“’I did hasten.  I know not how I got there.  I rushed into his arms, I threw myself on his neck, and felt as if I too must die.  He was too much exhausted to speak; but he placed his hand on my head, and, slightly moving his lips, the expression of his features told, in plain language, that his heart was engaged in prayer.  He was praying, and for me,—­me, his unworthy son, and when I considered that I could not comply with his wishes without being a hypocrite, I thought my heart would burst.  For several minutes, was my dear father thus occupied; then, turning to my weeping mother, who was kneeling by the bedside, he softly uttered her name.  Alas! it was with his parting breath, for gently, as an infant falls asleep on the bosom of its nurse, did my revered parent fall asleep in the arms of that Saviour who had been his guide and comforter through life, and who accompanied him through the dark valley, and by his presence made bright the narrow path which leads to the abode of the redeemed.

“’The only earthly friend we had to look to, in our bereavement, was Captain Hartly; and he could only promise to assist me if I would enter the navy, or go on board a merchant-ship.  My poor mother objected to this, and I remained at home another twelvemonth, and again mourned the loss of a dear relative.  My sister Bertha fell a victim to consumption, exactly nine months after the death of my lamented father.  It was cruel to leave my mother under such circumstances, particularly as she remonstrated with me so earnestly on my project of going to sea, and offered to make any sacrifice, if I would consent to go to college, and follow out my father’s plans.  But my heart was fixed; and every visit from my godfather tended to inflame me still more with a longing for a sea-faring life; and, at length, I told him I was willing to be bound apprentice to a captain of a merchant-ship, rather than lose the chance of going to sea.  He eagerly embraced the offer, and in a few weeks the affair was settled satisfactorily for all parties but my dear mother and sister.  Marian wept bitterly when the letter came which concluded the arrangements, and informed me what day to be on board.  My mother went to see the captain, and entreated him to be kind to me.  But she knew not the disposition of the man to whose care I was entrusted, or I am sure nothing would have induced her to consent to my plans.  I dare say it is all for the best.  I shall, perhaps, learn my duty better with Captain Simmons than I should have done with a kinder master.  It is well my mother knows nothing of this; for, even believing I should be treated with the utmost kindness, the separation was almost more than she had fortitude to bear, and she bade me farewell nearly heart-broken.  I have never ceased to regret that I preferred my own will to the authority of my parents; I deserve all I suffer, and much more, for my rebellion against them.  This, madam, is all I have to tell you.  I hope you will