Year: 1871


strange story has just made us acquainted
with its particulars. E g 1L


Thir.y-ihree years ago the second son
of family in which there were three
boys, being desirous Of bettering their
condition in life, left England for this
country, with an indefinite idea as 10 where
he should settle. aud only once thereafter
in a letter from New York, had bis family
any information that he was alive, -Four
wears afterward the elder brother came to
this country and has since been reputably
known in this city as a member of one
Of the most active professions. We are
precluded from saying more on this
head.


The week before Christmas our Boston
friend had occasion to visit Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, from which place he took
a night train for New York. An ObstrucS
tion on the railroad few miles west Of
philadelphia, caused delay Of some
hours near a small way station. Some
ono of thepassengers became tired of sit
ting in the cars and went out to explore
the locality, particularly with the view to
the procurement of refreshments In this
accomplishment there was little chance of
success rs the place could not even boast
of grocery There are men, however,
not to be foiled in their intents if any
means can possibly be found to carry them
out aDd-some Of these people happened to
be among the delayed passengers, and a
respectable looking farm house being near,
that class Of foragers invested it, called up
the inmates who were enjoying the COM
forts of their last hours repose, and
prayed for a supply of anything fluid
from cold water to cider, tea, coffee, bouT-
bon, or apple-iack. The owner of the
house good na'uredly opened it to his
clamorOus visitors, and dispensed his hos
pitality in various ways wilh no stinted
hand. What seemed singular to many
was,Ihe. fact that he would not accept Of
of any. compensation whatever, although
he had entertained at least twenty rather
extempOransous guests. They were all
prodeal Of gratitude and of ofers to re-
ciprocate at any time.


Our Boston friend was one of the far
mer's guests, and after thanking his host
with genuine feeling he handed the far
meT his card, telling him that a bed,
knife and fork and spoon were ready for
him whenever he should visit Boston.


The farmer looked upon the card, and
then, upon the presenter thereof, gazed
again and again at one and the other, and
having apparently at last made up his
mind, he said s siv .s' Ma .


"Why, Willie, is this really you y


The peculiar smile that accompanied
the inquiry. threw thiftySihree years aside
as one would fold back a curtain. Two
brothers had met after this long interval
the name on the card being the direct
cause of the discovery.


When the train left short time after
ward, it carried one passenger less to New
York OF course. the brothers had a
pleasant time in exchanging their respec-
tive "reminiscences.


But a yet more interesting feature Of
our story is to come. Our Boston friend
had the company of his brother to New
York, on his way hume. Having some
hours to stay in the city prior to the de-
parture of r the Stoninglon steamer, they
took saunter around the streets, to note
the temptations set out for Christmas
presents. "A lady's reticule hit the taste
Of The Boston brother and he determined
to buy it and send it to his sister-in-law
in Pennsylvania. They entered the store
to make the purchase, aRd nice Russia
leather portemonnaie was added as a
Christmas remembrance 10 Joe, which was
the name OF the Pennsylvapian brother.
The proprietor said the names of the par
ties who were to receive the gifts, could
be put on the satche, and wallet at little
expense or delay, and the suggestion was
hailed as an improvement 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 20 conversation,
to expla .ation, and fually, to the discSv-
cry that three long separated brothers had
there and theu met, face to face 1t would
require an able pen than ours to describe
the feeling entertained by the trio.


We are permitted to explain things
thus far; The third brother had been lit
lie wild in his youth, and had entered the
service Of Queen Victoria, in which he
bad remained during eleven years. His
regiment had been o. dered to Canada,
and being desirous of tasting freedom he
had improved a chance Of stepping over
The line. For fifteen years pvst he has
beenin business in New York, and haS
had worldly success corresponding with
that OF his elder brothers.-BostoH Times