Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-10-15
VOLUME ll-.,NUMBER 1.

GTansdru had never heard it--kuev nothing Of
him. Soon after, Edgar took an opportunity to
| linger behind the congregation ard hold imlo
conversation with the srXiOn. From him he
learned that the pale gcnlleman's name was San.
dys, and that he had lost his wife about Two years
since. He also mentioned their place Of resi-.
dence, but this Edgar already knew, having n.
dopIed the simple expedient Of following them
from church ill he saw them enler ter small,
unpreIending dwelling.
Some weeks afer this point was gained, he
made further discovery. Entering accidentally
the office Of a moneyed institution one morning,
he found Mr.. Sandys occupied at a desk, and
learned that for number OF years he had filled
the sualono of one Of lis officers. The dwelling
place aud means Of living however-Ihose bare
iacts-were all that Edgar had as yet learned re-
uliye TO those objects Of his unceasng interest,
Notwithstanding he had cautiously questioned Sc.
veral persons on the subject. Bul they either
knew nothing or purposey avoided the subject.
To his young companions he never mentioned
ihem for already, like the niser, he dreaded at
tracing attention To hishiIden treasure. On one
or two occasions, when he had spoken 10 his sis.
ter about them, she answered carelessly-" Yes,
} she is beautiful creatures but they must be very
plain people, as we never see nor hear Of them
anywhere but at church,"
This argument was by no means conclusive
with Edgar. Mr.. Sandys was evidently gentle.
man, and to call his daughter, that graceful ema.
nation of loveliness, by the much abused term
"lady," was but feeble praise. She whose every
: look, attitude and motion proved her gentle
: woman Most sons would naturally have applied
10 their father for information respecting person
who habitually worShipped in the same church
which he had attended all his life, but Mr.. Grams
den's children seldom held familiar communion
with their harsh, unsympa'hizing parent-besides
which, Mr.. Gransden always sat with his back
strdously turned TO that parl Of the church, and
Edgar, who had never seen him change his pos
ure, doubted If his father had ever seen the ob.
jccls Of his curiosity.
That the subjects Of all this speculation were
not unconscious Of thisunceasng scrutiny Oh the
+ par Of Edgar, was apparent. His eye often fell
= beneath the steady regards Of the SadloOkng ia
ther, and the daughter had lately changed her sea-
+ so as TO screen her sweet face from his gaze.
Mr.. Gransden was gentleman Of very large
> fortune. Hlswle, a lovely and eslimabc woman
. had been dead for many years, leaving but the
two children whom we have Introduced 10 the
reader. The gossiping world spoke Of Mrs.
: Gransden as gentle, sensitive woman, who had
been sacrificed 10 man Of overbearng charac-
i ter and violentlemper, whose tyranny aud harsh
ness had assisted The ravageS Of disease on very
n fragile constitution. That there was some ruth
in these assertions there was no doubt, Tor though
not an habltually unkind parent, he was hard
o cold and eXacting, and it lhwared, had shown
II that ho could be harsh and peremplory.
II With the world, Mr. Gransden was an AFRO
:, CANT, purse.proud man, and though his wealth
gave him extensive influence and troops of ac
n quanances, he had no friends. Self was the
u god of his idoIalry--lhough he went regularly lc
: church, occupied his IanlIy pew, aud knelI with
II outward reverence upon his velvet ioolstooI.--
!, His carriages, his horses, his fine mansion and
d furniture, his entertainments aud oSenlallOus sum
u mer "progresses" occupied all his thoughts; even
9 his children he valued as u part Of himseII--a'
e the interiors Of The wealth h,ch he wor5hiped
= III. illustrators of his magnlticence! His daugh
); Ter, u very superior woman, was far less an obJec
z of regard Ia her lalher than his son. for Sh4 wa,
n plain and unallraclve in appearance; bal Edgar
III whose fine person and manners made hm every
r where popular, mnlstered 10 his vain anJ word
y y pride.
1t was in the unpleasant month Of Februar,
le that our tale opens, and The pavemen5 were thick
h y coated here and there with ice, the remains q
e. a recent storm of seet and rain. Service wa
v now over, and The congregation was slowly de
A. pairing for their several homes. Three OF tou
t. carriages were drawn up in front Of the church
= and in The mos, sunptuous Of these, Edgar Grams
II den placed his sister, who was followed by her ia
e. lher. For himself, he preferred TO walk, and h
OF slowly followed with the lhrong, liII gradual
a. dispensing, ii left him almost aIone--tur, save
l,l, h,, Al
b. fore him, there was scarcely being 10 be seen u
g. several squares. Upon lhyse two forms his ey
&c was fixed, when suddenly The gentleman shppeC
"a fell, and lay proslrale upon The pavement. In a
d. instant he was by their side banding over the ia
e. len man, inquirlng if he was hurt and oHerio
n. assistance. MIR. Sandys--.or it was he--opel
raj ed his eyes wnh look of anguish, but when
'ls observed who il was, he turned aside his hea
eli and molioned young Gransden away with ge
IL lure of impatience.
m MY dear sir" said Edgar, gently, 81 fear yo
INT are much hurt; permit me 20 assist you into SON
so neighborng house till carriage can he procure
We 10 lake you home--or perhaps you may be ab
20 to reach your own dwelling with the assistance
m my arm. Pray, suffer me TO aid YOU"
'n' "Do, dear papa, do," said a low, ,remulo'
IIy voice beside him. 81 cannot help you, and yo
lie are deadluIIy hurt, fear. Do, dear papa, in
as plore you"
in MIR. Sandys attempted 10 rise, but with gre
ia difficulty, and when Edgar Gransden again ote
ed to assist him, he did not repulse him as betor
gar After asceraing that he was able and preierre
W. to walk, Gransden drew the arm of the suifert
M within his own and slowly proceeded to his res
'as dence, which was no. more than square disan
la When they reached the house, Edgar entert
with them unbidden. After assisting to plat
TO Mr.. Sandys comfortably upon a sofa, he inte
or, cepted the servant who had been directed TO {
%, for the doctor, and leaving his name and addres
en flew like lightning to summon him himself nj
Iht did not return again to the house.
- In the evening he called TO inquire for NJ
at SandyS, and learned that he was doing very we
la. lh. phVSician having .cided thai no homes WE