The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-10-29
9elefte6 Gale.
THE REPOSITORY.


"I cannot account for it, mother, but |
feel so anxious, and so timid at the tho't
of going to the Repository--I fear the la
dies, who manage the establishment, may
notthink these things worthy of a place in
it" said Caroline Brady in low voice
to her grief.worn widowed p irent. as the
latter sat holding on her knee and to her
bosom fair haired boy, whose pale
countenance and sunken eyes testified
that sickness and want had recently been
exerting, but too strongly, their baneful
influence upon his frame.
'.And yet" continued Caroline, in a
still more subdued tone, "poor Alice was
always thought to draw and color so wellp
The mother sighed deeply-casting at
the same time mournfully expressive
glance towards corner of the meanly
furnished apartment, where lay asleep,
on q low curtainless bed, the fever-was-
ted form of her fair-haired and once
blooming Alice--her beloved first t-born
A tear dropped from the parents eye
Caroline observed the look, and its re-
suits. ooh, mother!" she exclaimed,
"you do not think Alice--our own dear
Alice-worsel She has slept soundly
for these two or three hours, and we are
told, you remember, that this would be a
favorable sign; this is the first time she
has slept SO calmly and sweetly." Again
the mother cast her eye on the form that
reposed on the humble couch, and said
with a sad expression, i would not cause
lessly depress your hopes, my kind Car.
oline, and do not think the violence of
tho fever is abated with Alice, as it has
been with this poor boy; but her fathers
death weighs sadly upon her, and there is
another crushing load that lies upon her
young affections; have you not heard her
murmur, in her broken dreams, the name
Of her betrothed. and spake to him as if
she believed him to lie under the deep
seal Edward Omer's silence for a year
or rather his deferred return, was press
ing grievously, though secretly, upon
your sister, before this illness, Caroline,
aud now it is fastening her." tears
stopped the mothers speech, and Caro-
line could not, and did not attempt to
reply.
"Bdt, Caroline, my dutious, affection
ate Caroline" continued Mrs. Brady,
when she regained her composure in some
measure, 1--WE must not cease to exert
ourselves; for while there is life there is
hope. Youhave borne uncomplainingly,
the loss of fortune and of friends; you
have been ministering spirit by your
fathers death bed and have followed his
remains to the grave, you have perform
ed every household drudgery, and have
endured, unrepiningly, the neglect and
scorn Of those around us; allthis you have
done, my good child, and you must still
bear on for the sake of these helpless
ones and me-" "Yes, dear mother, ex-
claimed Caroline, rising and throwing her
arms around her parents neck, Eyes, |
understood you'll will go once more to
the repository"
at is our last resource, Caroline for our
money is nearly exhausted. Go my dear
est girl. l donot blame you for being timid
and reluctant to make this first attempt to
sell oul little articles; can fullyenterinto
your feeling; but He who has armed you
to undergo so much, will support you still
mo more. my mother-it is enough"
cried Caroline. and Immediately she put
on her bonnet, took her parcel, aud left
the humble abode which contained the
wreck of her fallen family.
Caroline soon arrived at the Reposito'
ry, an establishment lit is scarcely neces,
( saryto tell) where small ornamental arti.
cles of female workmanship were pur.
chased and sold, and which was institu-
ted and managed by a number of respect
able ladies'. Caroline tremblingly knock
ed at the door of this place, and on. its
being opened, was ushered ipio a back
apartment, where several females were
waiting with the same object as herself
These individuals, however, unlike the
new conner, we're cheerful and happy
and as they waited to be received in turns
engaged themselves in light hearted con
versation. Poor Caroline placed her
self in corner, and sat unheeded BY
any Of her temporary companions, who
indeed, seemed to despise the unknown
stranger, attired as she was in sorely
worn black cloak, and large faded bon
net, which completely covered up he
fine features. The object of their neg
lect--nay, we are sorry to say, of thei
sneers--heededt them not; for herthought
had wandered back to the poorly furnish
edhome, where her beloved sister ant
brother languished in sickness and sor
- row. The image Of her mother roseul
in Caroline mind--ofher mother kneel
ing and imploring blessing upon he
dear ones; and then Caroline thought Q
her fathcr--she pictured him clothed il
the garments Of the blest, and filling
place in heaven as the guardian angel Q
hisberoayed,and sorrowing family, Hap