Year: 1859

A Touching Story-ssTruth Stranger than
Fiction"


We have just listened TO. the recital Of q
"most piteous tall" that, were not the circum-
stances already matters OF history, would seem
too strange for credbility. About ten years
ago there resided in England q sea captain, bis
wife and an only child-a boy Of five or six
years. A difficulty having arisen between an
aunt of the boy and his parents, the weman
maliciously abducted the child and escaped
with him to this country, aud found her way to
Providence. Here she soon wearied Of her ILL
gotten charge, and finally abandoned the little
fellow TO the tender mercies of the streets Of
Providence, whilst she left for the Far West,
whence Il is not known that she ever returned


The young English lad, thus left without
home or protection, Of course soon entered up
on q career that brought him to the notice Of
the magistrates, and be was sent to the Reform
School. The salutary training that be received
In that institution wrought change in the boy
and two years ago he was discharged as reform
ed. Since that time he has been constantly
under the observation Of the Superintendent
aud Trustees, and In no particular has he SEEM
cd to swerve from the right principles ineul-
Gated at the Reform School.


The aunt on leaving England had assumed q
false name but the boy had always treasured
in his heart the name and address Of bis father;
and after his discharge from the Reform School
by the advice of Mr.. Cushman, he wrote to bis
parents informing them Of his condition and
circumstances.


The effect Of that letter may scarcely be i'm
agined- described Il cannot be. II was as If
the grave had opened, aud their eldest born
had come forth to greet them. The father was
In the East Indies, in command Of ship Of
which he was large owner. When In dis
tant port he received the tdings that his son
olf ho na6f otslu lie int in
the vessel, resigned the command, and embark
ed for England, writing to bis son in Provi-
dence that God willing, he would speedily see
him face to face.


After the captains arrival in England, and
o hurried visit to his wife, he re-embarked at
once for this country to reclaim his loDg-lOst
son to his heart and home. Alas for the futility
of all earthly hopes When three days out
from England furious gale made havoc on
the ship, and falling spar struck the fathers
head causing almost instant death.


Slowly and sadly the storm.strickon ship toll
ed back TO the port Of departure, and the woful
tidings were sent to the mother who was wea-
rily counting the weeks that must elapse before
her husband and the first born son would be re-
stored to her arms. Although sailors wife,
and accustomed to look calmly on the perils of
navigation, this sudden dispelling of the pleas
ant vision quite overcame her. She was seized
with pangs of premature labor, and in few
hours joined her husband in the world where
separations come not, and storms and ship
wrecks are unknown.


The letter announcing the death of his father
and mother, as we have narrated, reached the
the boy in this city on Tuesday last, and as may
well be supposed, overwhelmed him with grief
and sense Of utter desolation. Let us hope
that He who tempers the wind to the shorn
lamb, will 80 guide and support this youth, SO
singularly and deeply afflicted, that he may be
enabled to recognize with lilal love the Father
who chasteneth whomsoever He loveth.