Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-03-04
From irthur'S Home Gazette.
ABSENCE AND RETURN;
a TALE OF TENNESSEE.
BY @. VI. WHARTON.

BN u. VI. W HARION.
The gentle old roam, whom we called
Wallace" after reading the "Scottish
Chiefs" aloud together during the long even
ings Of the past winter, was fastened to the
deer-horn rack in front of the extended porch
of our homely but comfortable mansion. He
was in fine order for the journey of many
days that was about to 60 upon. Charles,
the hostler, carried out my saddle-bags, and
loitered by the steed to bid me adieu.
stood on the porch, The tears in my eyes.
while my little sisters Elizabeth, Jane and
Susan, wrung my hands, clung around my
neck, and kissed me hundred times Milber-
ry- my orphan cousin Z" Berry" we called
her-was very pale, and fearless, retiring
from me, but gazing mournfully and fxedly
upon me.
Farewell brother WILL" said all my
sobbing sisters, embracing me by turn. ave
are SO sorry TO part from you! And to think
what sad, lonely, weary, journey you have
before you, from Tennessee TO Virginia! You
must write often, for it takes whole month
for letter to reach US. Oh, you must re-
member US all the time, as we will you"
Ny resolution trembled; bui with great
effort still concealed from them the depth
of my emotion.
"Here is pair of riding gloves" said the
elder, my own, whole sister; 81 knitted them
myself for you; +; don't forget Bette" cried
the poor girl, weeping profuse!y and kissing
me again.
The other two were halfsisters; this was
told; never knew any difference in my az
fiction for them.
Jenny gives you this handkerchief, hem
med by herself, with your initials and hers
stitched in one corner look at it and recall
her when you're far, far away" Dear Jane!
how convulsiyely she closped me TO her
breast!
"And here's silk purse, brother, the had
diwork of Sue; it's my keepsake" The dews
of love moistened her face!
Cousin Berry stepped forward, but my faith
er and step-mother joining US at the instant,
she shrunk back.
"Be man William" said my father
We are 10th to part with you, but it is
for your good, nay boy. You are to 60 to
school, and when you learn enough, your un-
Gle Dabney viii send you to Philadelphia to
make doctor of you-and then you shall
come home and physic US all. Be careful
with your horse /; see that he is well attended
to, yourself; be polite to every body you meet,
familiar with none. Husband your money,
as you havnt more than enough to bear your
expenses. Treat your uncle as if he was
your father; study hard, and become doctor;
but above all, be a man! And now--no whim-
pering goodbye, my lad !"
My father shook my hand heartily. / see
him now; bis spectacles raised over his fore
bead, the morning air playing with his few
tina gray locks, his fayorite book (Claren-
don's history of England upder one arm, his
silyer-headed cane under the other. have
never known greater reader, better his
torlan, or a. kinder gentleman My father
was nearly deaf and in proportion as that
misfortune grew on him, his love of books in
creased. Hence. in the course Of his forty
I'VE years, he was enabled TO accumulate vast
miscellaneous, stores of knowledge. He