Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-11-27
B. R. COWEN EDITOR & PROPRIETOR]

Sohe PidCes uncovered 0y the snow, and so
warm and sheltered as to show turfy green
ness, and here and there a daisy on the
bosom of the dead.
When rested, ste wrings the water from
! her seddened clothes, smoothes her rumpled
dress and shattered umbrella, and then pre-
pares to 60. But, just as she is rising, the
organ in the choir hard by begins to play,
the ehoristers to sing. 1t is the sublime
music Of the evening service, enriched by
that of the ADVENT of the Christmas Eve,
and, melting her to tears, gives inexpensive
peace to her troubled soul.
In while, she rises, and is about to 90,
when she perceives that she has been OBJ
served BY stranger in the distance, who,
elderly, and dressed somewhat as a clergy
man, seems advancing towards her. Asham-
ed of being recognized in her soddened garb,
sheturDs through an archway in the cloister
and is gone.
In few minutes, she knocks at Canon
Moslsy's door. a per, stripling Of lsckey
answers It. :
Yes: the Canon is at home; but he is
busy-cannot see people of your kind-call
again. He has viewed her soddened gar
ments with great contempt, and is now a.
bout to close the door.
But will you be good enough to say that
il is Miss Margaret Butler; hat she has
come far, and wishes to speak to him!'
No answer is returned to this; and the
door is about to be closed in her face, when
voice behind says: How dare you! it is
Miss Butler, a prebend's daughter And
the lackey, shrinking away, gives place to
an upper servant OF venerable look.
dow do you do, ma'am' he says, respect
fully, as he ushers the lady in. Il hope
Miss Eleanor is not worse than usuai-and
the young lady WE'LL"
"Thank you, Willis; my sister is much
the same. Miss Rose whom | expect to.
morrow. is we'll But can see the Canon!"
"You can, ma'am. But please to step
this way an instant" As he speaks thus,
the Canon's servant leads Margaret into a
little room, and closes the door. "You can
see him." he repeats emphatically; but he
is in dreadful humor about the Captains
coming to England:ssfor l suppose, a'am,
you know that Mr.. Charles has been made
a Captain for his bravery
"Indeed ! didn't" answers Miss Butler.
"My sister and knew he was wounded at
the storming of Sebastopol, and we had
been very anxious about him; as for years
he was so much up and down with US that
we love him almost as a child of our own.
But this is really good news. When does
he arrive?'
"Oh, he is already come, and has been
for several weeks a. Southampton! And
old Squire Wooton has been there, and
made the quarrel up, and SAYS the Captain
shall do just as he likes, if only for the sake
of the brave fine fellow he is. So ] guess.
Miss Butler, this will make things all the
better for some he loves"
Margaret makes no answer, though the
blood which rushes into her pallid and aged |
cheeks tells how the truth strikes home.
Appearing not to heed her agitation,
Wills again asks if she will see the Canon.
To this she tremblingiy replies 10 the af-
fmative: aud she is forthwith conducted to |
his study. He is an obese man, with a
sensual, self-indulgent countenance, and |
looks as if the butchers apron or the black |
smiths anvil were more BETTING to him |
than lettered ease or literary duty. Never
theless he is surrounded by noble collec-
tion of books, and Isits writing at a table
worthy of secretary of state, or the most |
learned of pundits. For minute or so he |
affects not to see her; then he looks up sup
erciliously, going on writing all the time.
We'll, Miss Butler, WE'LL He does not |
even ask her to sit down.
Il have called, Canon Mosley, to ask if |
you will purchase my fathers rare copy of
Sophocles. ! and my sister Eleanor are !
very poor this hristmas time, and it would |
be charity to buy it. You shall have it,
sir, for the two pounds you offered when you
bought the copy Of Euripides.'
Hem, hem! I'm sorry for your poverty, |
but it falls to the lot of many in this vale
Of tears-he-m! But really, at this time,
cannot afford its purchase, These are ex-
pensive as we'll as troublous days; and heavy |
burdens fall on the ministers of the church. |
He-m!-moreover, the price is too high. l |
will give ten shillings-I cannot say more
TO BE CONTINUED.