Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-01-02
SCENE THIRD.


with alluIfng fortune, in which the wording
came near sleeping his soul in crime, and
then frutless ambition died in his bosom.
"My brother said well" he murmured as
a ray of light fell suddenly on the darkness
of his spirit; "Contentment is better than
wealth. Dear brother! Dear old home !!
Sweet Ellen! All, why did leave you !?
Too late too late A cup, full Of the wine
of life, was at my lips; but | turned my
head away, asking for more fiery draught.
How vividly comes before me now that par
ting scene! am looking into my brothers
face. feel the tight grasp of his hand
His voice is in my ears Dear brother
And his parting words, hear them now,
even more earnestly than when they were
first spoken "Should fortune cheat you with
the apples of Sodom, returned to your home
again. Its doors will ever be open, and its
hearth. fires bright for you as Of old" All
do the fires still burng How many years
have passed since went forth And Ellen !!
But dare not think Of her. 1t too late
too late Even it she be living and un.
changed in her affections, can never lay
this false heart at her feet. Her look OF
love would smite me as with whip Of scor-
-pions.
The step of time had fallen SO lightly on
the Aowery path Of those to whom content
ment was higher boon than wealth, that
few footmarks we're visible. Yet there had
been changes in the old homestead AS the
smiling years went by, each, as it looked in
at the cottage window, saw the home circle
| widening, or new beauty crowning the an.
gel brows of happy children. No thorn in
bis side had Roberts gentle wife proved
AS time passed on closer and closer was
she drawn to his bosom; yet never point
had pierced him. Their home was type
of paradise.
1t is near the close of summer day
The evening meal is spread, and they are
about gathering around the table, when a
stranger enters. His words are vague and
brief, his manner singular, his air slightly
mysterious. Furtive, yet eager glances &c
from face to face.
care these all your childrens" he asks
with mingled surprise and admiration.
"All ours. And, thank God! the little
flock is yet unbroken."
The stranger averts his face. He is disturb
ed BY emotions that it is impossible to con
.ceal. -. 4as<1
Contentment is better than wealth" he
murmurs. ooh! that had earlier compre
1'hended this TRUTH,
The words were not meant for others
but the utterance has been too distinct
They have reached the ears Of Robert, who
instantly recognizes in the stranger his long
wandering brother.
William
The stranger is on his feet. A momen
or two the brothers stand gazing at eact
: other. then tenderly embrace.
Williamp'
How the. stranger starts and trembles
He had not seen, in the quiet maiden, NOV
ing among and ministering to the children
so unobstrusively, the one he had parte'
from years before-the one to whom he hat
been so false. But her voice has startled
his ears with the familiar tones Of yesterday
Elem Here is an instant oblivion
all the intervening years. He has leapet
back over the gloomy gulf; and stands nov
as he stood ere ambition and lust of golt
lurcd him away from the side Of his first ant
J only love. 1t s-.well both for him and tn
, faithful maiden that he can so forget tn
r past as to take her in his arms and clasI
her almost wildly to his heart. But for this
) conscious shame would have betrayed hi
deeply regented perfdy.