Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-10-11

As had not answered his request Tor
money, the good man had said in his sim
plici,y, :. he will be here in person." and
day after day he had looked for me. The
words with which he saluted me were
these .. on have lost 10 time. sir -
Doubtless you thought, and justly. tina.
death might come in the way if delay
took place. All! am glad 10 see you !;
i. is a proof Of your unwearying kindness
TO your relatives" What could do =
My purpose had been 10 visit Marsedles
for the theatre only but there was de-
gree Of touching simplicity in the physi-
clans manner, which had more effstt in
preventing me from disclosing -ahe With
Than would have been produced by an
tack upon me for negligence. ! felt,
impossible to avow TO such man the ~
and sole purpose Of my visi. TO MarseilleA
and, accordingly, instead Of going straight
10 the theatre as intended, l walked
away with the doctor TO my sis.er-in.
laws.
Il found her in most wretched hovel.
scarcely penetrated by a single ray of the
sun Near the bed Of the poor sufferer
stood an object which drew my first at
,en,ion. This was her little girl, with
large black eyes. beautiful curling locks,
aud countenance finely formed and intel
ligen,. while marked al The same time by
degree Of grave resignation, the result
Of the precocions habi,ude Of suffering
How interesting the creature seemed 10
me! Eel. a, ti.s. as il could have Ia
ken her fondly 10 my arms; bu. sordid
avarice suddenly in,erposed, and struck
me with Tie thought, that, if ! allowed my
self to be moved. l must assureily burden
INV self with new and heavy duties which
nigh. press upon me for life. ! involun-
,ariIy shrunk back at this base sugges ION
of the demon within me. The physician
saw The movement, and. good man. he as
cribed j. to pity. The sight OF .i's
misery touches you. sir" said he; "ou'
The physician mus! look clvseiy into the
ills i hich he would cure. II is you who
mus, be The physician mere. Come nigh
your poor relative.
~ hen my sis,er-in-law noticed my ap'
proach, she made an effor; TO raise her.
self. There was upon her faded counien
auce, mixture Of sadness and pride.
which told me plainly, il had cost her
much to apply TO me. She descended to
no COUGHING en,rea,y, but, raising her I'M
ger, which, irembled with weakness and
euo.ion. she pointed to her little girl. and
said, in low. touching tones, "See that
swce, angel, the gift Of heaven! She
will soon have no mother -
Equally true and d'sgraceful it is. that
this appeal did no. conn,eract or wipe
way the mserIy fears which had bese'
me. answered even in cold tones
:. Why entertain such fears! You are
young you have good physician. You
despair unnecessarily" Any man would
have added. You have brother in-law'
100, who will give you every comio:s IN
his power" / added no such words
Ny only though. was how TO escape from
The threatened burden in the easiest man
ner. Meanw bile the lille girl had been
gazing on me with eyes which seemed 10
indicate tina, e. en- she felt the want Of
cordiali,y in tina. relative who had come
to her mothers side. A.leng'h while
stood in my uneasy uncertainty, she came
close to me and said, "Sit down upon
the bed, for you are too tall TO let me KISS
you if YOU 81 nd" sat down. and The
child climbed upon my knee. The bre>
ton closed her eyes. and uplifled her hands,
as if praying in aid Of the childs possible
influence
Alas feeling that my danger increas'
ed, l bu. hardened my hear. the more'
and chung more closely to the idol whom
worshiped. My brow even contracted
frown. and there was drop Of persPlra'
lion upon it, as gazed upon the child.
She. however, was no, deferred from
kissing me. :. Will you be my pa !!
said she II shall love you WE'LL How
| like you are 10 my dead papa! lie was
good, good are you good also g Inc
.ouch,ng grace Of this inian'ins aPPea.
was lndescribabie. fel. its Influence and
il moved me-,o what! to uutwine the
arms Of the child rudely from my meek.
and 81. her down upon the floor! Iae
effect Of this repulse upon her was sul>
king and instantaneous. She cast on ne
glance, in which surprise. disappoins>
men,, and fear were mingled. and tcar'
gathering in her beautiful eye rolled SOW
" down her cheek. Her silent sorrow
did VIVA, her endearments had Utterly
failed 10 do. A sudden revolution took
place in my feelings. As.by an enc''an'-
er's wand, the utter brutality OF my avaf-
;c,ons self-loye was Land before my eyes
in all its nakedness | shuddered at me
spectacle. and yielded ins.an'an eous'y
70 the better feeling awakened. sas.'-
ly took Up The child. and exclaimed, I "a
no INV hand UPON her head, Beiore