Eastern times., 1855-05-10

was. / remember wishing TO take him with
me. But my poor sister would moi part with
him. She had married again after the death
of her first husband, Williams father, and a
wretched match he made; for this second hus-
band proved TO be habitual drunkard, always
half mad when intoxicated, who broke out at
last into desperate frenzy, and, but for my in
terposition, would have murdered the poor
boy. seem to see the struggle now, thought
the old man, closing his eyes he fiinging
himself upon William with table knife, and
rushing between them just soon enough to
receive the blade in my arm. | bear the mark
still. The madman was sent TO an asylum,
and there soon died. And my poor sister,
well of for her station, could not part from
this only son. He was fine lad, was Will
liam, spirited and geneross and when she
also died he was already attached 20 the girl
whom he afterwards married. helped them,
too, for | loved the boy helped on that
match, for it was one of sincere affection, and
they were in a way TO earn handsome COM
petence there must have been some impru-
dence, or great i'll luck, to have reduced them
to such poverty So ran the train of the old
cripple's reverie. Il never suspected it: he
never wrote me and l, engaged in my own
affairs, and with children then of nv own
well, will see them, however. They are in
this field cleaning. So said their neighbor.
Yes, this is the field; there they are. I'll see
them, thought Michael Norris, though it is
probable that they too will know nothing OF
me- And, opening the gate, the old man
limped slowly across the furrows, and began
gathering the scattered ears of corn in his
withered hand
We have said the field, although, after
passing the gate, which admitted him between
the two high hedges that bound it on the
northern side, the wide expanse from which
the wheat had just been carried, assumed the
appearance rather of large open ridge of ara
bic land, bordered by the high road, and ter
minated by distant village, than of the small
enclosures so common TO the midland counties
A pretty scene it was, as it lay before him,
bathed in the sunshine and lovely group
was that TO which his attention was immodi-
ately directed. A pale young woman, whose
regular and beautiful features received addi-
tona interest from her close widows cap,
stood before him, holding fine infant in her
arms very pretty girl of twelve or thirteen
was hourishirg tuft of wheat ears before the
baby's eyes, smiling herself al the smile she
excited, while her little brother clung to the
mothers petticoat in momentary fear of two
high fed dogs attending gentleman and lady
riding slowly along the road.
The poor cripple drew back, and sat down
under clump of maple and hawthorne, gay
with the purple wild vei,ch, the white bind
weed, and the pretty cematis, known by the
still pretter name of the travellers Joy :
whilst the riding party called off their dogs,
spoke gracously TO the child and his mother,
and passed slowly out of sight AS they left
her, Mrs. Leslie, for she it was, approached
the old man, 10 replace her infant in mis- era
die; inches under the fragrant shade of some
overhanging hazel stems, just beside his rude
scat Struck by the evidence OF poverty, sick
ness and sorrow, afforded by his tattered ap-
parel, and his wrinkled vet venerable coun,e-
nance, she took up pitcher which stood by
the cradle, and, with the kindness which the
very poor so often show TO each other, and a
remark upon the heat ofthe day, offered him a
small cupfull of the milk which formed the
contents of the jug. He took it with trem-
bling hand, and thanked her with an emotion
which our readers will comprehend, but which
at once surprised and interested its object
Your name is Leslie Z asked he, after re-
turning the cup with thanks and blessings, as
he made room for her beside him on the
thymy bank. your name is Leslie
Margaret Leslie. 1t is so.'
The wife of William I0lie!
His widow. All, me his widow y re-
piled she, with sigh. The widowed moth
er of these children Michael, added she, as
the boy came near them, take some milk
yourself, and carry cupful to your sister, and
bring what wheat ears she and you have gath
cred TO my little heap
Michael echoed the old man, your hus.
bands name was William. How came you to
call his son Michaell But the name belongs
TO your family perhaps; your father, or some
favorite brother I!
No. replied the widow, it was for a diff
ferent reason. A very dear klnsman of my
husbands bore that name, and in token oflove
and gratitude to him, and in fulflment of ar
old promise, so our young son was christened.
remember, muttered the cripple 10 him
self, remember William said his first boy
should bear my name, and think he wrote to
that effect after the child was born but the
letter must have arrived at that time o.
misery; Then, rousing himself, and turning
to the gentle creature, whom feeling of un-
usual interest still detained at his side, he
added aloud, l do remember that William
Leslie had an uncle called Michael Norris
but what peculiar cause of gratitude
what cause!' interrupted Mrs. Leslie, 4
thousand causes from mere infant, when
heard my husband say that he gave him the
first shilling he ever possessed, that kind