Year: 1878

One of the parties to the following
strange story has just made us acquainted
with its particulars. Thirty-three years
ago the second son of family in which
there were three boys, being desirous of
lettering his condition in life, left England
for this country, with an indefinite idea as
to where he might settle, and only once
thereafter, in letter from New York, had
his family any information that he was
alive. Four years after, the elder brother
came to this country, and has since then
been reputably known in Boston, as a
member of one of the most active profes-
siOns. Weare precluded from saying moro
on this head.


The week before Christmas our Boston
friend had occasion to visit Harrisburg,
Pa, from which place he took a night
train for New York An obstruction on
the railroad few miles of Philadelphia
caused delay of some hours near small
way station. Some of the passengers be-
coming tired of sitting in the cars went out
to explore the locality, particularly with
the view to the procurement of refresh
ments. In this accomplishment there was
little chance of success, as the place could
not even boast of grocery. There are
men, however, who are not to be foiled in
their intents if any means can be possibly
found to carry them out, and some of these
people happened to be among the delayed
passengers; and respectable looking farm
house being near, that class of foragers in
vested it, called up the inmates, who were
enjoying the comforts of their last morning
hours repose, and prayed for supply of
anything fluid, from cold water to cider,
tea, coffee, bourbon or applejack. The
owner of the house gOod-naturedly opened
it to his clamorous visitors, and dispensed
his hospitality in various ways with no un-
stinted hand What looked singular to
many, was the fact that he would not ac-
cept of any compensation, although he had
entertained at least twenty rather extempo-
raneous guests. They were all prOdigal
of gratitude and of offers to reciprOcate at
any time.


Our Boston friend was one of the farm
ers guests, and after thanking his host
with a genuine feeling, he handed the
farmer his card, telling him that bed,
knife and fork and spoon were ready for
him whenever he should visit Boston.
The farmer looked upon the card and then
at the presenter thereof; gazed again and
again at one aud the other, and having ap-
parently made up his mind, he said:


"Why, Willie, is this really you?"


The peculiar smile that accompanied the
inquiry threw thirty-three years aside as
one would fold back curtain. The broth
ers had met after this long interval, the
name on the card being the direct cause
of the discovery. When the train left,
short time afterward, it carried one pas
senger less to New York. OF course the
brothers had pleasant time in exchang-
ing their respective "reminiscences.


But a more interesting feature of our
story is to come. Our Boston friend had
the company of his brother to New York
on his way home. Having some hours to
spend in the city prior to the sailing of
the StOningtOn steamer, they took saun-
ter around the streets to note the tempta-
tions spread out for Christmas presents.
A lady's reticule hit the taste of the Bos-
ton brother, and he determined to buy it
and send it to his sister-in-law 10 Pennsyl-
vania. They entered the store to make
the purchase, and q nice Russia leather
portmonnaie was added as a Christmas re-
membraRce to Joe, which was the name of
the Pennsylvania brother. The proprietor
said the names of the parties who were to
receive the gifts could be put on the satch-
ell and wallet at little expense or delay, and
the suggestion was hailed as an improve
ment on the value of the articles. The
names were written out and handed to the
proprietor of the store, who remarked that
he also owned the same surname. This
led to conversation, to explanation, and
finally to the discovery that three long sep
arated brothers had there and then met
face to face. 1t would require an ADLER
pen than ours to describe the feelings en-
tertained by thu trio. We are permitted
to explain things thus ar:-The third
brother had been q little wild in his youth,
and had entered the service Of Queen Vic
toria, in which he had remained during
eleven years. His regiment had been or
dered to Canada, and being desirous of
tasting freedom, he had improved a chance
of stepping over the line. For fifteen
years past he has been in business in New
York, and has had worldly success cor
responding with that of his elder brethren
This is our story. 1t has not the favor
Of deeply exciting romance or free imagin-
atian, but it is true, and as wonderful as
true.