Kenosha tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1855, 1855-05-10

'Of what is my little Eva thinking that
she should look 50 unhappy she asked, in
tone that sounded strangely sweet in their
Swallowed room. The answer came ac-
compaiied by almost a sob.
%, mamma-mamma--ho l wish we
could go back to the old homestead, where
We used to be so happy
Mrs. Clayton choked down sigh. All!
many and many time had her own lips
silently echoed the same prayer. Many a
time had her heart gone back longingly 10
the dear home of her childhood, now, alas,
in the hands of strangers. With violent
effort she swept back the thoughts which
threatened 10 agitate her beyond control,
and replied cheerfuliy TO the questioning
look which now sought hers.
Yes. Eva. should like much to go back
again. but that at present is impossible, -
You know we are very poor, and cannot az
ford to buy the Old place from those who
have it in their possession
But why did papa sell it at ALP ques-
toned the child, sorrowfully
'Because-becanse. he was obliged TO-
was the hesitating reply.
heart by telling her the whole truth, and
say in the excess other wounded feelings
he cruelty tore from me the osly link which
bound mo to my native VILLAGE the spot
endeared TO me by many fond recollections
Ito pander to debascd appetite for strong
drink; he has brought upon me ruin and
misery, and why should | longer care for
him.
Shall l sing tina: little by mn you love so
well, Eva,' she asked, anxious to divert the
mind from SO painful subject. and recsv
ing a reply in the affirmative, she sang I'M
til those long siikea lashes dropped heavily,
and Eva slept calmly and peacefully in her
arms. Rising softly. she carried her to the
humble couch, and having laid her upon it,
bent down and placed her lips to the I'M
conscious brow of the youthful sleeper, While
a mental prayer. that she might always re-
main as pure and spo;less in spirit, rose to
her lips. She returned to her seat by the
window. and with one hand supporting her
head. gazed sadly out upon the Scene--now
bathed in one rich flood of moonlig ht-with
heavy sense of desola;eness and loneliness
Ching down her heart. The present,
with its dark shadows, was forgotten; the
linn past went silent memory, recalling The
hours when she, IA laughing. careless child,
played upon the lawn fronting the old Par
sonage that nestled away SO white among
the green shrubbery. Those years had
passed away like bright, pleasant dream;
and then had come womanhood with its
numerous hopes and fears, and her first
dream of love, when Harry Clayton, hand
some, talented and wealthy, knelt at her feet
suein. for return of his affection. And
again she recalled the hour when they both
stood at the altar of the village church, and
her aged father pronounced the words that
made them one for life, accompanying it
with fervent blessing; and she remember
ed how his voice had trembled as he said,
Treat her well. Harry; she is my only dar-
ling-lhe only living pledge of her sainted
mother. Promise me that she will never
miss doating fathers tenderness
And Harry had promised eagerly and
with all sincerity. Had it been kept? By
the memory of the many tears she had shed
over her fallen hope, by the years ofsneg-
lect, of sorrow and bitter poverty, misfor-
tune which she could i'll have borne, but
for her child's sake bore braveIy, her lips
echoed sadly. No. At the earnest entreat-
les of her parent they had resided at the par
sonage during which time Eva had come
to gladen all hearts, until death came TO
close the good old mans eyes, and release
him from his weary pilgrimage upon earth.
unI Il / IA h.. .>f oI>
Mr.. Clayton WAS the head, obliged them at
length TO move 10 "a distant city. With an
aching heart Mrs Clayton had babe adeu
to each cherished scene OIL her happy child
hood. AS the carriage which contained
them Grove slowly past the venerable church
yard, where slepta still mourned father and
mother, the binding tears hid the marble
tombStones from her lingering gaze as
prophetic voice seemed to whisper. You
will no. look upon them again for years
Eva's grief had been as great as her own.
and her father had siriven in vain to COM
fort her.
You shall go back next summer, dar-
ling he said, drawing the sorrowful little
face TO MS bosom. When the birds and
bright flowers come, and the old parsonage
lies almost buried in its green shrubbery,
then we will visit it again
Eva shook her head doubtingly. No,
shall never see it again, papa. and poor old
grandpa's grave. too. ., papa, why must
We go?'
Was there prophecy in the sadly utter
ed words? Was there foreshadowin. to
the strangely matured mind Of the child, of
another little grave beside the grayhaired
grandsire, with the flowers she loved in life |
blossoming brightly above her silent form?
All, with how many varied emotions did !
that conversation, coming back through the .
lapse of years, recur TO the lonely woman !
by the window side.
For some months after their arrival in .
their new home time passed peacefully and
happily. And then there came a sudden /
reverse of fortune. One of those lightning
strokes which in one hour has reduced The .
rich man to the level OF the beggar, visited /
Mr. Clayton, and he found all the wealth |
of years swept from him as If BY magic
MOI possessing sanyuine temperament. he |
became gloomy and Respondent, and not all
l. ~ -. / L