The weekly ledger., 1857-05-16

1 Y
not at first approve of his measures. He
had never before thought of leaving the home
of his youth, and above all others. she
whose name was woven in the fbres of his
heart-who was to him mis- life and light
But his father explained to him the circum-
stances in which he was placed, and told him
that should they CO. they might in few
years accumulate money enough, together, to
allow him to return and buy the place back
again, and if he wished, settle upon it with
the one to whom he had given his heart. As
for himself, he never expected to return.
George knew what his father had told him
was not only his wish, but his determination;
and holding his fathers wish as sacred said
naught against it-still preserving pleasing
look although soon to break the strange in
| telligence to the one to whom he confided his
inmost thoughts.
The winter which had passed away had
been very severe, and as we have said before,
the bright spring had dawned, to enliven the
heart Of man. Mr. Morton had began to
prepare for his departure, and George CON
cluded to withhold it no longer from the one
who, above all Others, should know it first
Accordingly he proceeded to her fathers res
idence, and found her seated beneath the old
tree, which had thrown its shade many a year
before above their heads
AS he approached she arose, and welcomed
him with her usual smile and gentle kiss
Seating themselves as we have before de-
scribed, George thus broke the sad inte-
gence:
Mary, l have some news to tell to you
to-day"
"You always have George" she said with
a smile.
"But this you may not like so well, l am
afraid"
Il cannot help liking it, George it it plea
ses you"
George then proceed to relate all that had
passed between his father and himself, and
told her that only very short time could now
elapse before they must part from each other.
She at first seemed sad and unwilling to give
the consent for which he asked. She had
never before thought that George could be
taken from her, or that even life could be en-
dured without his presence. But when he
described to her the golden land of Califor-
MIA, where thousands were daily making their
fortunes and pointing out their prospects of
future happiness, she gave her consent, pro-
vided he would return within two years.
This he readily promised to do, and bidding
her an affectionate adieu, returned home, feel
ing in his heart that he was indeed blessed
with the love Of one who would be the Joy
and comfort of his life.
Time flew quickly by, and the day soon
arrived on which Mr. Morton and family were
to leave the home in which they had lived so
long, and which had become endeared to them
by many ties and incidents which bind fam
lily to their home Their kind neighbor, Ma
ry's father had purchased the place of Mr..
Morton, designing when George returned to
present it to him, as also the hand of his fair
daughter.
will not describe the parting sceno which
took place between the young couple, but
only say that amid their sorrow they looked
forward to the future to repay them for all
they should endure during the separation that
was Just then to take place.
Weeks flew away, and although it was
hard for them to be without each others com
pany yet by degrees they became reconciled
to their lot, looking happily to the joyous
time when they should meet to be separated
only in death.
The company had proceeded along their
weary way for the space of two months with
out anything of note occurring beyond the
common incidents Of travelling, during which
time George wrote letters to Mary whenever
an opportunity presented itself, in which he
related many amusing circumstances. In the
last one, which was written just before leav-
ing the last settlement, in which he spoke of
the i'll health of his mother, and bidding her
a long farewell, committed their fate to the
God Of all destinies.
As said before, they had Travelled a con-
siderable distance on their journey without
anything of importance having transpred,
when one day the horse on which Lucy (the
name of Georges sister, had been accustom-
ed to ride, and on which she was then riding,
suddenly took fight, and before assistance
could be rendered, threw her with great vio-
lence upon the ground, by which she received
a severe injury, from which she never recov-
cred. They immediately encampcd, and Ia
king Lucy into tent rendered her all the
assistance in their power The feeble mother
was constantly by her side, watching every
symptom which told Of hope or despair The
night that followed was one of deep anxiety
to the father, mother and son. In short
time after Lucy received the injury, she be-
came insensibe and lay unconscious Of any
thing that passed around her, even of the un-
suppressed grief of her aged mother. 1t
soon became apparent to all that Lucy could
not long survive, and to none more SO than
George, who watched by her side during the
long night and although his own bosom was
swelling with griet, yet he suppressed its out
ward emotions, and spoke words Of encour-