The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-09-09

- NC" ieS"io Aoi III Ao'hoA oPi'oS
c up in my heart, I will remain at hom,
q with you
Thank you my dear child i he an
s swered; his voice suddenly failing with
feeling. But I cannot afford to let any
: one go this season.
], The girls will be terribly disappoint
y ed. They have set their hearts Oh GO
ing said I.
: I'm sorry be said. But necessity
2 knows no Law. They will have to make
2, themselves as contented at home as pos
: sible
And he left me and went away to hii
all exaetiug business
When 1 had stated what he had said
my sisters were in a transport of min.
) gled anger and disappointment, and gave
utterance to many unkind remarks
against our good, indulgent father. As
for my older sister, she declared that
she would go in spite of him, and pro-
posed our visiting tho store of a well
known merchant, where VIC often made
purchases, and buying all we wanted,
leave directions to have the bill sent in.
But I was now on my fathers side, and
resolutely opposed all suggestions of dis
obedience. His manner and words had
touched me. causing some scales to drop
from my vision, so that I could see in a
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
70 our surprise he came home about four
o'clock, entering iu an unusually quiet
manner, even for him and going up to
his own room without speaking to any
one of the family.
WAS that father p We were sitting
together, still discussing Saratoga and
Newport. It was my mother who asked
the question. We had heard the street
door open aud close, and had also heard
footsteps along the passage and up the
stairs.
1T was too early for him to como
home,' answered.
NV mother looked at her watch and
remarked, as shade of concern fitted
over her face
1T certainly was your father. 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. fol
lowed, for sudden fear came into my
heat.
Edward what ails you? Are you
sick p 1 heard my mother ask in an
alarmed voice, as came into her room.
My father had lain himself across the
bed, and his face was concealed by pill
low into which it was buried deeply.
Edward Edward! Husband What
the matter Are you i'll p
oh, father dear father y cried,
adding my voice to my mothers, and
bursting into tears, I grasped his hand
it was very cold, and very clammy with
perspiration.
Send James for tho doctor, instantly
said my mother.
No, no-don't.' My father partial
ly aroused himself at this speaking in a
thick, unnatural voice.
COP My mother repeated the in
junction, and few down stairs with the
order for James, our waiter, to go in all
haste for the family physician. When
1 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 to be in a partial stupor, as
if under the influence of some drug. We
chafcd his hands and feet, and bathed
his face, that wore deathly aspect, and
used all tho means in our power to re-
kindle the failing spark of life. But
he seemed to grow less conscious of ex-
ternal 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. |
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 Inquired for at the door,
a thing altogether unusual at that hour
of the day. Indeed, his presence in the
house at that hour was something that
had not occurred within 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 physician s arrival.
Did you tell him that father was very
ill p said I.
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 months,