Butte record., 1856-12-13
| felt a degree OF lonesomeness and

inconsistent NTH the general JOY that
then privailed in the town. Whilst
every body seemed merry and jocund,
| was care-worn and dispirted, | felt
an indescribable presentiment weigh
ing me down, as if some impending
danger were about to burst upon me.
In vain | attempted to ronse myself
from the morseness which perva9eli my
whole being. In vain l called forth
my better judgement to combat the
vague phantom which had laid hold of
me. My sleep was troubled and res
tive, and my dreams were of an alarm
ing character, What was to happen |
ceuld not tell, but my mind instinctivly
wandered to the object of my affection.
| sought to exercise the demon of evil
that possessed me by prayer. 1t af-
forded but momentary relief.
''Great God :" I cried, goaded by
my feelings into phrenzy of agony,
''if there be any calamity about to hap
pen to her l love, avert it. Let it, o
Lord, fall on me, not on her; for l am
strong and can better bear Thy wrath,
than she Thy divine displeasure p
Darkness never ushered in night
so tempestuous as the one previous to
the morning on which Mr.. and Miss
Elton were to return. The storm-ging
reigned in all his fury. The snow des-
cended in thick fakes, and the wind
howlad as if Eblis' demons were chant
ing their internal chorus. Massive
hail-stones pelted pitiless against the
windows, whose sounds added dreari-
nee to the sad music. Oh, it was such
night as checks the sinner in his mad
career, and turns his thoughts to God
The heavinesi of my sonl was in-
creased by the magnitude of the storm.
| felt as if each blast that whistled past
my door, bore tale of sadness with
which | was inseperably connected
1t was long, long, dreary night, but
still it had a morrow.
A few hours sleep helped to greatly
revive me, aud | arose in the morning
feeling much better than | had since
Mary's departure. The storm had
partially subsidized, and l felt the won't
ed vivacity of my temperament return.
Besides, was not my well-beloved TO
come home to-day, and then what Joy
we would experience, when we clasped
each other again. Oh yes, the foolish
weakness must give way in the pres
ence of my idol, whose face for me is
ever sunshine and gladness.
Al the hour when they were expect
ed to return, [ went to Mr.. Elton's and
sat down in his comfortable parlor,
anxiously awaiting their arrival. [
had not been seated long, when one eff
the domestics opened the door and an
nounced that Mr.. Elton's sleigh was
coming down the street.
My features and feelings instantly
frightened up l thought how foolish
had been to allow myself to give way
to unnecessary and nnfounded fears,
and started for the door.
The horses had already stopped in front
of the house, and when | arrived on
the balcony, I saw Mr.. Elton still re.
naming in his position holding the
reins. Mary had not seen mo yet.
Her attention was attracted to some
thing Immediately in front of her. T.
inyoluntarily remained on the piazza a
moment to enjoy the sight of that beau>
tiful young maiden, blooming with fhe
roseate hue of health, and the hale,
staid and venerable visage of her faith
er. He had evidently experienced diff
fculty in restraining the impetuasity Of
his grays, as he was still holding in
the reins, waiting for some one to open
the carriage e-house gate.
I quickly ran and opened it, and
then went towards the sleigh. l was
very much astonished at the indiffer-
ence with which they treated my pres
ence, neither of them deigning to no.
tice me. What had l doue to merit
this GOODNESS Nothing. They could
not have seen me. | went close to
Mary and rendered my epen arms She
needed me not.
"Welcome back to Wilkesbaae, Miss
Elton.n
But received no answer. A hor-
rible thought crossed my mind. No |!
no, 1t cannot be Heaven is too boun-
teous, too merciful to lend ITS piercing
elements to such deed. | approach
still closer. Her eye>ball> are fixed
and CLASSY, her lips livld. He, too, is
motionless Great God They are
frozen to death.
Some two years since, whilst on a
tour through the Atlantic States, l
chanced to visit Pennsylvania, and re-
manned several days at Wllkcsbarre
l there formed the acquaintace of an
cid gentleman who had lived long
time in that place. and enquired if he
knew anything OF the foregoing histo-
ry. He informed me that he had
known all the parties and that the mar
rative was strictly true.
ssHoweuer," said he ssif you will
come with me to yonder churchyard, ]
will show you the graves Of Mr.. Elton
and his daughter.
We entered the "siIent city of the
dead," and my friend pointed out two
very chaste marble slabs. One wal
inscribed thus:
| 'sTo the memory Of Joel K Elton
! who departed this life Dec. 81, 1885