Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-12-16

depths of his easy chair, and decided that it
was useless to take any notice of such timid,
frightened thing. Perhaps could the worthy
Doctor have read that young heart, ard known
the bold plans that young brain was forming,
he would have had reason to change his quick
ly formed opinion.
The solemn silence of the room was broken
by the fussy little lawyer, who having broken
the seals of the oaken cabinet, and taken the
important viii therefrom, adjusted bis specta-
cles and began to read. To Sarah, it was like
a message from the dead. The mind that had
framed, and the hand that bad executed, were
gone-whither2 She listened like one in a
dream to the enumeration of the houses, bank
stock, etc., owned by the deceased, till the
sound of her own name made her start and
look up suddenly. NO-she was not mistaken.
The lawyer was reading in his dry, business
like voice
And | give and devise to my dear niece,
Sarah Stanton Percival, the SUN of five hun
dred dollars, as slight token of the interest
/ have always felt in my dead brothers child.
That was all she heard. SOme dry business
technicalites followed with which she had no
concern. But leaning her head upon her hands,
she fed her hungry soul upon those few words
of affection-the first she had heard addressed
to her since her father died.
She was reused from her pleasant reyerie by
the cold voice of her aunt, who stood beside
her. And looking pshe saw that the reading
of the win was over, and that the party had
broken up and were standing near the fire.
well, Miss Percival, l congratulate you
with all my heart, said the widow, tapping
her lightly upon the shoulder with her plumed
fan. Through the kindness of your uncle,
you will be spared that disagreesble appren-
ticeship we were speaking of. trust you are
sincerely grateful
4 trust | am,' said Sarah, in low voice
But she could not speak the thanks she felt 70
the portly figure in black, who could well af-
ford to spare the paltry sum OF five hundred
dollars from her thousands, and who felt rath-
er glad in her heart that the bequest had been
made, since it would sound so well when Dr.
Warton and the lawyer spoke of it, as they
would be sure to do. So the girl was silent,
and her aunt called her mentally extremely IN
grateful 1t seemed to be tated that these two
women should never understand each other,
even in the slightest action Of their lives.
DIR. Warton now hustled up and took both
of Sarah's hands in his warm grasp.
81 give you joy, young lady, | give you joy!"
he exclaimed. why, you are quite al heir
ess, my dear And what with the fortune and
the pretty face, our young men will have to
look out for their hearts"
81 am afraid you will make Miss Percival
vain, doctor" said her aunt, with sneer.
Sarah, my dear, you must not let his fattery
turn your head"
MADAM, assure you l am no fatterer,"
said the doctor, with his hand upon his heart;
"but when beauty, talent and grace are before
l. a.. . 4. 1 l.
the truth"
His sweeping bow included the three ladies
as he spoke. Mrs. Percival colOred and smiled
she was not quite proof against delicately-
worded compliment, even then. That simple
speech secured the worthy doctor many a
pleasant dinner and little lady's gift. Taking
his arm, she swept out from the library to the
parlor, followed by her daughter. And the
young "heiress" was left to her own refec
lions.
CHAPTER II.
Carriage, nam? Cab main? Ire cabf St
Methodist Astoh Metropolitan! International!
Western Hotelp
Such was the welcome that awaited Sarah Perc-
val, as che descended from the cars, on the even
ing of her arrival in New York. Bewildered with
the noise aud confusion, she shrank timidly be-
hind burly old gentleman, who had been one OF
her fellow passengers, and waited ill the tumut
should subside. Her face burned with embarrass-
ment and distress, aud in her whole attitude so
much Of uncertainty was displayed, that a chorus
of hackmen surrounded her aud thrust their tickets
in her face. In her agony she would have taken
them all, had it not been for a tall, fine looking
man, with the gallant open aspect of a sailor, who
bad been attracted by tue evident trepidation OF
the young girl, and the selfish rudeness OF those
who surrounded her.
He came and stood beside her and asked,
Can | be of any assistance to yon, young lady.
am perfect stranger 20 you, know, but at the
same time, il you will trust me, l shall be very
happy to help you
Now. Sarah had read and heard much of the dau-
ger always that awaits too coRhdng heart, and
yet with her first glance into that kind, frank face
all her lessons forgotten, and she moved
err to him instinctvely, like q frightened child
about to claim protection.
If it is not too much trouble, shall be very glad
if you will assist me in getting a carriage
with the greatest pleasure, WAS the reply. IS
there any particular hotel you wish TO go tol
Sarah produced her little card, bushing for the
humble direction she did 80. A carriage was
soon obtained, her baggage was strapEEd upon the
boot, and Sarah's kind friend whom sd supposed,
from his dress to be sailor) turned to 60
4 must bid you good night, believe, he said,
looking little serious. 4 trust you win reach
your home safely
He held out bis hand Without the least hesis
taion Sarah laid hers in IT, and felt little hearts
ache as |, released from the firm clasp. Such
meetings and partings often thrill Us with a sense
Of pain for which we cannot account, and the
faces that have beamed upon US for moment 10
Kindness and then vanished-never on earth TO re-
turn again are sometimes remembered long after
more familiar ones have faded from the tablets Of
memory. And thus Il was that the dreams Of SA
ran PerciVA on the frst night Of her city life we're
haunted by vision Of a graceful figure with curls
of fair hair, clugng the mast OF a sinking ves-
sel-and thus Iaat Ross Neville, captain OF the
good chip "Show Squau," wondered little now
Snd then, as be walked towards his hotel, il ever
in HE life he should meet the young girl be had be-
frieuded, again.
The home, under the shelter OF whose roof these
6rst dreams Of Sarah PerciVal we're dreamed, was q
humble one enough. Il was = small wooden tene-
meut, on q narrow and dirty street, owned and in
habited by clearly Old Scotch woman, who had
been a servant in the house OF NJ. Richard PEREZ
walls father in her younger days. She vas greatly
reoiced at.the young girls unexpected advent aud
hustled around 10 make her guest comfortable, talk
ing all the while Of Mr.. Richard and NJ. Frank, IN
way that brought tears 10 her listeners eyes, /.
seemed 10 strange TO hear this woman, totserisg
the verge Of the grave relating little anecdotes Of
Tue boyish DAYS Of !he two brothers who had gone
before her; and SAFah's heart warmed towards her
as she toli nov brave aud generous. ahd impulsiEe
her own father Was 10 bis youth.
Mr.. Richard Vas more quiet and cautious. and
Mr. Frank forever in disgrase.' said the OLD lady,
warmly; 'bas for al thst he had smile that would
DO your heart good, AID way with him that vOsld
eharni bird from tree
sNrs Brycs, do leok IKE ny tsshers asked
Sarah, suddenls.
Ths gsoi woman turned and looked At Der quiet.
y with her clear. gray eyes
ma, ma = she said. -haeking her head and flavor
ing her speech With . ssroug Feminiscsaes Of her
native dialect. ye have blink Of yoar eye. liks
kim. bus yoar face 10 Ike youF milhsrs, my baiFn
Did yoa kaoE NY mother asked Sarah; eager.
ly. -.,ef I'll. go