The parents of the deceased had resided in the village from
childhood. They had inhabited one of the neatest cottages, and by
various rural occupations, and the assistance of a small garden,
had supported themselves creditably and comfortably, and led a
happy and a blameless life. They had one son, who had grown up to
be the staff and pride of their age. "Oh, sir!" said the good
woman, "he was such a comely lad, so sweet-tempered, so kind to
every one around him, so dutiful to his parents! It did one's
heart good to see him of a Sunday, drest out in his best, so
tall, so straight, so cheery, supporting his old mother to
church; for she was always fonder of leaning on George's arm than
on her good man's; and, poor soul, she might well be proud of
him, for a finer lad there was not in the country round."
Unfortunately, the son was tempted, during a year of scarcity and
agricultural hardship, to enter into the service of one of the
small craft that plied on a neighboring river. He had not been
long in this employ, when he was entrapped by a press-gang, and
carried off to sea. His parents received tidings of his seizure,
but beyond that they could learn nothing. It was the loss of
their main prop.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181