South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1857-05-22
LITTLE CHARLES WILL.

was by no mearsmodcratc in the expression
OF his feelings. He had many of the cle-
mcnts of noble character yet he was no,
at all general favoritc. Proud as we'll as
retiring, his better qualities were all OBJ
scurcd by his rough. abrupt. and unamia-
BILE manners. AS their father was an Off
Ger in the navy, and consequently often
absent for long time from his home, the
boys were necessarily left much to their
mothers management, and she being gen
tie and delicate, Walters violence and
strong feelings terrified her. and she felt
herself drawn more toward Charlie. Wal
ter, seeing this, was often jealous of poor lit
tic Charlie, while he affected to dispise him.
Charlie was the very reverse of Walter
nc was quiet, sweet-tempercd, pleasant
boy. He had very delicate health; and
being his mothers constant companion, he
became like her-gcntle and mild to every
| one.
Mrs. Harrison's only brother arrived one
day on visit. AS hc was rich and un-
married, Walter, who was his namesakc,
had been generally considered his heir
Walter, however, displcased him by his
rude manners, his disobcdicnce to his moth
er. and the unkind spirit he showed toward
his brother. On the contrary, he seemed
much taken with Charlie, and layishcd on
him every mark of kindness and affection.
Walter felt this acutcly, for his uncle was
a person whom he was obliged to respect
and esteem, and whose friendship he would
have valued but he was too proud to make
any concession, or to acknowledge that he
his jealous feelings to his gentle brother.
One evening, soon after their uncle had
left them. as the two boys were sitting to-
gether in the parlor, the door bell rang,
and noise was heard on the gravel. The
children looked out Of the window, and they
saw beautiful white pony, saddlcd and
brldlcd, led to the front door by groom In
few minutes Mrs. Harrison came in with
an open letter i'll her hand, and told them
that this pony was sent by Uncle Walter
for his dear nephew Charlie, as he thought
the delicate boys health would be benefit
ted by daily ride. In Walters mood ut
that moment-for he had been broodng
over some fancied slight, such an announce
mcnt was like fuc! to the flame He had
long desired to be the posscssor of pony.
'Charlic, Charlie, always Charlie" NUT
tered he /; "evcry one loves Charlic-no
one loves me; wish I were dead"
So saying he rushed out of the room and
out of the house.
80, mamma, am so sorry Walter is
angry about the pony" said Charlie Il
wish Uncle Walter had sent it to him.
Do let me 60, mamma, and tell him that
will give it to him"
Charlie Immediately ran out to the
grounds, and found Walter leaning moodily
against tree near pond. "Dcar Walter"
said he, edo come and look at the pretty
pony. will give him to you and we shall
both ride him. Do come and try him now,
dear Walter"
"Go away" said Walter. rudely; II
don't want your pony. You have won every
body's love away from me, and you may
take the pony too"
"My dear Walter" said Charlie, "mam-
ma lcvcs you, and love you dearly too"
Don't be little hypocritc, Charlie
None of you care for me. Go away, say"
continued he, angrily, as the little boy tried
to take his hand, and he pushed him from
him Walter was excited he did not know
how violently he pushed Charlie, who Slip
ped, fell, and rolled into tho pond. The
gardener, who was working near, flew to
the spot, and catching the boys dress,
quickly rescued him; but tho fright and
the sudden shock had been too much for
the delicate boy, and he was carried up to
the house insensible. Walter followed,
almost paralyzed by terror. Charlie was
carried at once to his room, followed by
his mother, who had seen the whole from
the window. Walter was not allowed to
60 into his brothers room, and in an agony
of mind, he went to his own and shut
himself in.
The miserable boy passed wretched
night; he did not dare to 60 to Charles
room, and he sat listening intently, strain
ing his ear to catch the slightest sound
that might tell him his brother was still
alive. There was silence like death over
the whole house. Sometimes he fancied
Charlie was dead, and that he was mur-
derer, and his anguish was almost more
than ho could bear. All his past conduct
came up before his mind-his sel6shncss
his rebellion, his pride, his jealousy-all
now appeared in new light. After hours
of agony and inward struggle, he threw
himself on bis knees, and prayed as he
had never prayed before.
In the morning he heard that Charlie
was better, though still weak and ill., AL
ways delicate, he had suffered so severely
from the shock that he was still considered
in danger. Through the day he was able
to sit up little in bed, and had asked for
pencil aud piece of paper to write, but
still Walter was forbidden to 60 to his room
In the evening Mrs. Harrison came into
the parlor whcro Walter was sitting; her
eyes we're red, as if she had been weeping,
and she gave Walter a folded paper.
Il found this under Charles pillow"
said she , "you may read it, if you please"
Walter opened it aud read as follows:
'MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.
II leave to my dear mamma my gold
claspcd Bible, my little desk, and all my
letters. To my papa leave my picture Of
Jesus Christ Stilliug the Tempest my
Pilgrims Progress and the Pictures Of
the Holy Laud,' which Uncle Walter gave
me. To little Emily leave my canarics,
l. Al