The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-01-27

might, but for her, have been diffusing then anC
perhaps it is wonder that he walked submis
sivey beside her, and drew her gentle bosom neal
to his own.
When they arrived at the Lodge, the old mar
sitting in his chair in the chimney corner
with his eyes fixed on the ground, and his son was
leaning against the opposite side of the re-p place
looking at him. AS she came in at the door, both
started, and turned round towards her, and a ra.
diant change came upon their faces.
''Oh dear, dear, DEAR they are pleased to see me
like the rest!'' cried Mly, clapping her hands in
an ecstasy, and stopping short s. Here are two
more ~
Pleased to see her Pleased was no word for it.
She ran into her husbands arms, thrown wide
open TO receive her, and he would have been glad
to have her there, with her head lying on his
shoulder, through the short winters day. But the
old man could Mt spare her. He had arms for her
too and he locked her in them.
"Why, where has my quiet Mouse been all this
time % said the old man. ''She has been a long
while away. find that it's impossible for me to
get without Mouse. where's my son Will
liam Il fancy have been dreaming, William
" That's what | say myself, father" returned his
son. have been in an ugly sort of dream, |
think. How are you, father! Are you pretty
well %
Strong and brave, my boy" returned the old
man.
1t was quite a sight to see Mr. William shaking
hands with his father, and patting him on the back,
and rubbing him gently down with his hand as if
he could not possibly do enough to show interest
in him.
What wonderful man you are, father 2 How
you, father! Are you really pretty hearty,
though - said William, shaking hands with him
again, and patting him again, and rubbing him
gently down again.
boy
What wonderful man you are, father! But
that's exactly where it isl said Mr. William, with
enthusiasm "When | think of all my father s
gone through, and all the chances and changes,
and sorrows and troubles that have happened to
him in the course of his long life, and under which
his head had grown gray, and years upon years
have gathered on it, | feel as if we could Mt do
enough to honor the old gentleman, and make his
old age easy. How are you, father' Are you re-
ally pretty well, thought"
Mr.. William might never have left off repeating
this inquiry, and shaking hands with him again,
and pattng him again, and rubbing him down
again, if the old man had not espied the Chemist,
whom until now he had not seen.
g ask your pardon, Mr.. Redlaw, said Philip,
- but didn't know You were here, sir, or should
have made less free. 1t reminds me, Mr. Redlaw,
seeing you here on a Christmas morning, of the
time when you was student yourself, and worked
so hard that you was backwards and forwards in
our library even at Christmas time. Ha ha Pm
old enough to remember that !; and | remember 1t
well, do, though I'm eighty-seven. 1t was after
you left here that my poor wife died. You remem-
Der my poor wife wife, Mr. Redlaw,"
The Chemist answered Yes
Yes" said the old man. ''She was a dear
creatur. ! recollect you come here one Christmas
morning with a young LADY, ask your pardon,
Mr. Redlaw, but I think it sister you was
very much attached to-! -
The Chemist looked at him and shook his head
I" had sister," he said vacantly. He knew no
more
'One Christmas morning." pursued the old man,
" that you came here with her-and it began to
snow, and my wife invited the young lady to walk
in, and sit by the fire that is always aburning
Christmas day, in what used to be, before our ten
poor gentlemen cOmmuted, our great dinner hail.
| was there; and | recolect, as | was stirring up
the blaze for the young lady to warm her pretty
feet by she read the scroll aloud that is under
that picture. Lord keep my memory green,
She and my poor wife fell atakng aboutit; and it's
a strange thing to think of now that they both said
Doth being so unlike to die) that it was a good
prayer, and that it was one they would put up very
earnestly, if they were called away young, with
reference to those who were dearest TO them. : My
brother,' says the young lady, My husband,
says my poor WIFE Lord, keep his memory of me
green, and donot let me be forgotten "
Tears more painful and more bitter than he had
ever shed in all his life, coursed down Redlaw's
face. Philip, fully occupied in recalling his story,
had not observed him until now, nor Milly's anxiety
that he should not proceed.
Phillip" said Redlaw, laying his hand upon
his arm, &c am a stricken man, on whom the hand
of Providence has fallen heavily although de-
servedly. You speak to me, my friend, of what
cannot follow my memory is gone"
Merciful power" cried the old man.
g | have lost my memory of sorrow, wrong and
trouble" said the Chemist and with that | have
lost all man would remember"
To see old Philips pity for him, to see him wheel
his own great chair for him to rest in, and look
down upon him with a solemn sense of his bereave-
to old age such recollections are.
The boy came running in, and ran to Milly.
''Here's the man. he said, 6 in the other room.
| don't want him.
"What man does he meant" asked Mr.. Will
liam.
"Hush," said Milly
Obedient to sign from her, he and his old father
softly withdrew. As they went out, unnoticed,
Redaw beckoned to the boy to the boy to come to
him.
81 like the woman BEST" he answered, holding
to her skirts
''You are right said Redlaw, with faint
smile. But you needn't fear to come to me. |
am gentler than was. Of all the world, to you,
poor child -
The boy still held back at first; but yielding
little by little to her urging, he consented to ap-
proach, and even to sit down at her feet. As Red
law laid his hand upon the shoulder OF the child,
looking on him with compassion and tellow-tee-
ing, he put out his other had to Mlly She stopped
down on that side of him, that she could look
into his face, and, after silence, said
Sc Mr.. Redlaw, may speak to you."
YES he answered, fixing his eyes upon her.
GO Your voice and music are the same to me-
g May ask you something! 20
''What you will.''
'Do you remember what said, when Knocked
at your door last night! About one who was your
friend once and who stood on the verge of destruc-
ton 20
"Yes; remember he said with some hesita-
ton.
60 Do you understand it1''
He smoothed the boys hair-looking at her fix
eddy the while-and shook his head.
''This person. said Milly, in her clear soft
voice, which her mild eyes, looking al him, made
clear and softer, So found soon afterwards Invent
back to the house, and, with Heavens help, traced
him. was not too soon. A very little, and should
have been too Late
He took his hand from the boy, and laying it on