The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-03-02

understand the hue Of my mothers dress
nor the agony Of tears with which my pa
rents greeted ME. escaped from the
room, aud eagerly sought my brothers and
sister. The house was silent /; the garden
no longer resounded with childish mirth,
and with feeling ofawe in my little heart
l again returned to the darkened room,
and asked my mother, where are nv
brothers and little Kate I"
With = thrilling cry Of agony, the men,
ory Of which even now causes my blood
to chill, she sank upon the floor, and while
some one was attending to her, my friend
who had returned with me, drew me away
and with streaming eyes, told me that my
playmate, were gone from me never to re-
turn. l could not comprehend at first,
why they were not to come back but she
led me to the church-yard, and there by
the side Of three newly raised mounds of
earth, she explained to me that beneath
them were those sought, and when cried
to have them taken from tho earth, she
tried to instil inte my mind that their pure
souls had gone to better world.
In my absence, my father and the chill
dren had been attacked with prevailing
epidemic, which had proved fatal to the
little ones, but after tedious sickness nv
father recovered. Each day wandered,
sad and lonely about the house, and often
l begged my mother to send me to the
heaven where my companions had gone.
Ah l knew not then how closely her
lacsrated heart twined about me. knew
not how jealously her deep affection watch
ei over her surviving child. 'Tis only now
since look upon my own pets that can
realize her maternal love.
Months passed on ; my fathers long ill.,
ues. proved very expensive, and he reeov-
cred To find his business deeply involved
in difficulties, and that his partner had de-
camped to parts unknown with all the
profits Of the concern. Wronged, decciv-
ed where he had felt unlimited confidence,
my parent nearly sank beneath the blow,
and again was he reduced BY sicknes.
but = strong constitution triuIuphed once
morS, his health returned, but our dear
homo had to Le given up. and We remov-
ed to the city. My mother sacrificed all
her little property to establish my father
in business again. But his troubles had
nearly broken him down, his native ener-
gy seemed subdued, his confidence WAS
gone, and neg!e ting his business, he yiel-
ded to temptation, and strore 70 drown
his despair in the Intoxicating cup. All
remonstrAnee was vain, and when, Mary,
| had reached my twelfth year, We were
living in = miserable little house, and my
broksn-hearted mother toiled day and
night for the support ofa wretched hus-
band and her child. In vain desired to
quit school and assist my mother to gain
livlihood. She would not permit it, say
ing that she desired me 10 receive what
education it was in her power to obtain
for me, and she would willingly work har-
der that | nigh. enjoy the benefits,
which were so advantageous TO the poor
as well - the rich.
Ny poor mother! her own talents and
education had been superior, but none
would have recognized in tho pale, thin
face, and broken spirit Of my dear parent
she who was once admired for her briliaut
mind, As we'll ~ loved for her kindness
Her greatest pleasure seemed to be in my
love for my studies and often 40 she wea-
rily piled the needle, did she assist me in
my tasks. Never can forget the raptu-
rous look with which she folded me to her
heart, whom she learned that ! had been
admitted to the High School, AFTER sue
cesssful examination.
With avidity pursued my studies, stri-
wing between schools to render all the as
sistancs in my power to my mother, for
but little help did my father ronder. His
very nature was changed from kind, ami
able man to an irritable, passionate tyrant,
but he was not always so, for sometimes
he would be perfectly sober for = tn
or so, and he would appear quite like his
former self; then would my mothers tears
dry, and hope animate her heart, alas 10
be again crushed when the tempter once
moro secured his victim. Oh! how alb
horred the hypocracy and deceit that had
caused the ruin OF my parents Tho vii
lany OF one whom my father trusted, had
made him drunksrd, my dear mothe,
brokcn-hearted, and clouded my own
childhood. In my own heart 1 prayed
that never by word OF deed might I wan
der from truth and right, to the injury of
one being, and the lessons Of my mother
-:.c deeply graven in my heart, to love
and venerate truth.
At school Was surrounded by the chill
dren Of the wealthy, and ohen was my SEN
satiye heart wounded by the glance ofcon.
tempt, cast upon my humble apparel, that
though always clean and whole, bore am
pie marks Of poverty. Often WAS my
heart crushed by some scornful remark
made by my classmate, who seemed to
feel insulted that one 20 poor a. myself
should presume 10 attend that school
Often had 1 rushed hone, feeling that !
would never 60 again, and then when l
would look upon my mothers pale face,
aud think that Il was her Only pleasure
that was advancing in my studies,I would
rcscluteiy stife my snguish Of spirit, and
apply myself al tho moro diligently.
feit that vas an outcast among my com
panions. Ifeltthat the teachers eye rest.
Cd eoldly on me, when ! stood frs. in my