Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-12-30

!
! l, new regard for my father springing
; up in my heart. 81 will remain at home
with you.'
"Thank you, dear chld'' he answer
: ed; his voice suddenly failed with feel
ing. "But l cannot afford to let any
one 60 this season."
"The girls will be terribly disappoint
ed. They have set their hearts on GO
, ing." said 1.
) I'm sorry" he said. "But necessi-
ty knows no law. They will have to
make themselves as contented at home
as possible"
And he left me and went away to his
all-exacting "business."
, When had stated what he had said,
r my sisters were in transport of mingled
anger and disappointment, and gave ut
terance to many unkind remarks against
our good, indulgent father. As for old
er sister, she declared that she would go
in spite of him. and proposed our going
to the store of we'll known merchant,
where we often made purchases, and
buying all We wanted. leaving directions
to have the bill sent in. But l was now
on my fathers side, and resolutely op-
posed all suggestions of disobedience.-
His manner and words had touched me,
causing some scales to drop from my
vision, so that l could see new light,
and perceive things in new aspect.
| We waited past the usual time for my
fathers coming on that day, and then
dined without him. A good deal
TO ouf surprise be came home about four
O'Clock, entering in sn unusual quiet man.
ner, even for him. and going up TO his
own room without speaking to any one
OF the family.
"Was that your father?" We were
sitting together, still discussing Saratoga
and Newport. Il was my mother who
asked the question. We had heard the
street door open and close, and had also
heard footsteps along the passage and up
the stairs.
at was too early for him 10 come
/ home" [ answered.
My mother looked at her watch and
remarked, as shade of concern fitted
over her face
''It certainly was your father. 1 can
not be mistaken in his step. What can
have brought him home so early? 1
hope he is not sick" And she arose
and went hastily from the room. 1 fol-
lowed, for sudden fear came into my
heart.
Edward what ails you? Are you
sick?" heard my mother ask, in an
alarmed voice, as l came into her
room. Ny father had lain himself a.
cross the bed, and his face was concealed
by pillow into which it was buried
deeply.
! edward! Edward! Husband What
is the matter? Are you ill?"
/ "Oh, fatherl dear fatherl cried, ad-
ding my voice 10 my mothers, and burst
ing into tears, l grasped his hand; it
was very cold, and very clammy with
perspiration.
"Send James for the doctor instantly"
said my mother
mo; no don't" Ny father partial
ly aroused himself at this, speaking in
thick. unnatural voice.
"Gol" Ny mother repeated the in
junction, and l few down stairs with the
order for James, our waiter, to go in all
haste for the family physician. When
returned, my mother, her face all wet
with tears, was endeavoring to remove
some of my fathers outer garments
Together we took off his coat, waistcoat
and boots, he making no resistance, and
appearing 10 be in a partial stupor, as if
uuder the influence of some drug We
chafed his hands and feet, and bathed
his face, that wore deathly aspect, and
used all the means in my power to rekin-
die the failing spark of life. But he
seemed to grow less conscious of external
things every moment.
When the physician came he had
many questions to ask as to the cause of
the state in which he found my father
But we could answer none of them. I
watched his face intently, noticing every
varying expression, but saw nothing to
inspire confidence. He seemed both
troubled and perplexed. Almost his
first act was TO bleed copiously.
Twice before the physician came had
my father been injured for at the door,
thing altogether unusual al that hour
of the day. Indeed, his presence in the
house at that hour was something that
had not occurred within a year.
"a gentleman is in the parlor, and
says that he must see Mr.. W." said
the waiter. speaking to me in whisper,
soon after the physicians arrival.
Ibid you Tell him that father was
very ill?'' said l.
Il
"Yes; but he says he must see him,
sick or we'll"
"Go down and tell him that father is
not in condition TO be seen by any
one."
The waiter returned in few moments,
and beckoned me 10 the chamber door.