The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-05-17
LULU ASHTON.


In beautiful village not many miles from
the Susquehanna was the residence of Judge
Ashton. 1t was handsome place, surround
cd by everything pleasing and attractive to
the eye but, at the time our story commen-
ces, it had been rendered desoate by the de
parture of one who had been a ray of sun.
shine within its walls. Mr.. Ashton had Just
returned from the grave of his beloved wife,
who had died in the full assurance of hapi-
ness hereafter. They had led happy life
of six years, and was blessed with sweet
and beautiful daughter whom they called
Lulu. She was the idol of their hearts, and
they looked forward to many years of happi-
ness But Mrs. Ashton's fondest hopes were
never to be realized. She was attacked by
& severe illness, from which she was soon re-
leased by the messenger of death. Calling
her husband to her bedside, she bade him
n long and loving good bye, and, placing the
hand of Lulu in that of her husband, she
implored him to be faithful to their young
charge, and TO be to her a mother as well as
father. Passing long and fervent kisses on
the head of her beautiful child, and giving
mary words of consolation TO her husband,
her spirit took its fight and left many sad
heart to mourn her loss.
Judge Ashton was indeed desolate. He
entered the parlor, but could not suppress
his feelings, as everything reminded him of
the one that was gone. He soon left the
room TO search for the onlyIie that bound him
To earth-his darling Lulu. He ascended
the stairs that led to the nursery, where he
found his idol asleep in the arms of the nurse
Traces of tears were visible on her cheeks,
and Judge Ashton groaned in anguish, as he
thought Of the gleat loss the child had en-
countered-the loss of mother. Who can
realize the feelings of those who have lost
mother ? None hut those who have expert
Cnced it.
D,ar reader, if you have mother. love
and respect her Never do or say anything
that will wound her feelings. Be to her all
n mother could desire, and you will never
have cause to regret it. But pardon me for
deviating from my story.
Judge Ashton folded Lulu to his breast,
aud promised to be mother to her. He
was very wealthy, and everything that mon
ey could obtain was purchased for his child.
He procured private teachers for her, and
great was the proficiency she made in her
music and studies. Let US leave her, pur-
suing her studies and proving comfort to
her father, while we slip over period of Ten
years.
She has now arrived at the age of sixteen,
and never was there more lovely or beau
tiful girl. Her f,ther had resolved never
again to ms ry, and well had he kept his
promise he made to his wife on her death
bed viz, to devote allhis time to his love
ly daughter; and she had paid him with all
the love and affection her fond heart possess
ed. She had many desirable offers of mar
riage, but rejected them all, as she could
not find, in the hearts of her admirers,
those good qualities which she priced so
highly, and which adorned ! er own noble
character.
Time passed on, and as she grew older
she grew more lovely and dear to to her faith
er. Her chief delight was in making him
happy, and administering to the poor many
comforts which laid in her power to grant
But better days were in store for Lulu
One very cold night she was awakened by
the cry of {" fire v' and had Just time to es-
cape from the room and gain the street, when
the floor fell with a heavy crash. She
anxiously inquired for her father, when she
was conducted to neighboring dwelling,
where he lay, utterly unconscious of all that
passing around him he had been seriously
hurt by rafter falling and crushing his
limbs. Falling on his breast, she called,
loudly
"Father, dear father, speak to me once
more, again smile on me as yesterday, and
Ishall be happy !"
The physician telling her that calmness
was necessary to his recovery, she permitted
him to lead her from the room but she
could not be comfOrted. Her father had
been her idol--all her affections were center
ed upon him and with heartrending tones,
and eyes swimming in tears, she called upon
Sod to spare her father, to permit him again
Q look upon her and call her his darling
zulu.
Her last petition was granted. In few
iours her father returned to consciousness,
nd asked for his daughter. Instantly she
as by his side, after promising the physi-
on that she would be composed. But to