Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-03-11

81 had not stood long, however, before |
saw a woman come walking slowly up the
garden, with large shawl over her head
the next minute she turned round and saw
me.
Oh, Lord is that you, sister ? said
she, in thin, weakly voice; and then
knew that it was my poor Agnes.
"' Lord have mercy on us = | cried out
but | did not say what was in my mind, for
she was sorely changed and looking more
like woman of forty than one not four-and-
twenty.
:" How arc you, Agnes, dear 2 said I,
for you look but badly
" She made me no direct answer; but o.
pened the garden gate.
"' He's not at h0Tre said she he's
gone a long journey: so come in, for have
a deal to say to your and with that she
caught hold of my arm and when ] looked
at her she was faintiug. set her down on
garden seat that was just by, and, as had
my smcling-salts in my pocket, she soon
came to.
She took me into pretty parlor, with
papercd walls, and good carpet on the
floor, and plenty Of mahogany furniture in
it; and there, poor thing she kissed nc,
and cried she was so glad TO see me She
then took me up stairs into their bedroom,
where was a four-post bed with morcen
hangings, and all carpeted and like a lords
house, for he loved to make himself COM
Portable; and there, poor thing she told
me such tale Of his tyranny, and his cold
hearted mans prerogatiyc,' as quite cur
died my blood, and made me take no more
pleasure in all his fine furniture, and things.
81 saw that she was not long for this
world, and my first thought was to take her
back with me but | know not if | should
have dared to do so but for her own self
&c know said She that my days are
numbered, and | pray God that it may be
so, for Pve no pleasure in life !; and if it be
consistent with His will, would wish never
to see Thomass face again in this world /
could die at peace with him while he is a.
way-but oh the very sound of his foot
steps sends a chill to my heart | ought
never to have married him. sister know
very well that it is wicked in me to have
such thoughts towards the man that | have
promised before Gods altar to love and obey
and this makes my sorrow all the greater
but | had no business to marry him, for
never loved him, as wife should-God for
give me =
"And when she went down upon her
knees before the large armchair, and with
her thin hands clasped together, and the
tears running down her pale face, she pray
ed for matter of five minutes--but for
what, / never knew; that was all between
God and her own soul.
''' Sister said she, after she had Gained
herself, and we had some seed cake and cOf
fee together, you must take me back with
YOU You must take me h0me-for this is
no home to me, never has been, never car
bel You cannot refuse me this | know
that have not long to live, and think thai
God has sent you to me at this time for thi:
purpose
''' And so think | = said I, and please
God you shall never set foot again in thi,
house, for all its fine hounced wndow-cur
tains and its carpeted hoorsr
81 need not tell you the history of oui
Journey, nor how father and Michael were
almost beside themselves when they saw
what poor death stricken creature she was
and we had never heard anything about it
for he would not let her write, and it was al
/ by mere chance that we heard of her be
ing ILL., My heart was nearly broken to see
her come back in that fashion, she that
had nursed upon my knee, and carried il
| my bosom, and loved like my own child
&c laid her on the best bed in the house
; and made her chamber as lightsome anC
, pleasant as ] could. set her a small glas
7 of cowslps and another of garden-tiower
upon the dressing table, for / knew she wa
fond of flowers; and whatever thought shC
: could fancy, made for hcr--but she had NJ
a more appetite than bird.
+ "' Sister, said she, two or three days al
i ter she had come to us, may the Lord bles
/; you for all your kindness to me | hav'
e just one thing now to beg of you-do no
. let Thomas come near me | have torgiy
(; Ell him what's past and | can die at pcac,
= with him, but oh ! | cannot see him again
y It's wrong | know, for wife to take agains
d her own husband and oh, as regards mar
c rying him, did very wrong but though
y he was a religious man, and that | shoult
5 have found peace and comfort under hi
= roof! Religion is a spirit of love and for
r bearance, and is full Of pity, and kindness
!. and humanity Thomas is not religion
d man-but for all that he is my husband, an
If with my last breath will pray for him an
y as | hope for forgiveness from God for a
g my wrong-doings and my pride, andmy har
;, heartedness, and my want of forbearancc
c others so do forgive him but | came
l. see him! Promise me this, sister--promis
+ that you will keep him from my bedside
o he should come-but think that eUeR Il
o cannot have the heart to trouble my dying
e bed p
G Il knew not justly what to do, nor who
l was right in such case but however,
l. promised her, and all the more because tn
/, doctor said that she would not last long, an
e that any sudden excitement might be tn
t. death of her and the minister too, he too
y her part when he came to pray with her
l and my hope was, that Thomas would nC
It come near u.s. However, | was wrong i
:, that, for in less than week, as was sittin
A by her bedside, thinking that she might b
n going almost any minute, she starts up i
h her bed, and who is that ? she said.
d 81 thought she was delirious, for hear
l. nothing.
e g" 1t is heP said she, and fell back upo
= herpillow, and cold shudderpassed over he
e " 1t was not long before Michael came II
and tapped at the door.
1t "'Now, do not let him in, | pray you
al Saws she