The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-04-22


II upon the tip OF my finger.
To the eyes of others, it was but a small
plain clrclet. suggesting thoughts. perhaps
by its elegance, Of the beautiful white hant
that was to wear it. But to me how mucl
was embodied there A loving smile on a
beautiful face--low words Of Welcomes
happy home, and a sweet smiling face-a
group of merry children to climb my knee
little ring of gold! = - '''-
"raIl, bearded and sun hronzed, knocked
at the door Of my fathers house. The lights
in the parlor windows, and the hum Of con.
yersation and cheerful laughter. showed me
that company were assembled there.
hoped my sister Lizzie would come to the
door, and that might greet my family when
no strange eye was looking curiously on.
But no-a servant answered my summons.
They were too merry in the parlor to heed
the long absent one when he asked for ad-
mittance. A bitter thought like this was
passing through my mind, as | heard the
sounds from the parlor, and saw the half.
suppressed smile upon the servants face.
hesitated for moment before | made
And while stood silent, strange appari,
tiOn grew up before me. From behind the
servant pcered out small golden head-a
tiny, delicate form followed, and a sweet.
childish face, with blue eyes, was lifted up
TO mine--so like to those Of one who had
frightened my boyhood, tina: | started back
with sudden feeling Of pain.
What is your name. my little one :" /
asked, while the wondering servant held the
door.
She lifted up her hand as il to shade her
eyes. | had seen that very attitude in an
other, in my boyhood. many, and many a
time,) and answered, in sweet, bird like
voice
"Mary Moore"
"And what else !" asked, quickly.
Mary Moore Chester" lisped the child.
My heart sank down like lead. Here was
an end 20 all the bright dreams and hopes Of
my youth and manhood! Frank Chester,
my boyish rival, who had often tried, and
tried in vain, TO usurp my place beside the
girl, had succeeded at last and had won her
emu aiE0a, me! This was his child-his
! sank, Bbuy -. 80,
and, hiding my face in my hands. | leaned
against the door, while my heart wept tears
Of blood. The little one gaZed at me,
grieyed and amazed, and put up her pretty
lip as If about to cry, while the perplexed
servant stepped to the door and called my
sister out to see who it could be that con-
Quoted himself SO strangely.
heard light step, aud pleasant voice
saying
I" Did you wish to see my father, sirs'
looked up. There stood pretty, sweet
faced maiden of twenty, not much changed
from the dear little sister had loved so well.
looked at her moment, and then, stlling
the tumult of nv heart BY mighty effort, |
opened my arms aud said
Lizzie. don't you know me:'
Harry. Oh, my brother, Harry" she
cried, aud threw herself upon my breast. She
wept as if her heart would break.
could not weep. drew her gently into
the lighted parlor, and there stood with heI
before them all.
There was rush and cry Of joy, and ther
my father and neither sprang towards me
and welcomed me home with heartfelt tears
Oh, strange and passing sweet Is such
greeting 10 tile way.worn wanderer! Ant
as held my dear old mother to my heart
aud grasped nv fathers hand while Blzzi'
still clung beside me, | felt that a u was no
yet lust, and, though another had seeure'
lile's choicest blessing, many joy Remained
for me in this dear sanctuary oi hame
There were four other inmates Of the room
who hal arisen on my sudden entrance. On
!, was the blue-eyed child whom ! had alread
seen, and who now stood beside Frank Ihes
, ter, clinging 10 his hand. Near by stou
, Lizzie Moore, Mary's eldest sister and, 10
: distant corner, to which she had hurrledl
> rereated when my name was spoken, stou
G talI and slender figure, hall hidden by u
G heavy window.eurtains that fell TO tie Hoo
/, when the hrst rapturOls greeting W.
over, Lizzie led me forward with tlmi
c grace, and Frank Chester grasped my hand
r Welcome home, my boy" he said, vii
/, the loud, cheerful tones | reNcmhered
: well. "You have changed So that shonl
never have known you [; but no matter 4
z that-your heart is in the right place,
| know"
: How can you say he is changed !" sa
d my mother, gently. {" 10 be sure he Ionl
older, and grayer, aud murc like man ths
e when lie went away. but bis eyes and sr'i
!, are the same a. ever. Il is that heavy bea
It that changes him. lie is my boy STILL
" Gay, mother" answered, sadly, 81 4
II your boy stiil.' -
Is Heaven help me! At that moment fr
like boy, aud il would have beena bless
!. relief to have wept upon her bosom, as b.
j. done 10 my infancy. But kept down 4
y beating Ol my heart and the trcmur 81 .
i. Iip. aud answered quietly, as ! looked II !
= full. handsome lace:
In "You have changed. TOO. Frank, but
think fbr the better"
% "oh, yes; thank you fOr that compliment
D. he answered with hearty laugh. >
in vile tells me grow handsOncr every da.
His wife! Could hear that name a
ID keen silence stilli