Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-03-12
CHAPTER III.

"Mother, mother, come quick, father IS dy
ing-deadP'. A girl of fifteen sprang Wild
into the room. Two men quickly tollowe
bearing their almost lifeess burden. The poo
wife gave one eager, agonized look and tainted
Henrietta arranged the pillows for her father
bathed the white face of tho mother till sh
opened her eyes once more to consciousness
and then with low, hopeful words sought t
calm her fears. The exertion lent strength +
her own mind. Pale, resolute, composed, sh
stood by the side ofthe doctor as he examined
the injured mans wounds.
" A daughters constant care and heartfelt
devotion may save him." whispered the physt
clan to Henrietta, with glance at the mother
She understood it, the wife lacked the forti
tude that had so long slumbered in her Owl
bosom.
Mr.. Bacon. had left home, that morning, wei
and in good spirits, to fell some trees for the
winters fuel, but alas, we know not what day
may bring forth. A largo limb had struck him
TO the earth, and made him cripple for life
bad-lookiIg cash on the top of his head made
even life thing of doubt 1t was very hard
for that strong, powerful man to find himself a
helpless invalid it was hard to wait quietly
the return of health and strength to learn pa
tience. But those days of trial were not with.
out their benefiti they were preparing him to
look upon life in Its proper light, not merely
as one never-ending round of toll, play
Of nerve and sinew, but as period to give
birth and shape to those higher aspirations
which crown ones life with radiance, net
feeting, but with glory that lights the way all
along to the hereafter.
He had gone through the world thus far hay
ing eyes and seeing mott he had been lost in
the mist of selfshness; and now that the star
of love had been suffered to illumine the men
tai darkness that clouded his vision, he saw
and felt what he and his had lost
lie looked upon the careworn features ofhis
wife, upon the soft hair sprinkled with silver,
and then memory led him slowly back TO the
far past to the laughter-loving creature that
first won his boyish affections; to the dreaming
maiden that had taken his name long years be-
fore. Whence had fed the gleeful music OF
her voice Whence the merry smiles that once
dimpled her face with beautyi She had been
loving, dutiful companion, you could read
her whole life in the patient, staid, care-worn
expression that rested ever upoa her brow.
Mr.. Bacon knew, now, that he had not been to
her all that he should, he had loved but not
cherished and his heart smote him. With a
sigh he turned to his daughter. He loved to
gaze into the calm eyes, in whose depths lay
revealed wealth of affection never before
priced. The sick man was beginning to feel
his own wants, and to realize that they, wife
and child, must have theirs. He felt that his
stone Of happiness and yet he knew not how
to begin right. Other troubles soon clouded
his brow. What WAS to become of tham without
inc IaDof OF his wiling hSnds He was oue
day expressing his fears in regard to the future
when ho was interrupted by Henrietta. 90 Faith
er, l overheard Deacon Copeland talking about
the same thing yesterday, and he says you
might be rich man if you would only manage
littlo differently. There was Squire White
that wanted that ten acre lot that Joins his,
that he would give almost any price for it.
And"
"Well, say on, Henrietta"
"Why, ho said he thought it was wrong for
you to keep your land SO, cheating yourself and
other folks too; that fifty acres, well titled,
would bring you twice the value yearly you now
get from the whole farm. He wondered how
person endowed with so large share of COM
mon sense, should so err regarding agricultu-
raj Matters"
" Well, l don't know said Mr. Bacon, look
ing MUCK troubled, &c something must be done;
have you noticed how pale ana sad your moth
er looks lately, fear it its worrim0nt Of mind.
cant bear to see her suffer. If we could only
fix it all up without troubling her. Things
can't be any worse certain, though did hope
to refrain this narrow strip of land l inheri-
ted.n
60 am sorry | said anything about il if it
makes you SO unhappy" replied the daughter,
smoothing back the heavy hair from the faith
er's forehead. "I will ask Deacon Copeland
to come and see you, and perhaps you will feel
better after you talk it over with him. Pm
sure he is a good man, and would not advise
you to do anything to your injury. wish Mr..
Boston would come, he always knew just what
was best"
"Do you love Mr.. Boston, my child 2" said
MIR. Bacon, while an almost painful expression
fitted across his face. A moment after he was
of his seltishness, and he finished the
question with smile. A faint flush warmed
the maiden's cheek, it was so unlike her father
ask.
"Yes, l love him, but not, perhaps, as you
moan; love him, for he is good and noble,
a nd has ever been one OF my best friends.
long to SEQ him again, but shall meet him.
father, as l would brother Karl ifhe had lived.
My heart is here with you and yours"
Thank heaven" said, Mr.. Bacon, and his
daughter was folded to his bosom. &c 1t would
kill me now, Eta dear little Etta-now that
am weak and not myself, to lose you. But r0-
member, my child, should the time ever come
my happiness shall be sacrificed for yours"
A few days after the foregoing conversation
Deacon Copeland might have been seen at the
cottage in earnest conversation with farmer
Bacon. Four weeks from that time Mr.. Bacon
owned just eighty of the two hundred acre
farm. In one corner of the big chest that had
always stood ut the foot Of his bed, was nice
little heap of silver and Jerry Alton, good
looking, smiling fellow Of twenty-one, sat IN
the chimney corner each evening ana read
history and politics to his employer A visible
change was going on about the premises. old
broken down fences were rooted up, ana IeAt,
substantial railings took their places. Jerry
Alton knew a thing or two, and il he was going
to bs oyerseer he would roally like to expert
ment q little.
Mr.. Bacon looked rather frightened at first
He did not like to lose sight OF mis- money, but
finally, Just to please the young man, VINO had
really managed finely thus far, he consented
and after having his cash returned number OF
timcs three-told, he made no further objections
but concluded to let Jerry have his own way,
md very good way it proved to be. Now that
, pair of stout hands were ever athis command,
B tia too began to look about. Would he'll please
,lant a bush here and set q tree therei Grape
vines and roses soon learnt to feel at home,
where briars and herbs had ever before held un-
lisplted sway. At last the old nest itself was
and little stone-colored building
the same spot. The old smile stole
slowly back to Mrs. Bacon's face. She began
to grow fat and to laugh like other people.
Her husband caught something Of the same
feeling About this time Paul Boston returned,
and little Eta as he still continued to call her,
was lavishly supplied with books, pictures and
as much daily instruction as she could well di-
gest.
Reader, let me introduce you once moro to
the family circle. Come this way through the
nicely carpeted hall-gaze ye and remember
the picture, it is one of domestic bliss; snowy
muslin, cheap, but beautiful in its clearness
drapes the windows. In one corner stands {
melodeon and vase of flowers, arranged will
a true artists taste; dark engravings give rich
ness to the wallsi q solar lamp on the centre