The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-25
DECEMBER "a. ls4J.

| Mrs. Belmont covered her face; conyul-
| slve sob swelled her affectionate bosom. AT
ter moment, she continued
"The propertyleft, after all the debts were
paid, was five hundred dollars. The bills
| were enormous, but could not be disputed
| was sitting by the cenne-table, reading, on
the evening Mr.. Belmont came home He
entered the room with child in his arms,
followed by colored woman who was
nurse''
Mrs. Belmont stopped, while Mrs. Ashton
who had not moved from the commencement
OF the story, lay gazing intently into Mrs.
Belmont's face, as if awaiting further
development Of the little boys history.
Why are you so silent ~ inquired Mrs
B.
81 do not know" replied Mrs. A.; "but
feel like one in a state of mesmerism. That
child's look has paralyzed my very soul
| have seen HIM ever since. Pray tell me his
name. | long to know, for he so much
resembles one dear to me''
81 His fathers name was Henry Benton;
his" seeing Mrs. Ashton turn deadly
pale, sne inquired tne cause
Proceed - said the agitated woman
" tell me his mothers name, if you know,
before her marriage"
"Julia Crawford"
"Merciful God my sister ~ exclaimed
Mrs. Ashton
Mrs Belmont tenderly inquired into the
cause of her agitation, and sweetly soothed
her. After Mrs. Ashton became calm, she
informed Mrs. B.: My elder and only sis
ter, married contrary to my fathers wishes,
and thereby incurred his displeasure. She
loved her husband with the strength of her
young heart; nor was he in any respect un-
worthy Of her affections. My father is a
proud, high-spirited man; aristocratic in his
views, and fixed as the North pole in his
politics has an idea he is right, and every
one opposed to him is wrong. Mr.. Benton
was firm Democrat, as fixed in his princi-
pies, and unyielding g-During the contested
election of l8-, in conversation one even
ing, they became very warm. Many words
passed between them, and my father, being
highly excited, grossly insulted him. Mr..
Benton could not brook the offence. He had
born much for my sisters sake, but this was
a point beyond which forbearance ceased
to be a virtue" He thought separation of
a few years would allay the bitterness of my
fathers hateful vindictive temper; when he
would again return with my dear sister, and
all would be well. They embarked on
board packet-ship for Europe, and arrived
safe.-He had a handsome capital, which he
invested in goods, and entered the mercantile
business in Liverpool, where they were when
last heard from them. wrote to her of
ten, and Oh how have longed to see her
Although my father has never mentioned Mr..
Benton's name, know he is sorry, and
would give all the world, did he possess it,
to see Julia.-When entered your house
and beheld your child, his expression was
like flash Of lightning across my soul. |
see him still-my sisters own image"
Mrs. Ashton covered her face with her
hands and wept. She begged Mrs b. to
lead her to the child. Kneeling by his bed
side, she gazed upon his sweet face, as he
layunconscious of all evil, kissedhis forehead
cheeks and lips with all a mothers tender
ness, raised his little hands to her lips; nor
oouiu mie' D. pfeVdil upon HeT to leave Illln
She slept with him, and when Mrs. Belmont
arose she walked softly to the bed, and
found the little boy sleeping upon the bos-
ON Of his aunt, her arms closely encircling
him. Her face was pale with weeping, and
her long, loose curls were wet with tears of
a sisterly love. Mrs. B. bent over them
till they awoke: her first words were
"What think you now Of Odd Eel
lows ~
ooh will go directly home, and tell
my husband to become one Immediately !;
for where would this sweet child have been,
but for this blessed institution You will
surely permit me to share with you the
pleasure Of bringing him up. We will to-
gether instil into his opening mind the prin-
cples of Friendship, Lore and Truth; and
we will make his regalia, when old enough |
to be inflated into the society of Odd Fell
lows.
Halloo, there! You young man, with cigar
e.