Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-03-29
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A SKETCH FROM REAL LIFE.
By HELEN IRVING.
CHAPTER /.

CHAPTER l.
In the village of R resided Henry
Livingston, man of good family and po-
sition in society, upright in his dealings,
and possessing nature Of genuine, unos-
tentatious goodness. He was not without
his peculiarities-his faults-but these
were mostly of education and habit, and
affected not the heart-the source of con-
slant kindliness.
1t is true, by some of the rigid religion
lists about him, he was looked upon with
mistrust, for the expression and exercise of
his liberal opinions-for he was not one of
those who deem the way of life too mar
row. for any to walk in, save their own
peculiar sect-but through all his life played
the sweet waters of mercy, seasoning 4
justice quite as true as theirs
At the time to which refer, his family
consisted of wife and two daughters, the
eldest of whom, a girl of fifteen, had been
for nearly two months an invalid. These
he supported in simple, quiet style, BY
following his profession, that of lawyer,
in the city adjacent, whittier he repaired
every morning, returning at sunset.
He was not n man of brilliant talents,
and therefore had never attracted much
notice at the bar, but his goodness and in
tegrity had made him numerous friends,
and his time was always fully occupied.
1t was still, sunny Sabbath afternoon
in July, that Mr.. Livingston brought to the
door his horse and carriage, that he might
give his invalid Emily sight of the green
fields and waving woods, and breath of
the fresh air.
All, it was pleasant to see the faint glow
of delight sent to the sick ones cheek, as
the mother carefully robed her, and placed
her in the carriage, and very pleasant it
was to the father to note the happiness of
that ride-Emily's first release from the
sick room-for business of late had pressed
so urgently upon Mr.. Livingston, that he
had no time in the week, to devote to the
pleasure of his child.
Only one who has been i'll can realize
the Joy with which she saw again the bios
soming wales, the bright streamlets, and felt
the free passing of the breath of heaven
can understand the feeling of life's precious
ness, the calm, sweet sense of the Joy of
existence, that came then. 1t seemed that
the music of birds was sweeter, in the still
Sabbath air, that the flowers were brighter,
and the leaves of softer green.
All, earth is always beautiful when it is
Sabbath in the heart!
About five miles distant from R was
the populous town of C, where resi-
ded Emily's grandparents, and at their door
Mr.. Livingston alighted, that his daughter
might see for while her aged relatives.
They had remained about an hour, and
Emily having recovered from her slight
fatigue, and received the last caresses of
her doating grandmother, to whom she was
namesake and pet, was now ready for her
departure, when on going to the door, their
horse and carriage was nowhere to be seen.
Here was an unexpected dilemma. The
horse, though high spirited, Mr.. Livingston
knew to be well trained, and moreover he
had been securely fastened to the ring in
the pavement; there were no traces of the
struggle that must have taken place had the
animal endeavored to free himself; there
was but one conclusion; he must have
been most daringly stolen.
1t was the nrst impulse OF Mr.. Living
ston TO institute an immediate search but
that was impractisable, for the sun was de-
clining, and his invalid daughter must be
at home before night; so after moments
deliberation, he repaired to livery stable,
whose keeper was known to him, there to
procure vehicle TO convey himself and
daughter back to R, and to make ar
rangements for the recovery of his horse
and carriage.
He had often driven the animal to town,
and he found that the people of the stable
needed no description of him. Mr.. Smith,