St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-03-19

ing event, she was in a calmer stat
than usual. The fever that had COZ
tinued with slow, but steady prog
ress the work of destruction, abated
Her mind was clear, her eye bright
her voice firm. The great chang
filled Anna with hope.
" You are SO much better, dear moth
er. Oh, l hope you will be we'll soon |!
she said.
The mother looked earnestly int
the face Of her child.
Anna," she said, after some me
ments had passed, 81 have something
to say to you, and perhaps thi'
is the fittest time. Imay never recov
er, and you should know all that per
tains to my early history. 1t may b,
of use to you. There may still be liv
ing those who will love and care fo1
you, for your mothers sake. know
not that this is so but, will tell you
all.
My father was a rich merchant OF
Philadelphia. l had twin sister and
a brother, both of whom, but especial.
ly the latter, | loved with warm atfec.
ton. Contrary to the wishes of my
family, | married your father, whose
only fault was, want of wealth, and
high family connections. For this act
was cast off. For a few years, your
father and myself lived in Philadel
phia, and then we removed to this
place. More than twenty years have
elapsed since came to the west. But
once during that time did the least ii
dlngs from home reach me. 1t is near
ly fifteen years since saw, announc
ed in an eastern paper, the death OF
my father. then wrote to nv sister
but received no answer She may, or
may not be living.
"The manner in which all of nv
family treated your father, made me
indignant. l loved him, and was of a
proud temper; l could, therefore,
poorly brook contempt when it was
cast upon him, and upon me for mar
rying him. This feeling of indignant
pride, est"an"nd r2n fnam ell who had
been dear from childhood.
" But, still there are natural claims
as we'll as relationships. l fear, An
ma, that shall not be with you long.
Get your pen and write down the
names of Mason Grant and Joseph
Markland. Mrs. Mary Grant, the wife
of Mason Grant, if living, is my sis
ter, and Joseph Markland is my broth
er. Joseph had an excellent heart
| was tenderly attached to him. Oh,
| have SO often and often wondered
how he could rest, if living, without
seeking me out. But, hearing nothing
from me in so long time, he has,
probably, thought me dead. If ever
| should be taken from you, go at
once to Philadelphia, and seek out nv
sister and brother. They will love
you for their sisters sake, am sure
they will take care of you. Every
one says you resemble me strongly
that will be to them the best proof of
your identity. But there is another.
Bring me from the bottom of my trunk
small box that you will find there"
Anna brought the box. Her moth
er opened it, and took out small,
richly set miniature, that the daugh-
Ter had never seen.
"This is the likeness of my moth
r." resumed Mrs. Gray. at was in
ny possession when | was married.
md | have ever since retained it, as |
most precious remembrancer of my
earliest and happiest days. This, with
your strong resemblance to me, will
make your statement at once believed. |
'romlse me, then, my child, that if
am taken from you, you will seek
'ut these relations"
Anna promised in faint voice but.
IS she did SO, chilling shudder pass
ID through her frame.
"Oh, do not speak of dying, nv
lear, dear mother !" she sobbed, fall
ng upon her neck. You will not
cave me. What shall l do-where
shall | so, when you are taken away 2"
"All will be right, my child" re-
urned Mrs. Gray, in a calm voice.
1t will be better for you, l trust, and
shall be at rest
Anna continued to weep in bitter
lnguish Of spirit. There was some-
hing earnest about her mother, and at
ines, SO solemn, while she had been
peaking to her, that she was deeply
with the feeling that sep
ration was near-a separation for
which she was utterly unprepared.
That event was much closer at hand
han either the mother or child had
On the next morning she
vas taken quite i'll, and in three DAYS
'reathed out her last mortal sigh, her
ead resting on the bosom of her half
distracted child.
CHAPTER NJ.
1t was impossible for Anna Gray to
ealize. until after the burial of her
nother, the true nature of the loss she
ad sustained. Death, when at last it
anne, benumbed for time her feel
ngs. The shock was so severe, that
is effect was paralizing. But, after
he body had been carried to the grave,
nd the few sympathising neighbors
Who attended the funeral had depart
d, Anna felt most distressing sense
f loneliness and bereavement. This
ontinued for several days. Then,