Year: 1863

NINE or ten years ago, a citizen of one 0
the towns in the eastern part Of Massachusetts
was unjustly suspected of crime which tht
statue cannot easily reach, but which deserv
edly brings upon him guilty of it the indigna
ton Of upright men. There were circum
stances which gave color to the suspicion, ant
the unfortunate gentleman suffered the misery
of loss of friends, business and reputation
His sensitive nature could not face these trials
and he fell into condition of body and MIND
which alarmed his family. At length, having
invested his property where it could be easily
managed by his wife, he suddenly disappear
ed, leaving her comfortable home and the
care of two boys, 10 and u years old. The
first fear that be had sought a violent death
was partly dispelled by the orderly arrange
ment of his affairs, and the discovery that a
daguerreotype of the family group was miss
ing from the parlor table Not much effort
was made to trace the fugitive. When, after
ward, facts were developed which established
his innocence Of the crime charged, it was found
impossible to communicate with him; and as
the publication of the story in the columns Of
several widely circulated journals failed to re-
call him, he was generally supposed to be
dead.


At the outbreak of the present civil war his
Oldest son, now a young man, was induced by
a friend, Captain in a Western regiment, to
enlist in his company. Re carried himself
well through campaigns in Missouri and Ten
nessee, and after the capture OF Fort Donelson
was rewarded with a First Lleuteuants com
mission At the battle of Murfreesboro he
was wounded IN the left arm, but 50 slightly
that he was stilIable to take charge Of squad
of wounded prisoners. While performing the
duty he became aware that one of them, a
middle-aged man, with full heavy beard
was looking at him with fixed attention. The
day after the fight, as the officer was passing,
the soldier gave the military salute, and said:


"A word with you, if you please sir. You
remind me of an old friend. Are you from
New -England?"


AZ am"


From Massachusetts? ?"


eyes"


And your name"


The young Lieutenant told his name and
why he came to serve in Western regi-
ment.


a thought SO" said the other, and turning
away he was silent Although his curiosity
was much excited by the soldiers manner,
the officer forbore to question him and with
drew. But in the afternoon he took occasion
to renew he-conversation, and expressed the
interest awakened in him by the incident Of
the morning.


al knew your father" said the prisoner
as he weII?"


ave have not seen him for years. We
think he is dead"


Then followed such an explanation of the
of his disappearance as the
young man could give. He had never known
the precise nature of the charges against his
-ather but was able to make it quite clear
that his innocence had been established.


81 knew your mother, also" continued the
soldier. "I was in love with her when she
married your father"


&" I have letter from her, dated ten days
ago. Ny brother is a nine months man at
Newt Orleans.


After little desultory conversation, the
soldier took from under his coat leathern
wallet, and disclosed dagueTeotype case.
The hasp was gone, and the corners were
rounded by wear.


"Will you obIige me- he said, "by look
ng at this alone in your tent?" Agitated al
most beyond control the young officer took
he case and hurried away. He had seen the
picture beforel 1t represented man and
woman, sitting side by side, with boy at the /
lnee of each.


The romantic story moved the commander
# the division to grant the youth furlough; |
md both father and son reached home last
week. dorchester Spy.