Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-05-19
CHAPTER Ill,


door open, and Jane and Basil went in
to grand, gloomy-louking parlor, richly
carpeted, and hung with great mirrors
and rare paintings; there they stood still
and wondering. till sharp voice from
the upper end of the room caused them
to start and turn thi,hcr. |, was Ryall
Marsh who spoke, and his words were
rough
If you wan, an; thing of me. out with
it, and begone, for have little time TO
waste on you. ,-... ...
Then Basil, followed by Jane. went
close up to the stern browed man, who
sat in his cushioned chair by the fire, and
the two stood before him with dowucast
eyes, for in their childish hearts they
were afraid.
What have you come for? Why don't
you speak!' and those angry questions
seemed by their harshness to intuse ne
strength into BAIL, for he raised his head
and said
I'VE have come 10 ask money OF you.
Sir, we are starving. we are very cold
a. home; will you not help us!'
Ryall Marsh pushed back his specta-
cles, and looked kecnly at tho boy.
You are cool young bcggar, see;
bu. be off, have nothing for you
Blu. Basil pleaded-.Do not send us
away, We are SO very poor. SO very
wre,ched; give us bu. little, and the
dear angels will bless you for it,.
III certainly don's matter TO me if you
are 80 very poor; am noslbpund to sup.
port every lazy young beel6f who strolls
about. Come, You ha!l S|lQr be tramp
ing and the old man lc0 wrink!ed
with an angry frown.
Then out spoke the iier heart of Ba-
zil Keilh-'How dare you, sir, call me
lazy young beggar! am not such;
but you are wicked man-you cheated
my father out of all that he had; have
righ, to come to yon; am asking but
my own again.
Rvall Marsh looked up in amazement.
what does the fool mean! never kne W
your father, boy, and for your insolence
take this;' and as the excited old man
advanced towards Basil, little Jane thrcw W
herself upon her knees before him.
'Don't strike BAIL, SIR she sobbed;
'don't be angry with him, but do please
have mercy on us, we are SO very roor,
and mother is sick, and SO cold-do help
us.
Get along, you crying bratv sternly
said Ryall Marsh, ard then he roughly
pushed Jane from him. The child stag
gered, and fell on her face. She was
not much hurr, but sorely frightened
Her tears flowed faster than ever. And
Basil Keith. his slight figure trembling,
his pale cheek crimsoning, and his black
eye flashing with fierce rage, sprang for
ward.
You are cruel, Ryall Marsh,' he said
bitterly, .and as cowardly as you are
cruel. Old man, how could you strike
little girl to the floor! | despise YOU
| spurn you; and now. if you offered me
your gold would dash it in your face.
Come, Jane, come darliug. we will &c
away from here. and the boy took his
sister lovingly by the hand. But ere The
two reached the door, Basil again spoke
II hope God may forgive you, old Ry.
all Marsh, for this hours bi.ter ark
but cannot. We are so poor3 u
came to you humbly asking aims IND
how have you answered US! BY harsh
words, cruel refusals, and blows. And
mark me, sir, will hare revenge fol
this, yes, full revenge, even were il thirty
years hence; and ceasing 10 speak. Ba.
sill Keith passed out with firm. lout
step, from Royal Marsh's presence.-
And home went the children. eveii as
they came. sorrowing and friendfsss
but, in Basil's heart was kindled an an
CRY fire. and on his lips trembled Bit
ter word-reuenge! reUenge!
Mother | have told you all. Ryal
Marsh had no mercy on US, and | dash
ed the paper on the floor and left him;
left him sitting among his fair aud good
ly things whilst we passed out misera
bic. Mother, will have revenge on tina
old man; told him SO, and mean Il
keep that vow," and Basil's face flushed
with passion.
y :Vengeance is mine. will repay
saith the Lord slowly and solsmnly
said Gertrude Keith; 'son. remem5el
what the Book says, BLESS them which
curse you, pray for those who despite.
fully use you.' Ryall Marsh has deal
harshly with my children, he has done
me other wrongs you dream not of; ye;
God helping me, forgive him. Basil
do even this-forgive, as you hope to bs
forgiven And this was the mother.
last counsel to her boy. for. as the nigh
aeepened, Gertrude Keith grew faint ant
weak, and her voice became low ane
gasping, SO that the reighbors who stood
about her knew that the angel of death
had called her. .'rhe swellings of Jor
dan were not terrible 10 the dying wo.
man; sure Comforter was crossing
with her. and upon Him she leaned re.
Joicingly.
When the morning came, il found I
white robed earth. pure with glistenins
snow, but as for Gertrude Keith she ha(
put on whittier raimen:, one eoodly anC