The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-07-30

lottc shuddered: but she soon forgot TIT
dwelling in the contemplation of its oc
cupauts. shadow of n woman, with
babe at her breast, sat beside a low he'd
with her elbow on the pillow and he
head upon her hand; her auburn hal
hung in dishevellcd luXuriance around he
pale face and from the long fringes o.
her dropping cye-lids the big tears wer,
slowly falling. But there was neither sol
nor sigh, so deep, so weary was her sor
row. 4 young man lay on the bed
whose clustering black curls, glowing
checks, and brilliant eyes, contrasted stri
kingly with the livid lip and brow, anC
hand so like wthcred lily. His quick
ear detected the presence of visitors he
tuned his head and sprang up with a glad
cry.
"Oh, Barton have you come TO softer
my dcath-bed! thought | was forgot,
ten by all the world Very different have
been our destinies since we played toge-
Their under the old elms that shaded the
old school-housc. Since the disastrous
fire that consumed my fathers property
and my own, and left me with my young
bride, scarcely month married, without
a house or solitary dollar | have seen
dark and sorrowlul days. The general
calamity seemed TO have swallowed up
individual sympathy, and there were SO
many in want that none found relief. /,
however, obtained situation as an under
clerk, i'll which capacity served until
disease laid me upon this bed, from which
shall arise no more. But how did you
discover me.
"iour physician appealed 10 me last
evening in your behalf, and when he men
toned your name, resolved to see you
as soon as possible. 1t was the first in
telligence had received of you since
your marriage. In truth, Beaumont, my
mind was so occupied that hardly thought
of you, or any of my early friends unless
| saw them, or their names mentioned.
But we must not lose time in idle chat
the doctor thinks there is yet hope of your
recovery"
"Oh, repeat those blessed words again"
cried Mrs. Beaumont, eagerly grasping
Bartons arm, "say once more there is
hope; for those words fall upon my bur
ming spirit like refreshing rain upon the
scorched and Tagging howrct."
"Mary be calm, my love-" said the
sick man, and his eyes filed with tears {:
"this hope, like most of those that have
arisen in your pathway, will soon be lost
in the blackncss of despair. | feel that
| must die. Do not weep so, Mary; We
must all die, and blessed are the dead that
die in the Lord. You will protect my
wife, Barton, and return her to her wi
dowcd mother, ard the widows God will
comfort and supper! her, and our father
less boy. Barton" said he. in a suppress
ed voice, "we are suffering for lack of
food and fire."
"You shall be speedily provided with
all things necessary, and servant also,
said Barton.
And if your lovely wife becomes a
widow" said Charlotte TREMENDOUSLY, "she
shall be taken care Of. She shall live
with us and be my sister, if she will {; or
| will accompany her to her mother S
dwelling"
"Bless you, bless both," murmcred
Beaumont, and poor Mary claspcd hcI
hands convulsively, as they departed to
procure and despatch to them the promls-
ed aid.
AS they proceeded homeword, they
were suddenly accostcd by a young man
of their acquaintance, with, "Mr. Barton
please step into this house."
lie Immediately sprang from the sleigh
handed out his wife, and opened the door
designated. Within all was confusion
and distress. In the centre Of the room
stood an lron-faccd man, an officer OF the
law, speaking in a threatening tone TO :
pale, dropping fellow man, around whose
knees four little boys were clnging, white
beautiful little girl, of probably tel
her arms about his neck, while the BIZ
tears streamed down her rosy cheeks am
, hung glittcring in the dark locks upon hi
/ temple. At the far side OF the room, wit
her face to the wall, sat female sobbing
C convulsively over an infant which wa
: crying most pileously. There was scarce
ly any furniture. "rhcrc is no use in a
: this" continued the officer, "comc alon
| say"
h "What has tho poor man done = tr'
\. muously inquired Charlotte.
" 81 presume he cannot pay his debts,
n replied Barton.
"And are they going to take him
C prison :" she inquired with shudder.
The weeping woman turned aroun
at is even~so,' she said. ole cam
II pay his debts. Last summer he lay SIC
of with the fever; after he began to recovt
q. those who had ostenlatlously trusted