Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-08-04

er were they doncstcatcd with him than did Alfr,'
Black commence series Of petty prosecutions an'
annnyanccs tha, cmbittcrcd their youthful days.
Mr. Hays left a sufficirncy to educate his boy
rcsp,c'aby. After that, they were t" be thrown
on their own resources for a livelihood. TEci
uncle placed them at IN excellent school in his owl
nccl,borhood and they nsde such rapid progress
as to clioi, the good vii. Of their teacher.
Henry WAS seventeen and Willie fifteen. before
they had ever had dispute; they profcd by ,iici
mu,cr's counsel aud lived as brothers should
Young as they were, they acted ont the praise
worthy principle of mutual f"rL,arance.
As Henry WAS well grown boy, young Blacl
did no: dare to continue his former practice Of lord
| ing it over him or his younger and rather fragl,
bruthcr-but substituted 4 plan by which he lofet
To create jraouscs and disscnSi"ns between them
lie niScons,rucd and msinterprctcd their wore:
and actions. until Henry began TO suspect tiat h,
brother could Stn"p 10 weaknesses and t"ibles 'ha
| his own proua heart would not c"ndrscrnd To, ana
Willie led To believe that Henry collness pro-
ccrtcd from tlrcring affection.
Willie was left to read his Bible alone. Frequently
would he determine to forget AL unkinncts and
inn ,orc hs brother by tic memory Of his mothers
diving hour to become to him all that he had once
been But the cold stern look, the rcpclling man,
ner npcle,l him to desist and the poor boy shrunk
within himself nnd PRAYED Heaven that he nigh,
go where his mothers sweet smile and rndcarng
tenderness would richly compensate him for the
woes and sorruws "f his "rpharagc.
Willr's health began To decline to all eyes save
those OF his prcjuticcd brother; still he continued
1T school seeking no c"npanonshlp and knowing
no sympathy, but bending as a weak and neglected
plant before the blast Of injustice and oppression
The summer term IF the sclnal was about to close
and the class in wl,icl, Henry made one, busy
in preparing Latin compositions, silver medal
WAS ~ he awarded to the author Of the best
Henry had str;vcn nlanfully for the prize, and he
FL certain Of success that he would not show his
composition To any one except to young Black.
lie great avoritc with his teacher and wished
t" give him IN agreeable surprise. On the evening
before the exhibition the youths were sitting the
banks of a stream near the house. The weather
was excessively warm-,hry had tukcn of ll
crtis and la hung them on the branch Of fsl
tree. Iuung- -Elack-and- -Uenry were talking
Black prppnsetEto Henry that they sllould &c
an orchard near BY for fruit. After they had g.
shor, distance, Black said he believed he W"
return for his c,at. He adrolly contrivcd while
getting it, to slip the composition from llenry's
pocket to that Of Willie aud then rcj"ircd Henry
Willie soon after went home. After they had cone
to their ROOMS, in the evening. Henry, who, since
his cstrangcmcnt from his brother, occupied the
with Alfred, felt in his pocket for his essay
1t was gone. He WAS greatly provoked, aud asked
Alfred if lie thought it possible that it could have
dropped willie they were at the stream. Alfred, 10
carry out a iniquitous scheme, answered that he
though; it probable, and offered TO get light and
60 with him in search Of it. They went but soon
returned without it. AS they were passing Wic's
room, Alfred suggested that he might have pur-
luincd it while they were absent, and cited Henry
to the fact that lie had left while they were gone.
& will soon find out" said Henry, and If he
did will ds"wn him f"rcvcr."
They entered The room together, when Henry
demanded Of his brother his paper.
"I have not your paper, brother" answered
Willie Do you think me capable Of acting 80
mrany 7"
Yes" said Henry, "l believe your jealousy is
cnk;ndled by the prospect Of my succeeding at tie
exhibition and feel certain tha, you have stolen it,"
Z" Brother" said Willie, his face assuming the
Wilderness Of marble, and his pale lips quivcring,
"by the mcmory Of our dead paren,s-by my
hopes of Heaven, have never wrongcd YOU in
thought, word, or action" Henry turned 10 the
chair on which Wic's coat was thrown and drew
from the pocket the paper.
Coward and liar said he, Z" from this night l
discard you"
The poor stricken victim fell senscl-ss on the
floor Alfred assisted Henry to lay him on tho
bed, threw water in his face, and as they
saw him rcviving left him. After consciousness
had fully returned, Willie raised himself up. He
felt crushed to the earth.
"Moihcr. mother" he said in his anguish, "arc
you near me now 2 Docs your gentle presence
fail to sOotlc, as it has done oftcntimes before ;
Oh! why am left OH Garth while Heaven is 50
pcaceful-so void of strife, and oppression, and
hatred Oh. bless thy boy, spirit of my angel
mother, that he may not murnur in his agony"'
"oh, Godm he screamed, shave mercy'-for
he felt that his were leaving him. lie fell
back on his pillow and through the darkness and
ieathkc Stiffness Of that weary night, the father
less and mothcrlcss boy wrcstlcd with deliriu,rl
alone. The next morning servant went up to
see why Willie did not come down and returned
stating that she believed he was sick for he did not
speak.
Henry did not 60 to hn-but, with Alfred and
his uncle, set out for the Academy. The sick
BROTHER nephew, and cousin was left to the mercies
If servant more compassionate than his kindred.
The live long day did the faithful negro tend the
suffering boy and as evening came on and the
brother returned, eated and exulting with success,
she ran to meet him. "Cio to your poor brudder,
massa, he no long for dis world-bcen call you all
day. He talk about paper, and cal his mother 10
come for him.
Feelings Of the bitterest compunctcn caused
ficnrys heart to thrill painfully as he ran up stairs.
He had thought in the morning: that Wilics illness
was only assumed in order to hide his shame at his
detection. What was his horror on gaining the
bedside, to discover him enduring all tho agonies
of brain fever, his eyes wild and blood shot, his
! most rils datcd and cries uf anruish issuinV from