Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-02-19


81 cannot tell how the tale may be,
But will give it you. rs twas given to me-
"When fortune means to men most good.
She looks upon them with a tlircatning eye"
SUAKEsrEARE.
Courteous Reader. When few weeks ago
made my debut before You in the somewhat crit
zeal ligh, Of story teller, and when that story
lay before me filing a conspicuous place in our
district papers in veri,ablc print, the conscious
ness Of its tameness. stupidity and want of point
in its details, caused me involuntary to cXcaim,
% never will be guilty Of the like folly again ~
But within the last few days. 4 narrative which
came in possession Of through the kindness Of
an esteemed and venerable relative several years
ago. has stolen atom by atom upon my mind,
like the nlstinct chimera Of an almost forgotten
dream, and has propelled my rather meagrc
imagination toward putting it in some sort of
form: not that consider myself able either TO
give an amusing, an instructive, or deeply in
teresting sketch, but that it may possibly serve
as beacon light to warn the unwary from the
consequences Of youthful rashncss.
Before commencing my narrative allow me TO
introduce YOU to my great Aunt, Mrs. Patty
Jarvis. My first recollrc,ions of her. date from
the period when was little child; she was my
fathers Aunt and held in high estimation by
him. remember now how kindly she would
come to us, when in sickness and distress We
needed such friend, how she waited ON our
mother and pctcd her little oncs. and how deep
" we were all afflicted when she left u, for a
home in the far West.
Aunt Jarvis had but too children. Her only
daughter, Elizabeth. married several years be-
fore her visit to us (of which will soon spcak)
Z. ',n eminent lawyer named Hildreth, VIII" prac-
ticcd in a small town not many miles from the
Mississippi river called l.ingua-villc. Her son
James, who was but few years old at the time
of his fathers death, was the pride Of the old
lady's existence. He, like his brother-in-law,
was lawycr-hal been but lately admitted to
the bar and they were Practcing in co-partncr-
ship.
Aunt Jarvis hal an interest in landed estate
in our part of the country. which had been
brought in sui. anl had come on with the double
purpose Of visiting her oil acquantanccs and
overlooking the progress of the law suit. When
] heard Of her arrival in our ncis cishborhood, my
>,.:a,, / l,,;,,l,t ,,..,. Ill ,,l
sent my carriage for her forthwith. 1t was
near the close Of the day when she arrived and
] sprang to the gate to meet hcr-and there she
was, the same kind smile llumining her faded
fcaurcs-the same sweet, musical voice greeting
my ear as in days of DID, with ''Why dear is
this YOU !. Can this be AnGeline-this grown up
woman with all these children about her :"
My heart was too full to speak for a moment.
After the kissing round Of self and children, the
enquiries as to health &C., escorted her to the
house and into the chamber which had been
for several hours cndeavoring to render comfor-
table for her accommodation. f" How snug you
look, dear, and how grateful that glowing fire,
and so many children! Let ME see, one. two,
is it possible you have four children. Why |
expected to sec you almost as small as when
left hcrc.''
You have forgotten, Aunt, that time flies as
fast on the Atlantic as near Your Western wa
tcrs."
After discncunibering herself of hood, cloak,
and India-rubbcrs we proceeded to the parlor,
where commodious rocking chair and foot stool
awaited my guest. And really, when seated
the countcnancc, dress and attitude Of Aunt
Patty, made up picture comfortable TO degree
Her dress, as in days Of yorc, was a rich black
silk, with the same book muslin kcrchcf crossed
in ample and snowy folds across her bosom, her
neat cap and white ribbons contrasting bcauti-
fully with the (as yeti raven blackncss Of her
hair, whilst her mild, benevolent eye carried
gadncss to the heart, as the glowing sunshine
in the bright summer Of life. After all were set
tied quietly round the fire, one Of my "responsi-
bilitcs" set up an inccssant cough, which having
lasted for several minutes Aunt Patty observed,
"why don't you cure that child, dear? Let Inc
give you DR.. Lartigue's remedy, and warrant
you it will prove infallible. Tallow her breast
and the solcs Of her feet well before putting her
to bed and give her cup Of rcd pepper tea
swcetcncd with honey"
The words had scarce escaped her lips, when
in rushed my oldest hope with the blood stream
ing in torrent from his hand.
"Dcar me-" exclaimed, "what is the mat
teri"
':Alnost cut my hand of, mothcr-I was peal
ing potatoc and the old knife slipped"
Don't be frightened DEAR" said Aunt Patty
coming forward, 1just give me bit Of cotton
and some laudanum-that is Dr. Lartiguc's ad-
vice and never knew it fail"
Through Aunt Patty's efforts the blood was
soon staunchcd and We were again seated when
raised my hand to my head
"Hayc you the headache, DEAR" cnquired my
Aunt