s, was
silent in the tomb!"

Alonzo told Melissa that he had received a letter from Edgar, after he
arrived in Holland, and that he had written him an answer, just as he
left Paris, informing him of his reasons for returning to America.

When the time arrived that Alonzo and Melissa were to set out for
Connecticut, Melissa's uncle and Alfred accompanied them as far as
Georgetown, where an affectionate parting took place: The latter
returned to Charleston, and the former proceeded on their journey.

Philadelphia was now in possession of the British troops. Alonzo found
Dr. Franklin's agent at Chester, transacted his business, went on,
arrived at Vincent's, where he left Melissa, and proceeded immediately
to his father's.

The friends of Alonzo and Melissa were joyfully surprised at their
arrival. Melissa's mother was sent for to Vincent's. Let imagination
paint the meeting! As yet however they were not prepared to undeceive
her father.

Alonzo found his parents in penurious circumstances; indeed, his father
having the preceeding summer, been too indisposed to manage his little
farm with attention, and being unable to hire laborers, his crops had
yielded but a scanty supply, and he had been compelled to sell most of
his stock to answer pressing demands. With great joy they welcomed
Alonzo, whom they had given up as lost. "You still find your father
poor, Alonzo, said the old gentleman, but you find him still
honest.--From my inability to labour, we have latterly been a little
more pressed than usual; but having now recovered my health, I trust
that that difficulty will soon be removed."

Alonzo asked his father if he ever knew Dr. Franklin.

"We were school-mates, he replied, and were intimately acquainted after
we became young men in business for ourselves. We have done each other
favours; I once divided my money with Franklin on an urgent occasion to
him; he afterwards repaid me with ample interest--he will never forget
it."

Alonzo then related to his father all the incidents of his travels,
minutely particularizing the disinterested conduct of Franklin, and then
presented his father with the reversion of his estate. The old man fell
on his knees, and with tears streaming down his withered cheeks, offered
devout thanks to the great Dispenser of all mercies.

Alonzo then visited Melissa's father, who received him with much
complacency. "I have injured, said he, my young friend, deeply injured
you; but in doi