The weekly ledger., 1857-05-16

SenSeleSS upon Jne nOOr. men ne recovered
he was lying upon his bed surrounded by
friends with whom he had become acquainted
and who lived near his own cabin. Seeing
the door closed at the time when it was usu-
ally open, one of them proposed to call, and
finding the door fastened, thought all could
not be right They with considerable exer-
tion opened the door, and beheld what we
have described.
George was placed in the bed and every
necessary assistance rendered him. When he
became conscious of his situation, he eagerly
inquired if it was not all a dream. Would
that it were; but no, reality is often stranger
than dream
George now thought for the first time of
his situation In far-olf land, with no fa-
ther, mother, or sister, in whom to confde his
thoughts; none to speak words Of comfort. to
soothe his aching heart While his father
lived, he spoke words to soothe his grief, and
in so doing had appeased his own. Now he
had none to encourage and none to receive
encouragement from
Again the day which followed was one of
deep sorrow to George, as had been the days
on which his sister aud mother we're buried.
Now it was threefold, for in burying the fa-
ther, he buried the last but himself of that
once happy family. As he looked upon his
fathers face, that once beamed with smiles of
encouragement, to which he had looked for
counsel in the bright summer of his youth,
now pale and cold in death, his heart throb-
bed with emotions which can only be felt and
not described No tears streamed down
those manly checks; no groan issued from
those quiyering lips, as his father was laid in
the cold grave. Within that guiltless breast
burned the fire of pain, to be quenched only
in DEATH
A year and a half had now passed away.
and George had not heard from Mary, al
though he had written to her many times
He was one day looking over his fathers pa
pcrs, which had been packed away ever since
they had left home, when he found a note adj
dressed to him from Marys father, in which
it was stated that at any time George should
return, whether poor or rich, he would be
welcomed with pleasure and receive his
daughters hand. With what feelings of
pleasure and hope did he read it again and
again; and pressing it to his breast, thought
only of happy future, to repay him for his
suffering
After selling his claim and settling his af-
fairs he had three thousand dollars remain
ing-a sum sufficient for young man to be.
gin well in life with In six months more he
would be of age, and the two years would be
gone within which he had promised to re-
turn. He had a sad tale to tell to Mary. vet
he knew she would sympatnize with him. and
ease his aching heart. So, taking last look
at his fathers grave, he started for the home
of his youth, and for her whose image was
impressed upon his mind, more perfect than
art, and as durable as life.
will not recount the scenes through which
he passed in crossing the briny deep, butonly
say that he reached his native State in safety
and in health. His heart beat high with ex-
pectations of soon meeting with Mary; of re-
alizing the hope which he had cherished so
long.
AT length the day arrived. The sun shone
as brightly as on the day when he had left
his happy home. The birds sang as sweetly,
and the hills and valleys looked as green as
then; all seemed to invite him with well
come smile, as he passed quickly on to enjoy
the scenes OF happy days gone by. What
thrill OF JOY passed through his whole frame
as he beheld before him the residence of Mary,
and thrustlng the spur into the steed he was
riding, proceeded rapidly on. Everything
seemed the same as when he left; the old
tree, under which he had passed many happy
hours with Mary, was still there; the cottage
still the same in beauty.
As be neared the house no one appeared,
and riding up to the fence, be quickly dis
mounted. The little gate through which he
had often passed was open and seemed to
welcome him again to the fond embrace, pleas
ant smiles and gentle kiss Of Mary.
He proceeded to the door, and raped
gently. 1t was noiselessly opened, and he
entered. The room was filed with persons.
On one side sat the father and mother; on
the other stood minister, holding an open
bible Near to him was an open coffin, in
which lay the lifeless body of Mary, the in
tended wife Of George Morton.
Mary hadreceived the letters which George
had written before leaving the settlements
on his route to Calforna-had written many
herself-but like George had received none
in return, when one day person returning
from California reported through misiniorma-
ton or otherwise that George was dead
What haavy blow was this to Mary. From
that time happiness was no longer hers; her
bright eyes grew dim, her voice weak and
trembling, and that face once lighted with
pleasing smiles was now pale and sad. She
said she could not live to see the time on
which George had appointed to return. AZ
ter many weeks and months spent in watch
fulness by the fond parents, she died, the day
before George arrived The last words she
said, 81 go to meet him in heaven"
g beforc stated. the minister and friends