Western Reserve chronicle and weekly transcript of the times. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1854-1855, 1855-03-21

mony. The guests were assembled, and
the kitchen being the only place in the
building large enough to contain them,
the cloth was spread from England into
Scotland. On the English end of the
table were placed ponderous plum Pud-
ding, studded with temptltion, and a smok-
ing sirloin; on Scotland, savory and
well seasoned haggis, with a sleeps head
and irouers; while the intermediate space
was filled with the good things of this
life, common 10 both kingdoms and 10 the
season.
The guests from the north, and from
the south were arranged promiscuously.
Every seat was filled-save one. The
chair by Peters right hand, remained un-
occupied. He had raised his hands be-
fore his eyes, and besought blessing on
what was placed before them, and was
preparing TO carve for his visitors, when
his eyes fell upon the vacant chair. The
knife dropped upon the table. Anxiety
flashed across his countenance, like an ar
row frcm an unseen hand.
"Janet, where is Thomus2" he inquired
''hae name O. We seen him!'' AMI without
waiting for an answer, he continued
''How is it possible he can be absent at
time like this ? And on such day, too
Excuse me a minute, friends, till | Just
step out and see if can find him. Since
ever kept this day, as mony O. We ken,
he has always been at my right hand, in
4 that very chair and L Gamma think o. be-
ginning our dinner, while see il empty"
"lf the filling of the chair be all"
$ aid pert young sheep-farmer named
Johnson, Il will step into it Till Master
Thomas arrives"
YOU'RE not a father, young mar"
said Peter, and walked out of the room.
Minute succeeded minute, but Peter re-
turned not The guests became hungry,
peevish, and gloomy, while an excellent
dinner continued spelling before them.
Mrs. Elliot, whose good nature was the
most prominent feature in her character,
slrove by every possible effort, 10 beguile
the unpleasant impressions she perceived
gathering upon their countenaces.
"Peter is just as bad as him. she re-
marked, "to hae gone sa lang when he
kenned the dinner would ma keep. And
| am sure Thomas kenned it would be
ready at one o'clock to minute" And
endeavoring to smile upon beautiful
black haired girl of seventeen, who sat
by her elbow, she continued, in an anx-
ious whisper, ''Did you see nothing O.
him, Elizabeth, hinny?"
The maiden blushed deeply; the ques-
ton evidently gave freedom TO tear,
which had, for some time, been an Jun
willing prisoner in the brightest eyes in
the room; and the monosyllable "No," +"
that trembled from her lips, was audible
only to the ear of the enquirer. In vain
Mrs. Elliot despatched one of her chill
dren after another, in quest of their IA
ther sand brother, they came and went,
but brought no tidings more cheering
than the moaning of the hollow wind
Minutes rolled into hours yet neither
came. She perceived the prouder OF her
guests preparing to withdraw, and, OBJ
serving that Thomas's absence was so
. singular and unacccuntable, and sa un-
; like either him or his father, she dinna
ken what apology 10 make to her friends
for such treatment, but. it was need
. less waiting, and begged they would use
J no ceremony, but just begin.
: No second invitation was necessary.
Good humor appeared TO be restored, and
sirloins, pies, and pastries, and moor.
fowl, began to disappear like the lost son,
For a moment, Mrs. Elliot apparently
5 par,ook in the restoration of cheerfulness,
r but low sigh al her elbow, again drove
! the color from her rosy cheeks. Her eye
! wandered to the farther end of the table,
and rested on the unoccupied seat of heI
/ husband, and the vacant chair of her
: firstborn. Her heart felt heavily within
: her; all the mother rushed into her bo-
S som, and rising from the table, ''what in
: the world can be the meaning O. this?
: said she, as she hurried with troubled
S countenance towards the door. Her hus,
band met her on the threshold.
Where hae ye been, Peter2" said
l she eagerly, "hae ye seen naething o
5 him?"
'.Naelhing naething 7" replied he: sis
t he ma cast up yet!' and with a melan-
choly glance, his eyes..soughi an answer
in the deserted chair. His lips quivered,
his tongue fallered.
"Gude forgive me.' said he; land
such day for even an enemy to be out
in! i've been up and down every way
thai l can think on, but not living
creature has seen, or heard tell O. him.
Ye'll excuse me, neebors," he added,
leaving the house L must ava again.
5 for Gamma rest
n 81 ken by myself" said Adam Bell
!; decent looking Northumbrian, ''that a
: fathers heart is as sensitive as the apple
r o his e'e; and l think we would show
>. 4 want O. natural sympathy and resPec
IS for our worthy neighbor, if we didni
; every one get bis foot into the stiTruI