Columbia gazette., 1854-06-24

last words of the affectionate missive,
he folded it, carefully laid it away in
his breast pocket, and turned to the
care Of his charge, from whose side he
was absent scarce a moment through
two long, weary days Of suffering. At
the expiration of that time, the patient
sunk into long, deep slumber, from
which he awoke with the full conviction
that his hours on earth we're numbered.
"Major," said he, 81 know cannot
live to see the rising Of another sun !;
and I could die happy aud contented,
were it not for the thought of being
buried in this dreary land, so far from
my own, dear native home. Oh! if !
could but be buried under the thorn
tree in the orchard, I could 60 without
a pang."
"And so you shalt, my boy" said
the Major. "Whcn parted from Jour
parents I pledged them my honor that
l never would leave your side, until
you was within your own home. This
pledge I will redeem, at the risk Of my
| life /; aad 50, my dear boy, rest easy on
that score. Your last wishes shall be
faithfully attended to-
And most reiigiously did the good
man keep his word. Whom the wild
flowers were springing up throughout
the fair New England vallies, and the
thorn tree in the orchard was snow-white
with its wreaths Of fragrant flowers,
there was a little party Of mourners
gathered beneath its boughs to consign
to the earth loved, but lost one from
ittle- family band. The mother and
the father wero there, Bowed to the
earth with their FIRST, great SORROW
Tho sister, Louise, pale and fearful,
stood holding the weeping little Willie
by the hand I; and near the reverend old
village pastor, stood the Major, with
uncovered head, looking as though his
heart was buried il the grave with his
dear young favorite. Aad Ella San
ford, too, was there-weeping bitterly
for her childhood's playmate and COM
psnion Of after years.
Mr.. and Mrs. Waterford we're what
is called small farmers, IN one of the
New England farming districts, and
though living comfortably, they were
unable to do anything for their eldest
son young man Of great promise. All
that lay in their power was to give him
an excellent English education, but
could do nothing to assist him into bus
mess. In that part Of the world, ad-
vancement for youth is slow and tedious
to painful degree; and fer this reason
did they finally yield TO the earnest So
licitations of Frank, that he might go to
California and try his fortune. Finally,
it was arranged that as Major Turpin
was going, and he kindly offered to take
the young man under his fatherly pro-
lection, they woald no lengcr withhold
their consent, but set about preparing
everything as comfortably as possible
for his long joarncy-tAe fatal results
of which We have seen.
It may seem strange that Major Tur-
pin took such deep interest in the
welfare Of one who was no way bound
to him by the ties Of blood. Some Of the
knowing old Yankee women, who knew
the parties in their youth, elucidatcd
the matter by half mysterious hints in
this wise: 81 always knowcd," said
they, "that Jccmcs Txrpin had won
derful hankerin arter Mamie Horton,
but he was mighty timcrsome, was
Jeemcs, and he let young Waterford
come in an marry her right off tho han
die, afore aaybedy know'd what wcr
go;ag' on. Jcemes' marin said he
'peared to grow wonderful thin, and
dida't cat nothin' for good spell ; and
sartin he didn't go TO the weddia', nor
the Unfair, though he had g lot of invi
tations ; but he said he had business
way off in ,'other part Of the county
Maybe be had, dun know. And may