor, hard working woman. said
to be but half witted, but strictly honest. His
iather, he never knew, except through Dame
kumor, who did not say anything very credita-
bic Of him. Brothers and sisters he had none
so that all the love which existed in his heart
was expended upon his poor mother and N.Y.
self.


His education, in common with my own, was
rather scanty, and did not include the classics,
nor any Of the higher branches but Just so much
as, thirty years since, were thought quite enough
to qualify poor boy for the active duties of life


But the love Of action was strongly implanted
in his nature, and the craving for fame, or hon
orable distinction, he carried with him as a
burden, upon which our conversation often
turned; and many were the bright castles which
our imaginations pictured as rising to the view
IN most magnificent proportions in that bound
less future, which to the young aspirant is. so
full OF regal grandeur.


Like all mortal things our school days termi-
mated, after time, and quite early in life we
separated, to learn different trades-Harry be-
ing placed under the charge of a manufacturer,
III an adjoining town, who proved a hard task
master, and very unkind man. Every Sabbath,
however, we met and held long conferences to-
gether still building air castles, and dreaming
Of the glowing future, and conjuring up a goal
for our ambition.


Thus several months passed, until one day
we were all startled from our proprety by the
announcement that Police officer was seeking
for Harry, who was charged with robbng his
employer of paltry sum; and while we felt as
sured OF his innocence of the crime our suspi-
cions were awakened by his absence, which was
now prolonged to nearly fortnight


AT last he presented himself weary and worn,
and nearly starved, and begged for protection,
but ere any gould be afforded, the dogs of the
law were upon his track, and with little ceremo-
ny they lodged him in narrow cell of the
county prison.


Previous good character availed but little
towalds his liberation By his employer, who it
appeared, had laid trap to test his honesty,
which yielded before the willy suggestions and
taunts OF his comrades, any of whom were too
wise TO he caught mapping on an occasion like
that presented to Harry, and consequently es-
capped detection, and were deemed more honest
than he, while they were, indeed, his tempters,
and had received the whole benefit of his crime.


Among the first cases called, at the sitting of
the court was that of Harry Butler, who plead
guilty, by advice of friends, and in view Of ex-
tenuating circumstances was discharged with
kind adinonition from the judge-a fine. noble





age, and frank, benevolent countenance inspired
respect and love from all, and made the seyerer
penalties OF the law, seem more easy TO be borne
from the very manner in which sentence was
pronounced.


But Harry's heart was nigh broken bv the
disgrace OF his position-frowned upon and
summed by his young associates his mother
nearly frantic with grief, and thoughtess per-
sons ever ready to point to his origin and ex-
claim against him, were enough to cause strong
er hearts than his to fail, in meeting the stern
gaze Of the world.


The circumstances prayed so heavily upon the
mother that a violent illness ensued, which in
few weeks terminated her life, and Harry was
LEFT an orphan, with no means, and not e, en-
character, upon which to build up fame and for
tune.


Soon after this, he suddenly disappeared,
and the most diligent inquiry on the part of
several who felt friendly towards him. failed in
gaining any trace of his retirement, and gradu
ally as the years wore on, even his name ceased
TO be mentioned and his memory lived only in


long lapse of years has interviewed, and
the wheel OF lime has made strange changes in
the fortunes of the characters have mentioned


The kind hearted Judge, and the accuser Of
my friend, have both gone before the Great
Judge, where their motives, as well as acts have
been passed upon, while but of that, no mat
ter-enough that ! am here. and welding nv
pen to day.


Weary and worn from the fatigue of an ard
uous profession, l had sought few DAYS rest.
at well-known watering place and on the last
day Of my sojourn, became disciple of Izaak
Walton, and sought pleasure in batting a crook
ed, ugly piece of steel with a wrthing worm. in
order to tempt the beautiful little fish to take it
into their mouth, that | might take them home
ior dinner VI course | was successful, for they
were very SHY little nSnss, reauy IU grasp any
thing that looked like TODD, without moments
thought, and then, when brought out of their
element, sqprmed about as though the change
vas very undesirable, and they would fain re-
turn. But my excursions resulted in something
else than mere piscatory enjoyment.


While quietly angling, with wife and baby
doing by my side, strange boat was pulled
close to mine, and friendly voice hailed me, in
tones which vibrated through my whole system.
1t seemed to take me back to the scenes of my
early YOUTH when no care sat on my brow, and
the voice OF my mother was the only one low
ed to hea,; and in a moment the events of life
time rushed upon my mind, like the quick flash
ing lightning, and somehow they were connected
with the voice of the stranger who had just shot
past me his gaily painted boat, but whom it
seemed impossible to recall to mind as one hav-
ing any connection with myself.


In my revery had not noticed that quite
struggle was going at the end of my line,
and that the rod was nearly out of my hands.
Recovering myself drew in finer fish than
had caught during the whole day, but it was no
temptation to continue the sport, and l immcdi-
ately returned to the hotel


Intent upon learning something of the stran-
ger who had made such an impression upon me,
l examined the "Register," and in a bold hand,
among the later entries found the name of
"Henry Butler, of California"


awaited with feversh impatience the re-
turn of my long absent friend-for such he ev-
identity was, and amid the crowd that thronged
the halls, We embraced each other, as if children,
and not men who had more than half run their
race in life.


Mutual explanations of course followed, and
| learned that the latter years of his life had
been full of incident and worthy of note.


Having neither money or friends, apparently,
he had left his native place stealthily and work
ed lis passage on a schooner to New York,
where he shipped on board vessel, bound as
he supposed 10 a southern port but in reality a
SLAYER, destined for the African coast for hu-
man cargo, which when obtained, was secretly
discharged, and the crew directed to get home