The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-02-17

pare oeilghtiul surprise ior them; especial.
ly for Isabella, who had from the first been
thoroughly understood and appreciated by
Martha, and through her was beginning to be
so by Mr.. Sellers. So they allowed them 10
suppose that they were merely carrying their
own invitations to Jack Marvel and the rest
The sky was without cloud, the granite
pavement of the streets sparkled like diamonds
and the drtest houses looked almost gay in
the winter sunshine, that penetrated every
nook of the town Of Brankleigh. But there
was keen northeast wind, and the bride
folded her warm cloak closer about her as she
passed over the open space in the neighbor-
hood of Skinner Street. They had called at
the grocer's on their way, but he knew no.
thing of Mary. He said that woman an
swering her description, called occasionally;
but she always paid ready money, and carried
her small purchases away with her in little
basket, and that was all he could tell them.
He "though she was lady-looking person,
something above the common; but he had
never troubled his head much about her, hav-
ing enough to do to attend to his customers
as they came" So they were obliged to de-
part unsatisfed, to the bitter disappointment
Of Mr.. Sellern.
at would have been good plan to have
left note at Dawson's," said Martha as they
entered Skinner Street, and stopped under
clothes-line that stretched across it, loaded
with wet linen. "Ony fear that she laid
in her store of Christmas groceries yesterday
and will not call again for some time. 1t is
great pity. should so have liked to in
vte her to dinner for Christmas.day. Do
you not feel with me, dear Charles, that it is
a peculiarly suitable time for healing family
breaches!"
"You know, Martha, how perfectly agree
with you in most things, and, above all, in
your exhibitions of benevoence. But can
not feel that one day is better than another
for performing good actions,"
"Nor do mean to say so. God forbid
But think times and seasons are requisite
FOR many people, just to remind them of the
acts of Kindness which they may have ne
elected to perform. The majority have not
yet sufficiently drank in the spirit of the |
gospel"
"Look! here is Dukes Yard. What |
filthy entry! We shall be ankle-deep in mud"
"Never mind, dear; you need not shrink
On my account. My boots are thick, and this
stout merino gown will take no damage. Ny
dress is never hindrance to me-"
q" "See!" said Martha again, pointing to
man who was sitting on the doorstep of
ruinous house in the corner of the yard. <
"How bitterly that poor fellow is weeping!"
Shall we speak to him!"
"What is the matter with you, my friend!"
inquired Mr.. Sellers, going towards him, and
laying kind hand on his shoulder.
The man lifted up haggard face, that too
plainly bore the traces of recent intoxication.
"Bless my soul!' exclaimed Mr.. Sellers,
Jack Marvel, is it you!'
Poor Jack recognized his brother.in-law,
but the recognition appeared to give him
neither surprise nor pleasure. He coldy and
1istantly shook hands and then relapsed into
his fit of weeping.
"Can do anything for you, Jack?" said
Mr.. Sellers again. "For old acquaintance
sake, for the memory of your poor sister, my
late wife, confide in me-"
"Much reason you rich people give one to
confide in you," at length Jack replied. "You
wish me to trust your friendship. Did you,
six years ago, when you all but forbade me
your housed You were no doubt afraid that
poor, tuttered, drunken Jack would disgrace
his rich half-sister's funeral, and so you did
not even give him notice that she had DEPART
ed this life."
"No, Jack, must uhdeceive you there
At that time, had lost all trace of you;
heavy trouble had fallen upon me my wife,
and we seldom saw any one, or went abroad
ourselves, except upon necessary business.
No, Jack, there you do me wrong"
$50 you condescend to justify yourself to
me. 1t is well; times must be changed with
you. Come into the house, and learn les
son upon riches and spoverty-a lesson for
which you may be the better all your life"
Mr.. Sellers turned towards his wife. Her
soft dark eyes were brmming over with tears;
but che bowed her head, as much as to say,
"let US 60 in"
So they followed Jack, who led them into
a damp, mouldy apartment, where few emb.
ers in rusty CRATE gave out bat small de-
gree Of heat, that was by no means sufficient
to dry the humid walls. But there was some
thing there worse than the scent of mould
and humidity. Upon an old deal table was
raised white heap, most fearfully like a
coffin covered with a ragged tablecloth; g.
the room was filled with pungent seatrhing
odor, that caused both Mr. Sellers and Mar
tha to step backwards. They attempted to
recover themselves without giving any sign
of their disgust, but Jack had perceived the
movement, and he laughed bitterly.
"Yes," he said, "you are not deceived. 1t
is sovenly, unhandsome corpse that stands
betwixt the wind and your nobility. You
cannot breathe five minutes in the same room
with it. How would you like to bescompell-
ed to eat with it, drink with it, and sleep with
it.
"But," said Mr.. Sellers, "if you have hot
funds to bury the body of your poor child
for such suppose it to be, though never
heard that you were marred--if you have
not the necessary funds, why did you not
apply to mel"
"To the rich brother-in-law, who looked
and sneered me out of his house!" said Jack