The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-04-11

4 and that, wherever 1t may be, is too sad
Q sight to look upon.
, But what wife the old man had, .
, make up, as it seemed even to me, for oil
I say to me, for one Of those lost children
maiden of seventeen, was my bctrothe'
wife-thc gentlest and most gracious crea
turc eyes ever looked upon; l think II
could write my thoughts Of her, l shoui'
move those to tears who never saw her face
when they read " Gertrude died. sh'
gave herself to me the old man never coult
have given her. I.say no more.
This is why Trcmadyn House has become
to me home. 1t pleases Robert Chetwoot
to have his friends son with him, above al
because he was his daughters plighted hus
band, and my fathers friend is thereby deal
to Inc as Gcrtrudc's father. When tho
Christmas party has dispersed, and the great
house is quite cmpticd Of its score Of guests,
still remain with the old couple over the
new year. They call Inc son, as though
were their son, and call them my parents.
If Heaven had willed it so, dear trude Ger
and myself could not have hoped for greater
welded happiness, more love between u.s.
than is between these two. Perhaps" he
says, with smile, I never saw ayoung man
wear, perhaps it is that my old eyes are
getting dim and untrustworthy, but Char
lotte seems to me the dearest and most pleas
ant.looking dame in all the world And
his wife makes answer that her sight also is
just Us little to be depended on. To each Of
them has como the silver hair, and the rev.
erence with it that alone makes 1t beautiful,
and it their steps are slower than in youth,
il is not because their hearts are heavier {;
they are indeed of those, so rare ones, who
make us in love with life down even to its
close. They always seemed to me as having
climed the hill together their whole lives
long, and never was more astonished than
upon new years eve, when Mrs. Chetwood
being with us two in after dinner talk, as
custom was when all her guests were gone,
her husband told this history. He had al-
ways talked quite openly to me.
A pair OF friends, though was young,
And Robert, seveniy.two;
and at the end oi another year of lovo and
confidence, could not resist inquiring Of
them how long they two had been one.
"well, on my word George" said the
dear old lady, "you should be moro discreet
than to ask such questions"
But her husband answered readily:
"This thirty years. I've been a married
man myself this halfa century, :,
"why, you don't mean to Say" saia
/.
"Yes, lido, he interrupted. "ofcourSe
| do. Charlotte has been my wife too long
suppose, to be jealous now Of either Kate
or Mary; but l loved them each in their
turn almost Us dearly as ] love her. Char
lotte," he added, turning towards her as
she sat in the great armed chair, "you don't
mind George being told about my other two
wives, do you"
81 don't mind your talking OF Mary
much" she answered, 90 but get over that
young Kato's story as quickly as you can,
please"
And really thought detected blush
come over her dear old face while she was
speaking.
"It is rather less than half century
ago." he began, "sincc I first set foot in
this beautiful Devon county. came down
ON short holiday from London, in the sum-
mcr time, to fish, and I brought with me,
besides my rod and basket, portmanteau
full of cloths and about twenty-five pounds
in gold, which was the whole amount of my
savings. was junior clerk in honsc at
that day with one hundred and twenty
pounds year, and with as much chance Of
becoming partner as you, my poor brief
fess Charles, have Of sitting on the WOOL
sack. From tho top Of Tremadyn House l
could point you out the farm house where
lodged, and will some day take you to sec it
"a mighty homestead, with huge portico
of stone, and flights Of stone steps leading
to the upper chambers from without. On
one side was the farm yard filed with swine
and poultry, with open stalls for cattle, and
enormous barns, not so well kept or so neat
perhaps, as the present day requires, but a
perfect picture of plenty; on the other stood
the cidcr-presscs, and beyond, the apple or
chards, white with promise, red with fruit,
made the air faint with fragrance; half or
chard was the garden, too, in fruit, through
which, beneath rustic bridge, my trout
stream wondered. Charlottee, you know
the placc-haye not painted itT"
"You have, Robert" she said. The tears
were in her eyes, ready to fall, / saw.
"Therc, then, met Katie. The good
man of the house was childless, and she,
his cousin was we'll cared for Us his own
child. 1t was no wonder, George; the dark
parlor seemed to need no light when she
shonc in it. Like q sunbeam gliding over
common places, whatever household matters
busted her she graced. Somcswect art SEEM
I'd to lie in her, superior to mere ncatness,
as high-heartedness excelleth pride. l put
ON salmon flies to catch trout. 1 often fish
cd without any hook at oil. stroye to inn
ago her fair face and form in the clear
waters, by the side of that hapless.similitudc
of mysclf-tho reflex of forlorn youth in
his first love. I did my best at hay-making
to please her. took eternal lessons in the
art Of making Devon cheese. got at last
so Ear Us to kiss her hand. I drew q little,