Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-24


agent.
Oh, Ellen, my dear, dear sister = she ex-
claimed, throwing herself on the bed; speak
to me, Ellen; speak TO your poor, broken
hearted Fanny. She will never speak again,
said she, suddenly raising herself from the
bed. And l, where was I, when you were
dying, poor suffering one! Finishing that
dress for that hard-hearted girl, and you, no
doubt, calling for me. Oh, why did mind
thema What did it matter if should offend
them all! But | was a coward, and now
am punished = she added bitterly, and once
again she dropped her head on the bed, and
sobbed convulsively
All were affected by her distress. The
apothecary and The agent were accustomed to
scenes of distress; but the young man, fresh
from the country, was almost as much agitat-
ed as Fanny herself.
Has she no relatives or friends, he in
quired anxiously of the agent.
The man shook his head They are or
phan girls, and have not long lived in this city
| have never known them TO have any compa-
ny on Sunday or othey holidays, and they new
er went anywhere except to church..
Poor thing!' said the young man, com
passionately. He paused for a moment, and
then said; Ill go to my good cousin Brown.
She is bakers wife, and lives not far off.
She is a right good soul, and will do all she
can for this unhappy creature
He left the room, and when he returned
with his cousin, found Fanny alone. Mrs.
Brown went up TO the poor girl, and taking
one of her hands. said, be comforted, my dear
child. Your sister has, trust, gone 10 a BET
ter world. Her sorrows are over, and she is
an angel rejoicing now while we are weeping
for her.
Fanny raised her eyes, and seeing the sym
pathetic tears that rolled down the good wom-
ans cheeks. threw herself into her arms, and
buried her face in her BOSOM
There sob away, my poor child. 1t will
relieve your broken heart,' said Mrs. Brown.
Fanny raised her head after a few minutes,
and wiped her eyes. you are very good TO
me, ma am, she said.
Never mind my being good, my dear, but
just tell us, my cousin, the carpenter, John
Grey and myself, what we can do for YOU
Fanny tried 10 speak, but her quivering lips
uttered no sonnd.
Well, sit down, my dear see your head
is TOO distracted to tell what you do want
She went 10 the door, and held whispered
conversation with the carpenter, who then dis
appeared. She then put the room in order,
and performed the last sad rites for poor Ellen.
When all was done, observing that the glar-
ing sun struck full on Fanny's acllng eyes,
she took off her dark apron, and hung it up
before the window. Fanny silently took hel
seat by the bed. Mrs. Brown left the ROOM
and returned, after a short interval, with a
bowl of hot tea and roll of bread.
There, my dear, try and swallow little
of this she said. Poor Fanny tried to obey
her, but she could not swallow. The kind
woman placed it beside her, and said well,
perhaps, you will taste this by and by. And
now. good bye, my child must go home
for have family to attend TO. l will see
you again tonight
A coffin was procured the next day, ant
poor Ellen, followed by Fanny, Mrs. Brown
and the carpenter, was consigned TO the grave
The good woman now urged Fanny to return
home with her; but the broken hearted CIR
clung to- the room in which her sister had
breaihed her last.
Five years have rolled away, and once agar
behold our friend Fanny. She is seated in {
rocking-chair in a small but neat and comforta
Bile room A beautiful infant is growing ant
laughing in his cradle, the tea-table is set, anC
the tea-kettle gives forth its cheerful hum
Fanny is knitting, but now and then glances
toward the window.
q wonder what makes your father so late I
she said, addressing the infant.
The boy tossed its little chubby arms, as j
in answer to her question. She bent over hin
and kissed him. AT that moment the from
door opened, and our carpenter, John Grey
walked into the room. He caught the chilt
from its cradle, and tossed him up in the ali
until the boy screamed with delight. He theI
threw him back in his cradle, and turned Il
his wife. A grave expression stole over hi
face, as he said Fanny, there is poo
woman and her daughter in great distress no
far off, The old woman is dying, and th'
daughter, sickly, miserable-looking creature
seems half distracted An accident causet
me TO become acquainted with their situation
| and as it was case where | could not do an,
1 good alone, hastened home for you.'
Let us have our supper at once, John, AM
l will go along with you; we can leave gu
child with our kind neighbor next door,
Supper over, our worthy carpenter and hi
wife FASTENED to the relief of the miserabl
pair, John carrying basket containing som
articles for their relief Wretched indeed wa
the scene that presented itself to their eyes
On low, dirty straw bed, lay the body of til
| mother, and beside her, with her hairhangin!
in matted masses about her face, was tn
| danohter The uood connle raised her an