The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-09-05


been friendship in life and in DEATH
''Audrew, said !, sobhng, can forget Mnu
(" 'And I, do yon think tfat I shall forget him, the
brave boy! Poor child wonId have given my blood
TO have seen You happy
al, was necessary that the bread Of my father
should be made less bitter him; my mother blessed
me. 49, Il became the wife Of Andrew and at
the foo, Of the altar swore, before God, TO cherish
and revere, until the last hour, my good old hus-
band.
"Ahdl have kept my VOW" said the pious girl,
raising her pure eyes TO Heaven.
''Two years after this" resumed she, in fh!ter-
ing and heart rending voice eft was night
. eleven oclock--all silent in the house.
Leaning on the window Of that very room
from whence my father had banished Maurice
alone with my own thoughts, Iwep over the mis-
cries Of my lifc My eyes wandered to the
place where when children, we had played together
to that place, before the house, where every night
we said Good bye, till tomorrow To the beautiful
view of the Alps, which the a, the moment light
cd up with her melancholy rays THAT we had admir-
ed together. These mountains we had
climbed and W th cries of triumph, had attained their
snmmits. These Alps, these mountains, had not
changed their places nor | And he!
Maurice! Maurice do you hear me, do you
sec mel cried ], with sobbng voice.
cat that moment heavy sound interrupted the
deep silence ofthe night; was coming
the steps quick; they drew near
er-oh! it like marching my heart they
stopped before the window; rushed out
and when I came to myself was in tho arms Of
~
loved! my adored Clara, can call you by those
dear names for you shall be my
have gained gold, much gold, Clara
my Clara! have returned to claim you for my
BRIDE
| "And did not go mad! I did not die on the in
start! Madame; but from my parched throat issued
these words: am the wife of Andrew, Maurice.
"'Tho wife of Andrew!' he repeated, wildly.
'tOf your benefactor, Maurice. -. Fly!
afar Off, afar off, Maurice! =. We shall
mee, again in Heaven, e.. this earth,
mover!
"a groan escaped from his beating heart. 'Adieu,
| Clara Oh! wretch that l am, that I
cannot die = . he disappeared.
"May God protect thee, Maurice, my beloved !
Oh! that too could die cried I, stretching out my
hands towards him, though he could not hear .
i was speechless with emotion recalled the sub
lime movement ofClara when, in to my
vague consultations, she took the hand Of her husband
invoking his gray head the protection of heaven
and was ready to fall on my knees
before this modes, girlhs type pure OF the most
admirable virtue.
"And from that day, Madame" she continued, 81
became completely wretched. Until then my sor-
! rows had been shared and consoled by devoted by
Two devoted hearts that pitied me- From that time
the luxury of crying aloud was denied me,
The secret of my g.ef was reserved for God alone!
''Some months passed; the health of my father had
become very much worse. In the month u August
1928, he was confined to his bed from which he nev
err rose.
| como morning my mother and were standing al
the foot Of the bed OF the poor invalid, who after
| painful and disturbed night appeared to sleep. We
noticed terrible alteration in his features The rays
Of the rising shining the curtains Of the
bed, sad light upon the face of the sufferer and
for the first time my mother perceived the terrible
| atty of his situation.
"'AI then is over,' she murmurcd raising towards
heaven her weeping eyes; 'his life, oh God his life
| for mine p
'sMy father moved he turned upon his pillow, and
fixing on me long and penetrating look, Some
here, Clara, said he, with effort. approached
close to him. lie took my icy hands in his hot and
feverish Ones
"My daughter, promise me tina. you will no
curse my memory"
eel have prayed and will pray, all the days Of m,
life for my father said l.
"He trembled, large drops of sweat stood on hi
forehead. . cast down my eyes that
! might not see tho humiliation Of my father.
".Clara,' he resumed with trembling voice., 't'
preserve you from want, that hdeous leprosy, whic
gnaws, degrades and embitters all all.
TO avert from me the sad consequences of low
match, . Ihare lied in the face of CO.
and man. Maurice is not dcadp
"NIy mother uttered piercing cry. .a
s'I know it, . answered
"'You knew il you knew it, and never has on
word one look, accused your guilty father, and yo
have worn out your strength and your life in tendin
and watching him TO his last hour a.rsf .,.r.
sssMy sainted daughter cried my mother ,easpin