Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-06-21

anger, lest he be two sorely tempted.-
Son, would you stain your cleaning axe
with your fathers blood? Remember
that he is your FATHER. That word a.
lone should secure your respect. But
he has toiled for you; his frame has been
bent with labor; his hair has whitened
with toll for you--for you, his ungrateful
son.
The young mans arm relaxed its hold,
and his axe fell 10 the earth. But the
old man still grasped his, and his face
wore ste:ner frown.'
John my aunt continued, scan you
imagine your sainted wife looking down
from heaven, and beholding you with an
arm uplilted against her son, her living
image!'
At the mention of his wife The old
man burst into flood of tears, and sit
ting down on newly-fallen tree, he buri-
ed his face in his hands and wept bitter
ly.
Now go to him. said Aunt Debbie,
touching the young mans arm; go tell
him you are penitent; ask his forgiveness,
and all will be well.'
He walked towards his father and we
left them. AS we threatened our way
through the thicket, now blinded by
branch from some impertinent tree. now
scratched by brier, now startled at
squirrel, thought to myself--'Still an
other right-a peace maker. Who but
woman. helpless, unresisting woman, is
so formed as to glide in gently among
angry men, TO claim their ruffled spirits,
to weaken the strong arm and the hand
heavy with passion! Who but woman
can show them the noblest revenge--the
revenge of kindness! A right SO fear
fnl must make every true woman tremble
at the thought. Heaven send us strength
to use it,
As we descended the hill, l recognized
the long avenue of ce6ars on our right,
as leading to the house of Squire Carl
ton, as the magistrate was called. had
had many fine race down that avenue
with Fanny Carlton; but had not seen
or heard anything of her for two years.
True, before left my native village for
a fashionable boarding school in distant
city, we two had plighted solemn prom
Use never to forget each other, and write
long letter once a week; but amid the
busy life of school girl, and the excite
ment of new faces and friends, had
forgotten, and Fanny was too proud to
intrude her letters where she deemed
herself neglected. Ny aunt in answer
to the questions which fell fast from my
lips, informed me that Mr.. Carlton had
been for long time afflicted with the
gout; that his temper, never remarkable
for urbanity, had now become very irri-
table; that Fanny had given up her
friends, her studies and her amusements,
devoting the whole time to her father,
who repaid this devotion with reproofs
and harshness.
i see them aunt Debbie,' l cried,
there on the lawn
1t was, indeed, Fanny; but my play
mate was greatly altered-had grown
tall. Her complexion was exquisitely
clear; and her hair instead of falling TO
her waist in those careless curls, which
seemed like gleam of sunshine floating
through the air, was turned smoothly
back from her forehead, and gathered in
10 knot behind. Her slight figure bent
under the weight of the stately old man
who leaned on her arm. They haG OBJ
served US, and were coming slowly to
meet US.
We will wait for them here at the
gate, said Aunt Debbie; 1T is too late to
GO in.'
assented and was stopping 10 gather
some of the white violeis, with which
the ground was covered, when an excla-
nation from my aunt startled ne. Fam
ny and her father had approached nearly
to where we stood, when the old mans
foot struck against some obstacle in the
path. He with difficulty suppressed a
loud cry of pain; lifting his arm quickly,
he gave his daughter blow SO heavy
that she reeled forward, and would have
fallen but for friendly cedar that stood
near. She had been Fastening towards
us, her face beaming with pleasure; but
at this shameful blow her color failed;
an expression of pain crossed her face,
and bending upon me look in which
disappointment was mingled with morti-
fcation, she waved he hand towards the
house. We stood in silence, as if rooted
to the spot. Mr.. Carlton walked as fast
as his foot would allow, muttering curses
and imprecations; while Fanny seemed
to have forgotten the blow, so tcnderly
did she support the old man, and so
skillfully did she direct his steps.
wait a minute,' said aunt Debbie,
after they had entered the house; Fanny
will soon be back, ! fancy And scarce
ly had the words passed her lips, when
Fanny was at our side.
After the usual greetings, she reverted
to her fathers fall, blaming her own
carelessness, but without mentioning her
blow. She held her handkerchie: 10 her
face to hide the swelling. Aunt Debbie
pressed her to spend the following day
with us; but she declined pleading an
engagement.
| But you will come soon to see me,
said j; ION Saturday I.shall expect you.'
4 am afraid. dear Haddie,' said she.
confusedly, that cannot come at all;