The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-01-09


about himself-he abors just as much as for
merly, though experience ought TO have
made him wiser, for, if am not mistaken,
it was over exeriion that killed your father"
"It was, indeed" said Jones, affected by
the recollection; "but why does he not con-
suit a physician 2"
81 have tried 10 persuade him 10 do so,
but we have not one in the village, and he
thinks his illness too trifling TO send for ad.
vice 10 the neighboring town so that there
is no chance of managing the matter, unless
doctor should by any accident pass by or
be sent for by some one else in the village
Unfortunately it may be some time before
such an opportunity occurs, and TOMS ILL
ness may increase however l hope his
youth and good constitution may carry him
ihrnnsshit
So saying, the curate, having now arrived
at the garden gate, took leave ofJones Bash
am and repaired TO his prother's. Arrived
there, he announced to the little Fanny,
whom he met as he was entering the house,
that she should next day help in the annual
distribution of bread in the chnrch. Fanny,
not whit less proud or happy than George,
ran 10 tell her father of the honor intended
her by the curate. Tom soon appeared TO
thank the young pastor, who made most par
ticular inquiries about his health-The far
mer was still suffering, but seemed now
much less occupied with illness, than with
small legacy which his wife had Just had her
left, and Immediately began to consult the
curate as TO the comparative security Of diff
ferent banks in which he proposed TO lodge
his money.
Inc curaro- ~aaised him, in the nrst In
stance, 10 pay off all membranes on hrv
farm, and 10 make some Improvements in it
which he himself pointed out.
~ have Just given the same advice 10
your brother JONES'" added the pastor, "and
he would gladly follow it, only that he is in
sad want of money"
81 believe" observed Tom, che has met
with some heavy losses within these last two
years.
II fear that he is much pressed just now"
added the curate, and to judge by appear
ances, the legacy which you have just re-
ceived would have been more wanting 10
him tn an you"
When the curate left, Tom remained a
long time thoughtfal. His brother was in
want of money, whilst he had a sum of
which ne was actually at loss to dispose.
Formerly had such thing happened, ii
would not have been long before he would
have taken the leathern purse which contai-
ned the guineas to his brother Jones, and
said to him, "You may have as much as
you want, brother, and take a memorandum
of what you keep" But now his offer
would have been insultingly rejected. and
this he felt he could not brook, or looked
upon as an advance on his part, which he
would have dreaded still more.
Nevertheless, 10 leave Jones without help,
if he were really in want, was very hard.
Even were every spark of affection extinct
in the hearts of the two brothers, the honor
of the Bashams would not permit that one
should see the other in poverty, or unable to
meet his engagements. The heart is not
less quick in finding pretext for kindness
than. il is for anger. and Tom. while fancying
he still pre- served all his old rancor against
Jones, passed the night in devising how he
could manage to be Of use to him.
Joues, on his side, was not less pre-occu-
pied. The few words let fall by the curate,
relative to his brothers. health, weighed upon
his mind. The more he thought upon Toms
illness the more his alarm increased. He
feared it would become dangerous, and was
uneasy at the little care he took of himself.
He knew Tom had always been impudent,
not only taking no precautions against the
attacks TO which he was subject, but, when
they did come, appearing to look upon them
as guest whom, though unwelcome, it
would be too troublesome to attempt to dis
lodge. ANY precautions that he did take
were always forced upon him by Jones, who
was himself bit Of doctor He was con-
suited by the villagers abou, their own corns,
and their childrens' whooping coughs and
chilblains, and concocted drinks reno wned
through the village. He had acquired this
medical knowledge from his wife's brother,
who was doctor, and every year. spent a
few days at the farm. Jones saw he could at
once, by letter, bring him to Sellack, where
he might see his brother and Judge of the
state Of his health. But how would his visit
be received by the lattera Would he not
look upon it as an attempt at a reconciliation
las an indirect advancea Jones could not
bear the thought.
Thus the night was passed by both broth
ers in uncertainty and doubt.
Meanwhile George and Fanny awoke be-.
fore day-break, full ofihe ceremony in which
they we're 10 play SO conspicious a part.
Dressed in their best, they repaired to the
church with their respective families, who
| for this day were to occupy the seats Of hon
or near the communion table. Jones and
Tom had always carefully avoided each 9TH
or in the church and it was, with no small
emotion, that they found themselves side by
side in the same pew, The faces Of both
flushed, as both at first indistinctively drew
back, and then, asif actuated by the same