Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-12-12
STATE Observation-Disclosures IOWA DECEMBER H. 1856
SARAH PERClvAL;
TNE DRIDE or T1sE "HUUsgO o. GOLD"
ny MRS. CAROLINE INGRAuAN.

II wss cold, raw, November day. Tho
air wns piercing, and furry Of snow,
that had fallen sinoo morning, gave an
aspect OF inexrrossiblo drcariness 10 The
mountain scenery around tho little will
age OF Montcspan, which boosted only
one "great house" This was tho resi-
doncc Of . retired city Merchant. whose
lines had 'fallon in pleasant places aud
who had made his homo . perfect dream
OF beauty. The inhabitants Of tho will
age looked up With the greatest respect
to esquire percivai' and his family.
His carriage, his horses, his grca, din
nor parties, ct which his elegantly dress
cd and hammered wife greeted her city
gucsts with tho dignity Of o queen his
house and grounds--nay, even tho dia-
mond ring and pin no wore, were objects
Of wonder Of curiosity, to tho simple
folk who. dccmcd Themselves highly hon
orcd by his sojourn among them.
As for Kate Pcrcival-th the only child
and rightful heircss Of all this splendor,
who had passed most Of her life in New
York-to dance we'll, Sing we'll, dress
vol, and coquet with grace, were oil
tho things that she cared for.
While Kate had been absen,ed from
her parents, another had been growing
up in the house though not ns iaugh-
daughter OF n younger brother OF the
family, who, dying poor and unfortu-
nate, left his only child to tho caro- OF
his brother Richard, with the earnest
prayer that she might never miss the
lovo and tenderness che had always
known. That prayer was heard, hut nev-
or answered. For Richard Pcrcival, n
cold, hard, ambitious man, could not be
expected to pct and fondle the lonely
child, and his stately vito looked ny on
her as an intcrlopcr who might one day
interfere with the plan and projects Of
her darling Kate.
OF tho mother OF this child nothing
was known. Mr.. Richard Percival only
shook qis head when any one mado in
auirics about her, and inuttcfei some
thing about "poor Frank" and nm I'M
fortunate marriage Rumor had pro
nounced the lady beautiful and fnscina-
ting, and Mrs. Porcival trcmbled in her
soul, when she looked ut tho healthful
animated face OF tho lttlo Sarah, and
saw in her brown hair and large dark
eyes, a promise Of that lovclincss that
won tho fathers heart.
Tho high spirited Sarah chafed in
wardy ut many n look Of dislike ani,
many q taunt from the vito Of her hcne-
factor, but The world was wide II cruel
and while her uncle was tacitly kind to
her she dreaded to begin the battle, from
which, she felt, even then, she could new
or come ont quito unscathcd. Bat while
sho waited, the inexorable hand Of Fate
was stretched forth to lead her out into
that world from which she shrank, and
Destiny accomplished that which she
herself might never have had the cour.
age to undertake.
In the very prime OF life strong, health
full and hearty, her uncle, tho head OF
the family, was suddenly cut down. OF
the gallant host, the indulGcnt husband,
the dashlng man Of business, nothing re-
manned but q cold, motionless body, with
shrouded face, lying quietly in ono Of
tho great chambers of the grca. house
Tho servante passed that door with sus.
pended breath ani quickcned treal-the
widow in the solitude Of her own room
wondered If her mourning would become
her, and il the will If the dead man had
lett her mistress of the whole fortune
the daughter wandered ii,consolately IN
AMI down the handsome parlors, wishing
hersclf back in the gay boar ling school
she hal left; and in the whole house, Of
oil who had ilourishca on his bounty and
shared tho shelter of his roof. only one
real mourner remained, and that was the
daughter Of his daal Lrothe,. ~ wnOm
10 life he had never given carcss or a
word Of psaiso
A cold, measured voice pronounced
Sarsh's name, and looking IN with a
sudden start, she saw her aunt standing
beside her gazing down upon tho corpse
with collected air.
"What are You doing here Miss Per
cival? z" she askod, in freezing voice.
"W by arc you not IN your room? II il
cold here to" she stopped short, CLAN
ced Mt The corpse AMI quivcred Slightly.
g! did not mind tho cold only want
cd TO see him once more" said Sarah,
dashlug away tho tears, and rising to
60.
"You will pardon me, Miss Perciva.,
il find no occasion for this violent dis.
PLAY OF grief on your part"
"Madam!"
sob! don't look at me 10 that wav,'
said the lady, drawing herself up in a
stately manner. Il hate hypocrisy, Miss
Pcrcival hate all crocodile tcars.' II
sho did not exactly add the words. and
! hatc you," her looks showed it, and
Sarah felt it 90.
"Nadam," she said, Indignantly. II
ut loss to know what you mean. l have
nothing to gain or lose by my tears for
my unclo's DEATH"
81 an aware o: that but did you know
that you might be- was the sarcastic
reply. "YOurs unclcs fortune is OF
course, oil willed 10 his rightful heirs"
Sarah looked from her arrogant face
TO that of tho corpse before she dared to
venture a reply. What would tho dead
man have said to conversation like
this, held over him before he was laid
in his coffin?
you have wrongcd mo- che said, with
dignity-''yet I cannot feel angry here.
The presence Of tho dead 10 surely
enough to soothe the living"
Mrs. Pe.cival cast glance Of fear TO-
ward the unc ,nscious body OF her hus-
band, and taking Sarah by the arm, led
her to her dressing room and shu, the
door.
Snow, Sarah il you please, NO will
cit down hero and talk Of your futare,"
said tho selfish old iccberg, in O cold and
nnfccling voice. She sestod herself on
tho sofa and mot;onod tho girl to her
side. A silence Of somc moments ensu-
ed. At last Sarah looking up from tic
floor, found those dark eyes bent upon
her with deep scrutiny. as IL they
would reed her very thoughts.
"Well," ssid the lady, leaning towards
her, with an indulgcnt smile.
81 cannas talk Of anything am igno.
rant off, vas the ambiguous reply. my
future 10 q mystery to me-"
"lf you prefes staying here, Of course