After London | Page 7

Even as a child you showed genius. You certainly made good
use of your gifts. I see from all that you have told me, that you were
always ready to embrace an opportunity; that you worked with
diligence, honesty and system, and that you began and ended all your
work with an honest purpose. God, upon whom you relied, has blessed
all your undertakings."
"That is true," said Mr. Vosky. "The fortune which I have accumulated
gives me pleasure; for with it I can help the needy. Many a poor lad,
like myself, have I (in memory of my own childhood) taken by the
hand and helped to become a man of standing in the world."
Mr. Vosky became silent, and after a long pause said, "I sorely regret
that my poor father did not live, to see how valuable was the good

training which he gave me, and that I was not permitted to make some
return to him for his love and devotion."
On the following day, Mr. Vosky and his guests started on their journey
to St. Petersburg. The route lay along a beautiful section of the country;
and so, with entertaining conversation, they reached their destination
before they had expected.
Mr. Vosky's home was a beautiful place. His family came forward with
warm greetings, and were introduced to Alfred Banford. The children
could hardly understand how any man who looked so shabby and worn
could ever have been their father's benefactor. The father, however,
explained to them that the trials and tribulations of warfare, through
which Alfred had passed, accounted for his appearance; and they were
moved to sympathy for his sufferings.
Mr. Vosky had his tailor furnish Alfred with a complete outfit, suitable
to his station.
Alfred remained with the Vosky family until the following spring,
when they escorted him to the wharf. Mr. Vosky gave him a large roll
of bills, for which Alfred thanked him, and said: "I will send you a
check for this amount as soon as I reach home."
"Oh, no," said Mr. Vosky; "rather give the money to some poor boy.
What we give to the poor always returns to us."
With many adieus and handshakes, Alfred departed; and the Vosky
family continued waving their handkerchiefs until the vessel was lost to
view.

THE CAPTIVE
CHAPTERS.
I. HOME-COMING.

II. THE SLAVE.
III. IN THE TURKISH FAMILY.
IV. THE LION.
V. THE OFFER.
VI. THE PLANS.
VII. RESTORED TO FREEDOM.
[Illustration: The Master of the House.]

THE CAPTIVE
CHAPTER I
HOME-COMING
Early one morning, Antonio, a noble youth of sixteen, was wandering
by the seashore. He had just come from a high school in Salerno, Italy,
and wished to spend the Easter holidays at his father's ancestral home.
The earth looked gay in all the beauty of spring, and the sea shone in
the rosy light of the morning sun. Antonio's heart glowed with
adoration as he gazed upon the scene, and he thanked the Creator of all
these wonders. With hurried steps he continued his way, thinking of his
home and the reception awaiting him.
His parents were of noble birth. They had lost considerable property
and money; but they desired to give their son every advantage
and--what was worth more than money--an excellent education. From
his earliest childhood, they had taught him to reverence God and
respect the laws. All his talents were being carefully developed. At a
great personal sacrifice, they had sent him to the high school. Here
Antonio denied himself many pleasures in which his richer classmates
indulged, and tried in every way to live economically. He made no

secret of his lack of money, nor did he envy those who possessed more
than he did. So on this particular morning we find Antonio saving
traveling expenses by making the journey to his home on foot.
The path led through some tall bushes and curved around a huge rock.
Here he suddenly espied a queer looking vessel lying at anchor. Several
men with swarthy faces, clothed in a strange, odd fashion, were
drawing water from a spring which gushed from the rock. They were
pirates from Algiers. As soon as they caught sight of the boy, they
sprang upon him, like tigers upon a harmless lamb, seized him, dragged
him to the ship, robbed him of his beautiful clothing, dressed him like a
slave, bound him hand and foot and placed him beside some other
captives, who greeted Antonio with loud cries.
When Antonio had recovered from the first great shock, he folded his
chained hands, and turning his eyes towards the heavens, he cried aloud
to God for strength to bear this great trial, and for safe deliverance from,
the hands of his enemies.
The other prisoners, mostly Italians, had understood his prayers and
were