Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-09

learned, through lneddleSome nelgh00rh0od
that her sister had given her husband, Albert
some advice as to how he might punish his frac
tious wife. This capped the climax in Abby's
mind, and from that time there was no inter
course between the sisters.
One day Albert came home with the pleasing
intelligence that her father would be there the
next morning, and that he intended to settle
down with him and find him home.
Abby was in ecstacies. She loved her father
for he was good man, and was ever kind tc
his children. And he 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 had told her he had
finished his travels, and meant to settle down
with one of his daughters for the remainder o
his days. ..,..
"Oh, of course You'll come and stay with US,
Abby said. We've got the most room and are
best able to keep you"
sAh, my child" returned the old man with 9
smile, II am better able to keep myself. But
can tell you better about that after have beer
here spell"
At the end of week Mr. Gorham Informed
Abby and her husband that he had that day de-
posted in the bank twenty thousand dollars in
their name, and that they may draw it on as
they pleased. He thus wished them to enjoy a
part of their patrimony while he lived. OF
course the reader can imagine how this an
nouncement was received. But the old man
did not stop long to hear their thanks. He had
the same errand to deliver to Lydia and her
husband.
He found Charles Frye and wife occupying
oho,r rx,,bo ha I x-1i in
Charles lap and the child in hers. He told
them what he had done, and it was some time
ere one of them could speak. But Charles was
first to break the silence.
"Mr. Gorham," he said in low, tremulous
voice, 81 accept your generous offer, and the
more readily too, because know il comes from
the hand of love. But, sir, | could not have
asked it-solely upon the ground that am your
son in-law. No, no, for in this noble woman
you have given me treasure such as few men
possess. Oh you cannot know what heaven
on earth my house is while while-my wife"-
But Charles had undertook a work he could
not perform. The words stuck in his throat,
and the speech ended in flood of tears. His
gentle wife had sunk upon his bosom, and the
old man went to the window and pretended to
be looking at something in the street, notwith-
standing it was very dark out there, and that
he had his handkerchief before his eyes all the
while.
Another week passed away, and during the
most of that time, the old man remained with
Abby. After this he began to see the cloudy
disposition manifest itself. He was panied and
shocked. He spoke with her, but she pretend
ed she could not help it. Another week passed
on and during that time Mr.. Gorham spoke with
his child touching her fault; but still she did
not amend.
Saturday evening came and Abby Leeman was
in her chamber. Her Oldest child, girl, came
up and told her that grandpa was going away
that he had got his trunk at the door. Abby
could not believe it, She started for the sitting
room at once. In the hall she stopped, for the
door was ajar and she heard her fathers voice.
1t was in panied tone and it struck her soul at
once.
"No, no, Albert" she heard the old man say
II cannot remain here; but had intended to
make my home with Abby, for she is my Oldest
living but cannot bear it. Nearly every day
my heart is made to ache by the harsh, unkind
words hear spoken to our little ones. Oh, such
good, kind, sweet children and love them so I!
But Abby will not listen, even to me Once !
might have borne it; but now, when my heart
is lonely and sad from 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 told you OF" asked Albert.
"Lydial" uttered Mr.. Gorham in surprise.
"She told me All, you don't know her if
you think so. No, no, she only told me what q
good and faithful wife Abby was. But l can
see, as my presence grows more common, the
restraint wears of, and Abby begins to show
me the face she often keeps for home. / speak
this to you, Albert, because would not lie to
you. But-but-I will see you again. ] will
see Abby again"
Abby listened to him no longer With a
wildly beating, bursting heart, she fastened to
her room, and threw herself upon the bed, and
there she lay for long time. When her hus.
band came up she was sick, and when he asked
her what he could do for her, she said she would
be left to herself. In moment he mstrusted
that she had heard some part of her fathers re-
marks, and left her.
One day little Nellie looked pale and sick and
cried great deal with pain. 1t was the young
est, the baby. Abby was fractions, but she did
not speak as fractious as usual. She had tried
to reform since her father left, week before,
but she had allowed spirit of anger to come
into her soul on account of the course he had
pursued, so her trial did not amount to much.
When Albert came home the child had become
SO sick that the mother was sorry that she had
been so harsh through the day.
Mr.. Leeman went for the doctor, and when
that man came, he said little Nellie had the
scarlet fever. All night the little one suffered
much and its cheeks and brow seemed on fire.
IN thn rnytA do oh l. tntn .
then Abby feared she might die. Oh what q
thought! f.s. lfs5...., ..fl. a~I
Sabbath night came and little Nellie had
grown very white and thin, during the whole
day she had been calm and quiet. Could she
be dying. "Oh God spare my child !" the fran
tic mother prayed upon her knees. ,. ,-.
The clock had just struck nine, when Nellie
raised her eyes, and they looked very strange.
"Mama-good mama" she whispered, "kiss
little Nellie"
The mother pressed her lips upon her childs
brow and kissed her fervently. sl94 fa p
"Mama-you love little Nellie and you love
George and Mary"
The mother could not speak. Just then Albert
entered the room.
"Papa-papa-on kiss for little Nellie. Love
George and Mary and love mama" tit.
When Abby Leeman looked upon her child
the spirit had fed. The little sufferer was free
from all earthly pain. One moment the mother
gazed upon the broken casket, and then she sank
down upon her knees, and wept as though her
heart would break. Her husband knelt down
by her side; lie placed both his hands about her
neck, and with one deep burst of passionate
grief she pilowed her head upon his bosom.
On the next morning, Lydia came and took
care of the body of little Nellie. She dressed it
sweetly, combed its golden hair back, and when
she placed it in the coffin she spread new fra
grant flowers all around it. She hadi done all
this when Abby entered.
The sisters were alone by the dead child
The bereaved mother gazed awhile upon the