Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-03-26
BLOOMINGTON, l. T, FRIDAY, MARCH 2e, ls4l.

OF knowing you rendered the last DAYS OF your
father peaceful and happy"
From that hour, Mary Levingston was calm
and happy. Innocence and an approving con-
science supported her.
"Never," said Mary, to her sister, Mrs. NJ
on the morning of her departure, ''mention in
your letters the name of Mr.. James, who in flu
ture must be as one dead to me. Tell him,
when he returns. that my determination is I'M
alterabe, and bid him seek some more congen-
ia! alliance"
Weeks rolled round and found the calm quiz
ct of the Levingston's unbroken. The rose
was still blooming on the cheek of Mary. No
change had taken place in any except MIR. Lev
ingston. 1t was very evident to all his friends
that he rapidly failed. Every s,epof the hill
he was descending seemed to fatigue him, and
the only cordial that revived his fanting spirit,
was the presence of his youngest child. Was
not Mary Livingston, as she gazed on his pale
face and feeble frame, rejolced at the sacrifice
she had made to secure his peace Yes, the
happiness she now felt was of calm, endu-
ring nature. She could lie down and rise up
without listening to the uptraidIngs of guilty
conscience, without having to reflect that 1t
was her rebellion which had dimmed the eye
and parayzed the step of her father. Every
night before she retired, she received his en-
brace, and heard him say, "God bless you Ma
ry, you have been a dutiful child"
Late one evening, in the latter part Of Octo-
Der, servant entered the parlor where the fam
lily was sitting, with package of letters. He
delivered them to Mr.. Levingston, and retired.
The hand trembled that broke the seal.
"This is from our dear son." said he, turn
ing to his wife and holding up letter, "and
here is one for each Of his sisters. Let me
see, two of them are directed to Mary, here
they are, take them"
He now commenced reading the letter aloud,
which told Of the prosperity and marriage OF
his son, and his intention of leaving England
for home the following week. Then came the
description of the fire. The peril-the rescue !;
the name of him who had exposed his own
life to snatch stranger from the flames. At
this part of the letter Mr.. Levingston suddenly
stopped and left the room. In his study he
finished its pernsal.
"What does this mean!'' he exclaimed,
rapidly walking the floor, 4" 1t seems as though
the hand nf God was in this thing. would
that some other one had saved him. He asks
me to receive his deliverer as my son. Bold
request-and yet will do it. ! will receive
him as son, for he has saved the life OF my
Walter at the risk Of his own. For SO gener-
Gus, so noble an act, here bury my enmity
forever"
Mr.. Leyingston, with lighter heart than he
had felt for months, returned to the par!or.-
Mary met him a, the door.
This letter, dear papa" said she, 81 re-
turn to you. | have not read it, neither do
desire to. 1t is written by one have renoun-
ced forever"
keep it, Mary" said Mr.. Levingston,
sand cherish the memory of the writer.
have buried my resentment forever toward that
family. From this hour shall we not bless the
deIiverer of orr son %
Mary was astonished. She could scarcely
persuade herself that all was not Dream
Still holding the letter toward her father and
gazing immoveably in his face, she seemed
rather statue than human being.
"Do you think am trillrng!" said he, as
he pressed her to his bosom. No, Mary, |
love YOU too well for that. From this moment
YOU have my consent to become the wife OF
him, who, although so tenderly loved, yon felt
willing to sacrifice to the peace of your aged
father"
The intervening days, preceding the arrival
Of Walter, rapidly glided away in busy prepa-
ration. Suddenly, however, Mr.. Levlngsion
was taken dangerously Ill at midnight. His
symptoms were SO alarming that council OF
physicians was called before morning, when
an express was sent to New Y ork for his chill
dren.
Calm and collected, Mary Levingston nigh:
be seen noiselessly moving about her fathers
chamber No hand but hers could administer
his medicine, or smooth his pillow. The
thought of death-the death of her dear father
had not once crossed her mind. His life
seemed so necessary to his family, that such
an event appeared impossible.
IS las he come, Mary I"
"Who, dear father?'' she asked, STOPPING
and kissing his brow.
.'Walter. my son, has he come -
"It is too soon yet TO expect him"
6 Too soon," said he family, g fear then
shall never see him. The hand cf death is OH
me, my child, feel its chill"
You will kill me, dear father, if you talk
So You will soon be better. l thought this
was 20 be the happiest week Of my life,' said
she, bursting into tears.
"Mary,' observed Mr.. Levingston, 81 wish
you to be calm and listen to me. If should
not live to see my son, tell him he was his
fathers idol. Tell him to transmit the name
of Livingston, unsullied, to posteri,y, and to
be the comfort and support Of his widowed mo-
Their. One more message and | am done,"
said he, wplng the cold sweat from off his
brow. 'Hark ~ he exclaimed, hearing
a noise, "perhaps that is Walter" Finding
himself disappointed, he proceeded" request
Edward James to tell his father that die in
peace with all men, and joyfully entrust the
happiness of my daughter to his son. had
hoped to have given away the treasure with
my own hand, but that is all over. Leave me
now for few moments, wish to see your
mother"
That interview over there was a solemn ST.