Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-01-29

ierVehtIy did ne pray that she would alway
do the same for him. She was o neattidy
Industrious woman, and only her own fami
ly knew Of this dark trait in her character
In the same town with Abby lived he,
only sister, who married young nan nam.
ed Charles Frye. Charles was some eight.
and-twenty, ard Lydia. his vile, Ably
sister, three years younger. This young
man was carpenter 5y trade; strong
healthy. generous, and of superior intelec,
and in eliige nee. His business was good
and though he wore paper cap and apron
ten or twelve hours day. yet he was lay
ing up money. Lydia Frye was unlike her
sister in one respect. That sweet smile
which visitors found upon her face never
faded in her hush ,nd's presence, and the
words which the stranger heard her speak
to her child were never more harsh when
alone with er little one. She loved her
husband and she loved her child; and never
did she knowingly speak a word which
could bring cloud upon & member of her
household.
And between these two sisters there was
an estrangement. Several times Lydia had
ex?ostulated with Abby on account of her
fractious treatment of her children, and
once she had even gone so far as to put her
arm about her sisters child and protect it
from the mothers rage; and il unfortunately
happened tnat on that very evening Mr..
Leeman asked his wife why she could not
be as kind and mild always as her sister
was. Then, added to this, abby .hortly
ate wards learned, through a medleseme
neishbor, that her sister had given her hus-
band, Alber., some a1vice as 10 how he
might best punish his fractions wife. This
claPped the climax in Abby's mind, and
from that time there was No intercourse be-
tween the sisters. --
One day Albert came home with the
pleasing intelli ,ence for his wife, that her
father would b. thsre the next morning .and
that they intended to settle dswn with him
and find home. Abby was in ecstacies.-
She loved her iather, lur he was good man
and had ever been kind to his children -
And be was wealthy, too.
On the following day, Moses Gorham
came. He was an old man now, past sixty,
with white hair. and mild, benevolent look;
and Abby was very happy. Her father told
her he mad finished his travels, and meant to
settle down with one OF his children for the
remainder of his days. a
On, OF course you'll come and stay with
u.s. Abby said. We've got the most room,
AMI are best able to keep you
An, my child returned the cid mar, with
a smile, Il am better able 20 keep myself
But can tel: you better about that after
have been here SPELL
At the end oil a week, Ir. Gorham in
formed Abby and her husband that he had
that day deposited in the bank twenty thou
ssnd dollars, in their name, and that they
might draw it rs they pleased. He thus
wished them to enjoy part, at last of
their patrimony, while ne lived. o. course
the reader can imagine how This announce
ment was received But the old man did
notstuP long to hear their thanks, for he
::ad the same errand to deliver to Lydia and
her hus band.
He found Charles Frye and wife both oc-
cupying one chair when he entered Lydia
hittiiS IN Oudfics idps anu tut Shiio III
hers. He told them what he had done. and
it was some time ere one of them could
speak. But Charles was the first to break
the silence.
MIR Gorham,' he said in low, tremulous
voice, Il accept your generous offer. and the
more readily too, because know it comes
from the hand of love. But, sir, could not
have asked i'll could not have expected i'll
on the ground that am your son-in-luw.
NJ, no, for in this noble woman you have
.iven me treasure such IS few men pos
sess. Oh! you caunJt know whit heaven
on earth my hume is while-walle-my
vile - .r
But Charles had undertaken q work he |
could not perform. The words stuck in his
throat, and the speech ended in food of
tears. His gentle wife sank upon his BOSOM.
and the Old man went to the window and
pretended to he looking At something IN the
street, Notwithstanding it was very dark out
there and that he had his handkerchief be-
lure ills eyes all the while. .. |
Ano' her week passed away, and during
the most uf that TINE the old man remain
ed with Abby. Ai.er his he began to see |
the clouJy disposition manifest itself. He |
was pdlned and shocked. He spoke with
her, but she pretended she could not help it
Another week passed on, and during th,t
time MIR. Gorhsm spoke With his child
touching her iauit; but still she did not
amend. ....-...-. .... .... -..
Saturday evening came, and Abby Lee
ma u was in ner chamber. Her oldest child.
a girl, came up and tod her that grandpa
Was going away-inat he had got his trunk
at The door. Abby Could not believe it.-l
She started ior the sitting room at once. In
the hail she stopped, Tor the door was aar,
and she heard her father, voice. 1t was in
a panied tone, aud " str ck to her soul at
0nce.
No, no, Albert she heard the old man
say, Il cannot remain here; had intended
to make my home with Abby, for she is my
oldest living; bit cannut bear it. Nearly
eve, day my heart is nude to ache by the
harsh, uukind words hear spoken to our
little unes. Oh! such good, kind, sweei
children! and | love them SO! But Abby
will not listen even to me. Once might
have borue it; but now, when my heart is
lonely and sad rom recent bereavement,
cannot bear it. will come TO see you. and
you shall have the old share OF love. And
fear she is not always kind to you
Has Lydia toll you so!' asked Albert.
.Lydiag uttered hlr. Gorham in surprise.
She told mel All, you don't know her, if
You think SO. No, no, she has only told me
whs, good and faithful wire Abby vas
But can see, as my presence grows more
| cumuion, the restraint wears of, and Abby
begins 10 show me the face she often keep
ivr home. speak this to you, Albert, be-
cause | would not lie ,OYou., But-but--II
will see again. win see Ably again!'
Abby listened to him no longer. With a
wildly beaing. bursting heart, she hastened
10 her ro m, aud threw herself upon her
bed, and the,e she lay for long time. =
1 =