The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-08-14


'He is better, but gains no strength, and
does not get up. This is the first day he
has seemed sufficiently comfortable for me
to leave him, or l should have been in 10
see Selma before
And have been so bothered with one
thing or other that have not had n min
ute to ride over. What tales that about
Ledbitter having saved his life!'
lie certainly did. My father must have
been dead before the surgeon came, had it
not been for John Ledbtter. lie applied
the necessary remedies, and bled him rs
handily and etfectually rs Mr.. Jef could
have done
'Ah, women are easily frightened care
lesslessly repeated the postmaster. You
came across him, we heard, as you were
running into Layton for Jelr'
1T was so.'
well, then must tell YOU, Anne, that l
contradicted that rcport-for never could
believe that you would have permitted your
self 10 hold speech with such character,
still less TO admit him inside the house,
Not TO save my fatherr returned Anne
81 would use any means, any instrument,
when his life was at stake
You did not know il would save his life
persisted Mr.. Crane. Il am astonished at
your imprudcnce, Anne
MY father was dying for want Of assist
ance,' she retorted, warmly. Il am thank
tul that Providence threw even John Led
bitter in my way to render it,
Providence!' sarcastically calculated the
postmaster.
Providence repeated Anne. "'rhe lon
ger live, the more plainly GO | see the
hand of Providence in every action Of our
hves-even IN those which to lis may ap.
pear significantly trivial at the moment Of
their occurrence
You'll avow yourself fatalist next re-
Joined The postmaster.
How is the babyi inquired Anne, by
way of turning the conversation.
'Oh, its well enough, ii one may Judge
10y its squalling. | never heard a Young
one with such lungs. think Selma must
manage ii badly. You'll find them all up
stairs
Miss Sterling ascended TO an upper room,
Mrs. CRANES bed Gambler, and knocked at
the door. But there was SO great a noise
Inside of children crying, that she found
but little chance of being heard. She open.
ed 1t. Mrs. Crane sat in a rocking chair,
in an invalid wrapper and shwal, her couu
tenance ghas,ly from Illness presenting SO
painful contrast 10 the once blooming
and lovely Selma Cleeyc. that few could
have traced a resemblance. The infant in
her arms was crying, as if in pain; another
little fc!!ow, of two years, stood 10y her
knee raa':ng also from tepmcr,
Anne went NJ AMI kissed her. what
arc yon doing here, with these CRYING chi
drcn, Selma! She said.
oh, dear, do Try and quiv. them, Anne"
Mrs. Crane helplc>sly uttered, bursting
into tears; my very life is harassed out of
me. Since the nurse left, | have had the
trouble OF them all day
Miss Sterling threw her bonnet and
shawl on the bed, and taking a paper of
home made cakes from her pocket, drew
- elder child's eye toward them. The
tears were arrested halfway, the mouth
remained open, and the noise ceased.
These cakes are for good little boys WHO
I don't cry said Anne, seating the young
gentleman on the foor, and putting some
into his pinaforc. Then size took the IN
FAINT from Its mother, and carried il about
Tie room. When soothed TO silence and
sleep, she sat down with it on her knee.
Selma She began, 4 am not going to
tell YOU now that you ale bad manager.
for have told you that often enough when
You wcro well. But how comes it that
you have 40 nurse!
'Asl, Walter replied Ms. Crane, u
look Of resentment escaping with her tone.
Now be calm and speak quietly Of
things. You surely purpose taking a maid
for the children"
Ipurposel' bitterly rctorted Mrs Crane;
1T Is OF very little use what | purpose or
want. Walter squanders the money away
on his own pleasures, and we cannot afford
TO keep two servants. Now you have the
plain truth, Anne
Il have thought resumed Miss Sterling,
after an awkward pause, chat YOU have
sometimes appeared not quite at your ease
rs 10 money. But case like this is one
Of necessity: your health is at stake, and it
IS MI CRANES duty to provide an aidi.
tional servant, if only for few months
Listen Anne resumed Mrs. Crane
speaking with an excitement her cousin in
vain endeayorcd To arrest You thought
married well; that it Walter had been
hvn9 freely, us a young man, and antici
! patcd his inheritance, he was steady then
had good home to bring me to, and
liberal salary. You thought this-my un-
clio and aunt thought it-I thought it.
But what were the facts! Before that child
was bom'-and she pointed to the little
cakc.eater--I found hc was over head and
ears in debt, and they have been augment
ing ever since. His quarters salary, when
paid, only serves to stop the most pressing,
and supply his private expenses, Of which
he appears to have abundance. Such cx.
! peusos are shameful for a married man
'Be calm, Selma
Calm. how can | bo calm! | wish !
had been Q thousand miles OIL, before !
consented 10 marry him! | never did love