The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-06-23
WESTERLY, r. l., THURSDAY, JUNE 49, 1853.


sternness Of manner unusual with him
therefore the more emphatic.
am sure | cam" added Mr.. Bing-
ly with firmness.
Il rely upon YOU" said the consid-
crate little chemist, and led the way
up staircase carpcted thickly, every
inch, to render inaudible the lightest OF
heaviest football This staircase, and
the chamber to which it led, were used
only in the most dangerous cases
wherein Mr.. Tisick exercised his benev-
olcncc and christian charity, in retaining
the patient under his own roof; it was a
portion Of the house separated from the
family apartments, and where none en-
tered except Oh q mission Of mercy.
Mr.. Tisick opened the door, which being
cncased in baize, without hasp or bolt,
yielded noiselessly to a slight touch.
Mr.. Bingly paused for instant on the
threshold, and convulsivcly grasped
the hand of the chemist, who suffered
the door again to close at this symptom
of agitation but as if ashamed of his
irresolution, Mr.. Bingly, though evident
ly with an effort, recovered his self-pos-
session and motioned to proceed.
The gas-shades were so contrived as
to throw subdued soft light over the
apartment ; the curtains of the low bed
were drawn back and tucked away, as
if to give air to the invalid, or--what
was more thrilling thought-facility
perhaps to some torturing operation
which had been performed, or was still
to be performed.
The patient lay like a corpse upon
the bed, the upper part of the face en-
tirely concealed by green shade placed
over the forehead, as there were injuries
apprchended to the sight but the mouth
and nostrils strongly defined, pale and
graceful in their clear outline as statuary
marble, were too close u resemblance
for the father to behold unmoved-h
lgonlzcd grasp Of the chemists shoulder
1t once awolic the latter's experienced
that feeling would overcome
prudence But he instantly saw that
resolution had resumed her sway, the
torture Of suspense had found vent and
relief in tears, which silently flowed
down the fathers cheeks for one he at
the moment believed to be his son.
With many struggle the father kept
his promise Of silence, in the hope Of
being permitted to remain just where he
to the spot-watching the
the slightest movement, or
even the breathing of his son. At this
the patient moved his hand,
turning the palm upwards as in search
If some friendly clasp; the chemist,
With the quickncss of thought, prevented
.hc father from giving the answering
pressure but still the longing hand was
stretched out, and suddenly II young
air creature, more like an angel than
human being, who had been watching,
lalt-cOncealcd amid the folds of the
curtain, crept gently forward and placed
Ter small white hand in his. The
ingers Of the invalid closed round the
title prisoner, as if to retain the treas
ire, and his tranquil slumbcr continued.
This incident, though silent, seemed to
freak the spell which the minute before
lad made all motionless and the care
ul little chemist drew Mr.. Bingly-his
yes to the last fixed upon the bed
airly out of the room.
They descended to the snug little
'arlor where the chemists little wife was
low seated, busily employed with needle
york. Mr. Bingly threw himself into
hair, and covering his face with his .
ands, gave way to an irrepressiblo and
asSionate burst of grief. Mrs. Tisick
hought as all women do, how over
must be the sorrow which
auscs man to weep; and approaching
lr. Bingly, although ignorant OF the
ausc, pressed his hand in sympathy.
" Come, come, dear SIR" said the
hemist, "do not distress yourself per-
APPS needlessly; it is still a problem
'hethcr he be your son or not. Your
wn Imagination tortures you-thc fea-
ures were not sufficiently revealed to
onfim your fears"
81 would give up all l possess to see !