Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-10-27
WHOLE NO. sc.

custom is strange. almost cruel one.
but 1t is still custom In some parts of
New Eng and. When the coffin rested
beside ;he open grave. The lid was raised.
and one by one the villagers looked upon
the widows face, some with tears and
sobs. and some without visible emotion:
though they were but few.
Charles Davenport stood not far from
Ellen. who was leaning upon Alice in
State of wild sorrow. He walked up TO
the coffin with Annie Nithers on his
arm; she gazed down on thdt placid face,
for through all the sorrow of the counte-
nance there cleaned look of holy hap
! plness, without a tear. But Charles burst
into 9ood of tears as he looked upon the
! beautiful face before him. and thought
of her suffering and E.len's bitter sor-
| row.
Ellen came at last. leaning upon the
farmers daughter. kind Alice. who would
not let her go up alone 10 take tie last,
last look. Her face was very pale and
sorrowful, and as she reached the coffin
Side, She sank upon her knees There was
a look of agony, intense and bitter, up
On her face. and the tears ran down like
-ain, from her eyes. She kissed The white
foTehesd. and sire ;ched out her rembling
hand to replace the muslin over her moth.
er's face. 1t was more than she could
beer, for throwing herself into Alice's
arms. and whispering. Il cannot | cam
/ noi!' she tainted away. Charles Was a,
her side IN moment. .Gd covering up
that sorrOwful, yet sweet face. bore Ell
len Way 10 fresh air and cool water--
The lid was shut and the coffin lowered
into the grave. a few remarks, which
sounded s'rang ly cold. made BY the
fashionable young clergy man. and the
people turned away TO their homts.
1t WAS in vain that Annie Wiihers
waited for Charles; he and Alice had
borne Ellen 10 the farmers home and
were doing all they could 10 soften her
agonizlng sorrow. In the evening he
came back TO Withers'. but started Early
the next morning for home H. told his
father all that had happened while he was
gone, and with all the enthusiasm Of mis-
nature. pictured Alice Neil 10 them.
with her beauty and grace and education.
toe. and mUEe than all, heI love and kind
ness.
And you love Alice, CharIes?' said
his mother. He said nothing, but blush
ed scarlet.
Go and win her. if you can" said his
father. I'VE shall love her for her gen.
tie virtues and herself. as we'll as ioT your
cake. She may br humbly born. but she
is nobIer and far more worthy than those
rich and fashion able women, who live
but ride IN their carriages ald look cold
iy down upon the virtuous poor!
When Charles was again ia the village
Of S.. he went at once to (. rmer Nei.s.
Alice and Ellen were tt gethrr in the par
lor. the former looking swee;lv beautiful,
and the latter. though sad yet more
cheerful than he had ever seen her. As
if guessing the object OF his visit. Ellen
arose In "a little while TO go out. The
color crimsonrd the cheek of Alire as shs
/ tried la vain TO detain her--and they were
alone
! l will not describe " hat followed A
half hour aftrrward Charles left the fs rm
house the happiesI f.iIow in $. and
! Alice. with her chet ks very red her eyes
, full Of happy tears. entered the kitchen
I ia search of Ellen.
What is the matter. Ally2" asked her
father. Has young Davenport been ma
king love TO your He should have bet
ter manners than TO try to rob me of my
bird!''
/ Her cheeks flushed redder than ever.
and she looked almost painted. Ellen
sprang 10 her side, and looked beseech
+ irgly into the old farmers face. and he
added:
ALLY, am joking; YOU may love
whom you pIeosr; shall never COM
plain"
But. father. if-if-I love him." said
Alice. softly and tremblingly.
why. you would love no6le fellow.
and if he loves you. the world would say
you had married very high, but good and
noble as he is, Ally, you are worthy of
him"
The next day, Charles explained all TO
he father
Months passed away. and they were
married; and now Alice is the mistress
of beautiful home, which she grares
more beautifully than ever Annie or Sd
rsh Withers could do. She is loved by
old Mr. and Mrs. Davenport. She and
Charles spend the warm dcg-days always
with her ia ther in $, sno are aiwSys
happv. Ellen is with them like rr,
growing more beautiful. though there is
sadness in her blue eyes st times which
makes her beauty the more touching 10
see She is favorite with many wealthy
people. but her gentleness ssn makes her
loved by The poor. She remembers the
Kindness of friends when she was poor
old Mr.. Davenport hos made her wealthy.
and is kind always TO those whe are as
she once was.