Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-08-21

1t was about a week before the expi- |
ration of the prescribed three months that
I was one afternoon surprised at receiv-
ing a message from Fred's landlady.-I
She wished me to come Immediately to
the house, and some very alarming hints
were thrown out concerning the condition
of my friend. l lost no time in obeying
the summons. 1t twasa stormy day, and
I walked fast through a pouring rain to
the house. l was md at the door by
Mrs. Skewry.
"Oh, Sir !'' she exclaimed, Z" am so
glad you have come p
What's the trouble p Ienquired.
"That poor young manr' said she,
with heart-full emotion. "Some letters
came to him to day that hav, almost Kill
led him."
Isaw it all at once. 1t was IS I feared.
Where is he ?" I asked.
"He is in his room. carried the let
tiers up to him, and l never saw a face
brighten up and look so happy IS his did
I hurried away, for l knew he did not
want me to see him read them. l was
feeling so glad for him for do think
he is such beautiful young man But
it wasn't long before my husband came,
and wanted to know what was the matter
in Colton's room. We went up and lis
tened and l declare I never heard such
groans l sartin' thought he was dying
and made my husband open the door
There he lay, with his face down on the
floor, with one Of the letters in his hanC
and the other open on the table. W.
tried to do something for him, but hc
wouldn't let US. He drove US away, ant
so 1 sent for you.''
Filled with grief and alarm, hurrie,
to Colton's chamber. All was still.
opened the door carefully. Fred ha
got up from the floor and was lying upoI
the bed. He had wrapped blanket S
closely about him, from head to fo oot, tba
: no part of him was visible. He lay a
motionless as log. i thought he Nigh
be dead, or at least that he had swoonet
DuL On 'urawIIIS near perctIVeu tnat Il
breathed-a short gasping breath, lik
a person at the extreme Of suffering an
exhaustion. I did not speak, but place
my arms about him, as / knelt beside th
bed. Upon that felt him struggle
heard him gasp then tearing the cOvel
ing from his head, he burst forth in groar
of intolerable anguish.
"Poor Fred Poor, dear Fred !'' W;
j all 1 could say.
+ "Oh, thank youl thank you thar
youp' he articulated, ringing my han
1" But am not worth this-dvn't let II
give you pain
: "Bless you, my boy" said 1; if
o can take any portion of your pain
J. could ask no greater happiness !''
d "You speak to me as if l were child
he responded, trembling in every nery
,e & And, indeed, what am / but child ?
% You are man !'' l cried-"a stro
/ truthful, noble man. But grief finds
ii all children. Oh, Fred it was almC
inevitable that this thing should be +; |
ID it must not overcome you. The ST
nj rises above all. The soul is wise a
,e calm
] "Oh !! such perfdy such perfdy
he moaned. 4" How could she do it |
it was not herselfp' he cried out, ferc'
starting up. "They are robbing me
ut her! / will go-I will tear them
ce pieces-I will have my own!"
he / rather encouraged this dispositi
an Wrath ard resolve are a stimulous agai
5 despair. But suddenly he sank b
'us again, with a cry Of unutterable hes
De- sickness.
om Oh treachery !" he said "'
fe- fool ! fool fool / have been oy
bt- reached. l gave up to them, for l tn
lad ed them they have put out my e.
1d- and bound me hand and foot. There
au- never such atrocious wrong Read tia
bic He thrust letter into my hand.
i'd remember its contents, they were nj
IF ly as follows
ere "MR. CoLToN,-By the same I
sells that brings you this you will receiv
ell note from Julia. The poor child has
,ju- been cropping in the dark, but she
ons her duty at last. She wonders now
she could ever be in doubt with regar
ug- the course she ought to pursue. She Il
|, in upon it all as strange, strange deius
me, But kind Providence has watched (
red. her, and preserved her. 1t will no d
ind be disappointment to you; but LEI
So hope that you viii bear it like a q
tian. Do not follow her or seek an