Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-11-09

- NAN ElN1SAs wv WhDlNhODI
married The seven days rolled round, as all
seven days do-to the happy, every hour is fraught
with Joy; to the miserable, tagging on leaden
wings. In the little church upon the hill, Win
ME- the village pet, was. given away by the old
minister who had held her in his arms when she
was babe, and prayed with tears and trembling
over the bodies of her dead father and mother.
They returned to Winnie's home, now their
Joint possession, and never couple sat down to
wedding supper with brighter prospects, or holier
mutual love. .-- . -... .....-...., ., .
Three months had passed, and nothing seem
ed likely to occur to mar their happiness. 1t was
now the beginning of severe winter, but the eel
lar stocked with comforts, and the little par
lor, with its bright-hued furniture and ruddy coal
fire, seemed almost the cosest, prettiest place in
the world. . .., ........
Hal, who was more ambitious IN his tassessoften
asked Winnie why she did not take the cheerful
square room up stairs, where the sun laid all day,
for her sitttng-room. But she always answered
him that it was sacred, and should always be, to
the little old corporal; that her grandfather's dy-
ing wish was gospel, and if she dsobeyed him, she
should expect to be haunted of nights. So Hal,
laughing, always gave up the point. ss
Rodney of late had seemed changed. He was
more frank and merry with Hal-jonng him at
his leisure, and payfuly insisting that he must
learn the trade. And he very handy with
sssharp- edged tools, and with natural facility,
really performed some creditable things. But he
watched Hal closely with his eagle eye. s#
+ The night was inky black, and a storm ragged
with tenfold fury over the meadows and fields con-
contiguous to s'Happy Lake, Winnie sat watch
ing for her husband, too nervous to work; the sup
per-cloth was spread, and kettle spluttering and
singing aver hot fame. 1t was later than usual
when Hal made his appearance. He dashed off
his hat, tore his dripping overcoat from his shoul
ders, and letting them lie where they fell turn
ed his haggard face to Winnie. She could not
forbear to scream at the sight, for his eyes were
bloodshot, and their expression terrible beyond
anything she had eyer witnessed before.
''something has happened! o, Hal, what is
it! What have you done!" she cried beesech-
ingly, with clasped hands and tears.
81 am ruined that's all!'' he said huskily, bend
ing over and leaning his broad forehead upon his
shut hands. 81 am runed!-and see through it
all, but to no purpose! I am in his power; am
ruined And then, with manner akin to mad
ness-so rresolute, so sometimes fierce, then
smo hered it was-he told her, that in the morn
ing, when he had gone to put few finishing
touches to the house-his pride, his guarantee for
the fur ture-he found, to his absolute astonish-
ment, that thick heaps of snow had drifted it I'M
dor tbo SiIlc tbn nd
the wind, blowing fresh, ratified every easement
that he had left so secure but two days before
He told her the squire had been there; how he
had cursed him in his anger, and asked him if that
was the way he did his work, and what custom he
expected to command. Confused, crazed, how
he could answer nothing, but that che had left
them secure; that this was the handiwork of some
enemy, or the evil one"
But all this was Greek to the squire A vic
tim of gout, he had not for three months been to
his elegant mansion And this was his reward
his beautiful paper soiled, his windows crazy an
old century ruin, and looking further, the mould
/ ing uneven, as if cross-cut with a pen-knie,
and awkwardly smoothed. In fine, all over the
house, Hal had the modification Of seeing his la
Dor of year defaced, though so cunning y that it
invited the closes inspection.
| Now, what was to be done! He had offered
to replace and renew, but the squire would hear
nothing of it; and lastly, in his anger, he rashy
charged his nephew and heir with the perpetra-
ton ofthe mischief, ,and so ncensed the old squire
that he had almost forcrbly put him from the
house.
Winnie wept with her husband; but soon dry
ing her tears she offered the sweetest consolation
/ and made arrangements to see the old squire her
SELF But he would not be pacifed. He declar
ed that he would deduct Halls wages and ge
some one who knew his business to make all nee
essary alterations; in fact, violent was he: Win
ME left the house weeping, as only sorrowtu
woman can weep. asE'
i The young couple had depended wholly upol
the forthcoming sum, and it was sad disappoint
ment to find it thus curtaled. But what coul'
they do! 1t was useless to complain. "Wh'
would believe their report {! - The story wen
forth with the usual exaggerations, and few woul
employ poor Hal through the long winter months
Still they were comfortably off, and but for on
heavy debt hanging like milstone about thei
hearts, they might have kept want from their door
: That, it was useless to think of paying cow, TO
Winnies little savings must still be eked alon
t to buy food, and provide for the coming illness
which would bring with it heavy expenses, as wei
+ as love and rejoicing ..-..f .G4.=. ..-... 80.
, A babe was born and Hal who had change
: from the gay, ght-hearted fellow, to Il sad almos
desponding man, reused up for while after thi