Oroville daily Butte record., 1856-12-11
Otuuille Bully Dutte Retprh.
MARY ELTON.
A TALE OF wILKsBARRE.

the future held In store i0r us. lime
would but add fresh fuel to the flame
that burned within, and wheu my task
was done, life evermore would be but
one continued exstacy of love.
The fervency Of my hopes commu-
nicated itself to Mary, and lighted up
her visage with the rapture that ami
mated mine. Ere we parted long
and warm embrace scaled our plIghted
troths. Heaven and earth had never
before been witness to pact more
pure, TO a betrothal more hallowed.
The application and energy which |
bestowed thenccforth on my vocation,
had the effect of increasing my patron
age. No labor seemed too great, no
research too tedious, and no study too
arduous, to ensurs the success of the
causes of my clients. They thonght,
poor souls, in telling out my fees, that
their dross was the incentive that urged
me to the herculean exertion which |
made on their behalf, and that it was
the touchstone that caused my forensic
oratory to flow. No! my client was
the father of Mary, and the fee herself !!
Never had lawyer a more valuable re-
tainer, and vever did one more jealous
" strive for the success of his client.
One year had passed since my inter-
view with Mr.. Elton. | was PLEASED
to hear through mutual friends, that
he expressed great satisfaction at my
growing reputation, and frequently pas
sed high encomiums upon my cxer-
tions. When l could afford respite
from my labors, my time was always
spent in the company Of Mary Elton.
We both seemed but to live for the
hour when her father would declare
the conditions fulfilled, and endorse
our union. Oh, how slowly the wheels
of time seemed to move. Hours linger-
ed into days. and days to years pro
longed, as we would think Of the time
yet to pass ere the goal Of our hopes
should be attained. Rut patience was
virtue, and we resolved to add it to
our code of morals.
Christmas was at hand. The winter
so far, had been intensely severe, and
the whole country was covered with
thick mantle Of snow. The tinkling OF
sleigh bells had been heard without in
terruption for three weeks in the town
of Wilkesbarre, and now that the hoIi-
DAYS were coming, the deulzens of the
town regaled themselves with sleigh
ride, The sharp, biting atmosphere
which prevailed, induced exc. tion to
keep the blood in circulation, and the
Young folks enjoyed themselves in the
healthiul exercise Of skating and snow
balling, while the old ones, mutled in
furs to the chin. rode to the sound of
merry bells from one friends house to
another's.
Mr.. Elton had proposed to his
daughter to pass the holidays at his
brothers. farm, which was situated
some thirty miles from Wilkbarrc.
They were to 90 in Mr.. Elton's sleigh,
drawn by his magnificent span of grays
the finest horses in the county, and
were to return the morning previous
to New Years, so as to be in season
to receive the calls Of their friends on
that gala day.
| felt a degree OF lonesomeness and
detection after Mary's departure, very
Inconsistent Mith the general JOY that
then privailed in the town. Whist
every body seemed merry and jocund,
l was care-worn and dispirlted' L felt
an indescribable preseutiment 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 pervaded my
whole being. In vain L called lorth
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
I sought to exercise the demon of evil
that possessed me by prayer. 1t al
forded but momentary relief.
"Great God !" I cried, goaded by
my feelings into a phrenzy of agony,
ss;f tba,a ha .nv calamity about 10 hap