Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-05-18

would continue to devote herself for lie TO
her sick brother. But there seemed to
come no change in her affection, and Her.
bert passed from childhood to youth, with
the shadow of death ever hanging over
him, yet still kept away with untirlng love.
No two could be more opposite in charac-
ter than the twins, for Herbert, with the
natural tendency of sensitive mind united
to fral body, loved all intellectual pur-
suits, while Margaret, gay, buoyant and
energetic perferred active employment, and
only loved books for his sake, that she
might amuse and converse with him on the
studies which were his delight.
Thus we all grew up associated as suited
our individual tastes-the twins, Miles and
Dora, Kate and /. Christmas after Christ
mas we met around our fathers table, for
he would never break through the good old
rule and after short school absences, or
passing visits, the flock was always gathered
together on Christmas day. 1t was hap
py festival, begun with devotion and ended
with fitting mirth, we talked over the past
year; we pictured the coming one; year
by year bringing over our hearts and
thoughts the change which is cast by ap-
preaching maturity. Our childish games
became imperceptiby merged into thought
tul talk; we no longer danced gleefully
around the Christmas pudding, but began
at least we elder ones-gravely to discuss
our childish frolics, and call them folieS.
| have l'arned since, that there is more
foolishness in the pleasures of after life
than in the innocent sports Of youth.
Let me then bid adieu to childhood with
my heart full Of those dear old times, those
merry Christmas days.
There is always something a little sad in
the first wedding in family. 1t shows
that they are no longer one household-that
their childhood and its united pleasures are
passed away forever, and each now may
begin TO think of separate home, and 9TH
er dearer ties. One link is broken in the
family chain; even though in the midst of
rejoicings and hope, still it is broken-and
forever.
The frs: who left us was Margaret
How love stole into her heart, so full as it
had been of the strongest sisterly devotion,
is more than l can tell; but it did. Her
betrothed was welcome to all, even TO Her
bert, who had ever received from him that
sympathy and attention, which, coming
from man Of talent and goodness like
Mr.. Worhington, was sure to gain regard
1t was his best way to win Margaret, ant
perhaps it was for this that she first loved
him, but she did love him, ana so fondiy
that not even the pain Of leaving Herbert
could prevent her from becoming his wife
Not one word Of regret did that atleciionatC
brother breathe, TO sully Margaret's happi
ness in her young love. He told her tina
he never thought TO keep her always by
his side; that he was quite content anC
happy; that Kate and Dora would taxi
care Of him, and that she should see hin
} grown a merry old bachelor when she re
turned to England for Margaret's intend
ed husband was a soldier, and they wer
going abroad.
| well remember the evening before m
sisters wedding. We were all at home
| and alone; for that last evening not eve
: Nlargaret's lover was admitted into th
family party. Kate and the bride sat {
! work on the adornments for tomorrow
= but now and then a large tear fell froi
: Alargaret'S eyes on the white silk that la
f on her knee. Dora read in silence at m
D mothers feet, and Miles was quieter tha
r usual. glanced at Herbert, as he sat
4 the shadow of the curtains, in his cas-
= chair he looked calm and not sorrowtu
+ but ever now and then his eyes rested O
t Margaret with an intense love, as if ever
al IN ha 4 If
her.
: We talked little, and then only IN brc
n ken observations, and on Indifferent ma
e tiers there was a ConstraInt over us ALL
Il At last the bright sunset faded into twIligl
h and the girls put away their work. Ma
e garet came beside Herbert.
h "TheSe Autumn evenings are gettil
1t cold," she said softly 'shall | move yo
n chair nearer to the fire ~
rs 1t was a common question, such as al
one might have asked but it brought WI
l. il TO both sisters and brother such tide
reaections-of triiling but tender offices d
l charged for years, accepted and fulfill
Sc with equal love, which would be no mo
y bestowed nor reCeived-that neither cou
maintain their calmness any longer. Ht
Ip bert looked up into his sisters face with
lg expression of deepest sorrow, while he he
le her hand without word. Margaret KIN
:" beside his chair and wept aloud.
7 81 will not leave you, Herbert; not ev
ID for him. | will stay and take care OF yo'
n "Hush, Margaret" whispered Herbe
We 'you must go, and be happy; you ha
er another to think of beside me p and
e, stopped over her, and talked to her fol
n long time, in low tone that no one e
IT. could hear. The consolation he gave v
gu known only to his own seli-denying hea
and to hers but, after time, Marga
v, dried her tears, and her beautiful face look
NJ again happy. Never was the contrast
. tween the twins more striking than now
,at Margaret knelt beside her brother, with
I'd. arms thrown around her, as he talked
Oh low, earnest, tones. They were SO mt
I alike-the same features, hair and ey
ID. but the one was all blooming health,
=, other male thin and wasted. Herbe