Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-03-04
srRoUDsBURG MONROE COUNTY Pa THURSDAY MARCH H. s5a

was an unsurpassed tracer of genealogies
not distinguished family in England, but
whose pedigree he could carry up to the Nor
man conquest This propensity led him to
acquaint himself with all the family histories,
of any consequence, in Virginia, his native
state; and when he removed to Tennessee,
then new country, the city of Nashville,
near which he resided, being mere hamlet,
and married again, and children gathered a
round his hearth, he was wont to instruct and
entertain them from these large treasures OF
anecdotes. There were no schools in the
neighborhood, and my further endeared him.
self to US by the simple and tender manner in
which he discharged towards US the duties Of
teacher. lie now, however, considered
himself bound as parent to afford me, who
was old enough Qhirteen years. to profit by
| them, better advantages than the primitive
settlement offered (; and thus, as have rela-
! ted, assigned me to the care of relative liv-
ing in the older state of Virginia.
| My step-mother, in her conduct towards
me and my sister Elizabeth, showed no DIFF
ference in favor of her own chilreD. She
had been chosen by my own mother, when
dying, as that friend to whom it would soothe
her last hours could she believe her boy and
girl would be entrusted; and my father prom
ised her, if he ever married again, it should
be the friend she had selected. My step
mothers loving attentions to us proved how
discerning judgment she had.
"Wiilie, my dear son, said my step-moth-
er, pressing me to her bosom, while the tears
fell from her eyes on my young brow; " God
bless you dear Willie ~
Ireeled to the spot where wallace wal
ted me- Charles, the hostler, assisted me in
! to the saddle; he grasped my hand in fare
well, and gave the rains to the horse.
1t had always been a custom of mine and
my sister Elizabeth, to visit, every pleasant
Sabbath, my mothers tomb, some half mile
from home. 1t was a sweet, secluded grove
of cyprus trees and arbor vite, mingled with
wild and planted flowers. Thither an irresis-
tible impulse directed me; l wished to bid
the grave adieu.
/ dismounted on the border of the grove,
repaired to the tomb, and there met Berry
81 knew you would come here" said she.
a will not disturb you IL did not tell you
farewell-Farewell ~ t eg.a
"Dear Berry," cried I. could restrain
my tears no more. leaned my head against
the marble, and wept.
Hush, Cousin WILL" said Berry, ap-
preached m e, raising my head with her NOR
sci of hands. "We shall meet again-ifnot
here, then where my good aunt is, in Heaven.
You have been so kind to me, but do not
weep, though if did should feel relieved"
"Berry," exclaimed /. kissed her, l had
never done so before this shy, sensitive,
though afectionate child shrinking from such
endearments from me, though was ever her
favorite cousin had once told her that ]
loved her more than even my sisters, and one
day would ask her to be my wife. She was
precocious being mentally, albiet her phys
ical frame was more delicate than suited her
years, two less than mine--the same as E.
: lizabeth's She had been an inmate of our
home sixteen months, and every one was at
tached warmly to her. tfstt aE
Berry was pale all the morning she turn
ed very red now. ,.--.,. 3
Havn't you a keepsake for me, too,"
said ~ istsa3Esa
She pulled twig of arbor vits from the
grave and handed it to me. 30,
at will remind you of both," she replied,
"the living and the dead May be shall be
sleeping here also, when you return but
can never forget you, kind WILL. .,..y
So saying, she rose up, and walked slowly
away. lid 1a
Two angels seemed to walk slowly away,
she, and my mothers spirit (thls back to
Heayen) that had hovered above us. The
grave, for the first time, was hollow, tent
antess cell to me. Henceforth the spirit
would watch over and often visit me. ! put
the green twig in my pocket carefully, and,
much cOmforted and strengthened, began my
journey. a@ ~I3ous'J
A journey on horseback, for month =,
Many days was alone, the houses being rare.
A The people i seldom ma ssed wondered to see
so youthful traveller thus prematarely trus-
ted to himself The women at the houses
on the road where slept, as if moved at my
apparent desertion spoke tenderly to me-
/ Sometimes encountered hunters armed 10
4 the woods and blind paths; but the "Scottish
Chiefs" neryed me with courage, and ! was
not afraid. Indeed, my mind was two busy,
recalIinO home or Daintinp the future, to al