Washington telegraph., 1845-02-05


for her to remain any longer under his roof;
and she would have left it before, only that
she knew not where to go, and besides she
indulged hope that by remaining she might
bring reconciliation between her lover
and his father.
The young heir had been for some time
aware Of his fatheriodesigns, and had Urged
Mary tc elope with him, but as long as a
hope of reconciliation remained she had re-
fused. Now. however, there was no alter
native. Hengist's house was no longer a
place for her: and, without relative in the
world to wisoni she could appeal, the orphan
had no other resort but to throw herself into
her lovers arms. Accordingly the young
couple were married. And now began
their sorrows.
The rage of Sir James, on hearing OF this
union, almost killed him. His passions
were always violent, but they now seemed
fiendish. He swore he would dsnherit
his son, and Immediately cut off the allow
ance he had hitherto allowed his heir.
The appeals of the offenders were in vain.
The father was inexorable. lie wished to
see them starve TO death, he said, and then
he could surrender life willingly. The let
ters which Mary, unknown to her husband,
wrote almost daily,werc returned unopened.
Every one who might have assisted them,
was turned against them by the powerful
influence of the angry father, and in less
than three months, the young heir found
himself literally starving in the heart of
London. His education, however, had not
been neglected, and he sough, among the
bookseller for employment, determined not
to give up in despair. For long lime he
was unsuccessful, but finally found paltry
job. on which no managed TO live, until his
wife presented him with lovely babe.
Afier this, all means of regular Subsistence
deserted him. Yet he struggled on, en-
deavoring, when in the presence OF his wife,
to keep up cheerful counienance, and al
most consoled for his unavailing struggles
during the day, BY her sweet welcome, and
the smile os his babe at evening. But As
winter approached, and his last guinea van
ished, the iron began TO enter his soul.
Several times he made abortive attempts to
soften his father: and his vile also secretly
tried Tor aid in the same quarter, but in vain.
For more than a week they Eow subsisted
on their credit at a green grocer's shop, but
this would not last long, aud the almost
distracted husband knew not where to turn
when, Unexpectedly, this note arrived from
his iather.
His heat was full of high hopes, mingled
with ssrrcwtul feelings, as he hurried
through the tempest. The knowledge that
his only paren; was on his death bed, awoke
all the associations of childhood, bringing
back the days when his father doated on him.
The subsequent harshness of his parent
was forgotten; and with the glad hope that
he was going to receive and bestow for
givencss, the son proceeded almost breath
less TO his early home.
The massive door swung open at his
knock, the well known servant ushered him
in defereniially through the hall,a whispered
consultation was held at the sick man
door. and he was desired to enter.
With J palpitating heart he had waited
during the delay, and now rushed in, all
eagerness to be reconciled to his dying
parent. He saw nothing but the form sup
ported on pillows, and the pale face of the
invalid, and in an instant he was on his
knees beside the bed. and had clasped the
sick mans hand in his, while tears gished
from him like rain; for in that moment, with
the recollections of childhood, had come
back all its sofiness. But the hand was
rudely jerlled back, and scornfll laugh
met his ear.
''Hal hai-you have come, thinking
am about to make you my heir" began the
sick man, ''have you! And SO you have
began playing your part in this wayl have
sent for you for another reason, as you shall
learn, you villain"
The young heir started 10 his feet. He
could scarcely believe his ears. Could
those brutal words, that scornfll laugh, pro-
coed from dying man. and that man his
parent He stared increduIously at those
around, and then at the face of the invalid,
but thought he read pity on the former, hate
distorted the latter. Again his parent
laughed sneeringly.
$50 you come thinking was about ma
king you my heir, ehl Did your wife and
child, sir, come along. to cxut in my halls
before am coldl'
"Father-iather-" said the young man,
imploringly, as yet bewildered by this
strange scene.
"Don't call me father, you unnatural
child" said the invalid, half rising in bed,
and shaking his clenched hands. "You
have brought me to this-you have, you
rascal. But Ill have my revenge. You
shall starve, sir, starye-I had hoped to live
to see it-but Ill make it certain" |
"Sir James," said the son, Il will go
rather than stay to hear these things. And
may God forgive me and you for all that is
wrong between US.
sDare you, sir, talk of God forgiving you,
YOU villain7'' shouted the sick man almost
ioaming with passion, while the alarmed
attendants, not daring to Interfere, stood