The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-03-04
could bring cloud upon a member of her

household. - s......x -+ --:.*=
And between these two sisters there an
arrangement Several times Lydia had expos
tulated with Abby on account OF her fract'ous
treatment of her children, and once she had
even gone SO far as to put her arms around her
sisters child and protect it from the mothers
rage; and il unfortunately happened that on
that very evening Mr.. Leeman asked his wife
Why she could not be as kind and mild always
as her sister was. Then, added to this, Abby
shortly afterwards learned. through meddle-
some neighbor, that her sister had given her hus-
band, Albert, some advice AS to how he might
best punish his fractious wife This capped
the climax in Abbys mind, and from that time
there was no intercourse between the sisters.
One day Albert came home with the pleas
ing Intelligence for his wife that her father would
be there The next morning, and that he intend
ed to settle down with him and find a home.
Abby was in ecstacies. She loved her father,
tor helwas good man, and had ever been kind
TO hisschildren. And he was wealthy, too.
On the following day, Moses Gorham came
HesWas an Old man now, past sixty, with white
hsir, and mild, benevolent look; and Abby was
very happy. Her father told her he had fn
ished his travels, and meant to settle down with
one OF his children for the renal. der of his days.
oh, Of course, you'll come and stay with us, -
Abby said. "We've got the most room, and
are best sbIeto keep you.'
FtAh, my child, > returned the old man, with
4 smile, Il am better able to keep myself
But | can tell you better about that after | have
been here u sprIl''
/ At the end Of a week, Mr.. Gorham informed
Abby and her hu> band that he had that day de-
posted in the bank twenty thousand dollars,
in their name, and that they mi -,ht draw it as
they pleased. He thus wished them to enjoy u
part at least Of their patrmony while he lived.
Of course the reader can imagine how this an
nuuncement was received. But the Old man
die, not stop long to hear their thanks. for he
had the same errand to deliver to Lydia and
her husband.
He found Charles Frye and wife occupying
one chair when lie entered. Lydia sitting 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
| the first to break The silence.
MIR. Gorham,' he said in a low, tremulous
voice, Il accept your generous olter, aud the
mere readily. too, because | know 1t comes
from the hand of love. But si!r, could not
nave asked i'll >ou!d not have expected it
on the ground that am your son law. N"
no, for IN this noble woman you have given mt
Il treasure such as few men possess. Oh, you
cannot know what heaven on earth my home
is whle-whiIe--m wife,
Bu5 Charles had undertaken work he could
not perform The words stuck in his throat
and the speech ended in flood OF tears. Hi
gentle wife sank upon his bosom, and the ole
man went to the window and pretended to bt
looking at something's the street, notwlthstanl
ing it was very dark out there, and that he hac
his handkerchief before his eyes all the while
Another week passed away, and during the
most OF that time the old man rcqoaiHed with
Abby After this he began to See the cloudy
disposition manifest itself He was panied ant
shocked. He spoke with her, but she pretend
ed she could not help it. Another week pass
cd on, and during that time Mr.. Gorham spok
with his child touching her fault; but still sh'
did not amend.
Saturday evening came, and Abby Leemai
was in her chamber. Her oldest child, girl
came up and told her that granAp pa was yuinS
away--lhat he had got his trunk at the door
Abby could not believe it. She started for lh
sitting room at once. In the bail she stopped
Ior tie door ar and she heard her I'll
ther's voice. II was in a panied tone, and
struck 10 her soul at one
/ "No, no AIbert'' she heard the old nan say
Il cannot remain here. | had intended to maxi
my home with Abby, for she is my oldest Iiv
lnI but cannot bear it. Nearly every da,
my heart is made to ache by the harsh, un
kind words hear spoken to our Iil;le Ones
Oh such good, kind, sweet chilIren' and low
them So! But Abby will not listen, even to me
Once | might have borne ii; but now, when m,
heart is lonely and sad from recent bereavement
| cannot bear it. | will come to see you, ant
you shall have the old share of love. And
fear She is not always kind to you.'
! HAS Lydia told you so?'' asked Albert.
|, "Lydia" uttered Mr. Gorham in surprise
She told me? All, you don't know her, if yo'
think So No, no, she has only told me wha
good and faithful wife Abby was. But | Cal
see, as my presence grows more common, tn,
restraint wears off, and Abby begins to shov
me the face she often keeps for home. speal
this to YOU. Albert. because | would not lie t,
YOU But-bu--I will see YOU again! viii
see Abby ayain''
Abby Iistened to him no longer. With
wildly beating, bursting heart, she FASTENED t.
her room, and threw hersclfupon her bed, AM
there she lay for long time. When her bus
band came up she was sick, and when he asked
her what he could do for her she said she wnuIt
be left to herself In Il moment. he mi>trus,et
that she had heard some part Of her father
remarks, and left her
One day, lille Nellie looked pale and sicl;
and cried great deal with pain. 1t was th'
yourg st-the ''baby." Abby was fractous
but h: did not speak as harshIy as usual. Sh'
had lrtd to reform since her father left, ii wttl
before but she allowed asprit Of anger to COM
into her soul on account OF the course he hat
pursued SO ier trial did not amount TO much
When Albert came home the child was worse
and by this time it had become so sick lhat IT,,
mother was sorry she had been so harsh through
the day.
Mr.. Lceman went for the doctor, and whel
thai MALI came, he said little Nellie had The scar
etfever. Allniyht the little one suffered much
and lis checks and brow seemed on fire On thu
:, next day size grew weekcr and sicker; then Alb
= by feared she might die. Oh, what thought
Sabbath night came, and little Nellie hae
crown very white and thin: duriner the whole