Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-02-26


ment of this mOurufu history, on bleak au-
tumnal evening, a rough, country wagon drove
into the village of C. 1t stopped at the
alms-houSe, an attenuated form was lifted out
aud carried in, and the wagon rumbled away
Thus was Lucy Dutton brought to her native
town TO die.
She had been in decline for some months.
and the miraculous strength which had so long
sustained her in her weary wanderings at last
forSook her utterly. Her sister had died some
time before, aud the widowed husband had
soon after removed with his family to the far
West so Lucy had no friends no home, but
the aims house
One day about Il week from the time Of her
arrival Lucy appeared TO suffer greatly. and
those abOut her looked for her release almost
impatentIy /; but at night she was evidently
better, and for the FIRST time she slept tran
gully until morning. The matron who was
by her bedside when she awoke, was startled
by the clear, earnest gaze which met her own.
but she smiled and bid the invalid " Good
Morning" Lucy looked bewildered, but the
voice seemed to re-aSSure hef, and she ex-
claimed
Where am ?-and who are you 81 do
not know YOU
A wild surIniSe flashed across the mind of
the matron the long-lost reason of the wan
derer had returned But the good woman
replied calmly aud Soothingly,-
Why, YOU are among your friends and you
will know me presently"
Then may be you know Edwin and Ellen, =
rejoined the invalid 50 have they come ? Oh,
| had such terrible dream | dreamed that
they were married Only think, Ellen mar
ried to Edwin Strange It's that | should
dream that"
Ny poor Lucy" said the matron with a
gush of tears, That was not dream twas
all true"
All true :" cried the invalid then Edwin
must be untrue, and that cannot be. for he
loves NE We loved each other well, and El-
len is my sister. Let me see them. | will 90
to them"
She endeavored TO raise herself, but fell back
fainting on the pillow.
Why, what does this mean ~ said She
What makes me so weak :"
Just then her eve fell on her own hand
that old and withered haud She gazed on
it in blank astonishment.
Something is the matter of my sight" she
said smiling family, for my hand looks like
All old woman's"
/ And so it is said the matron gently, and
+ so is mine !; yet We had fair, plump hands when
We were yonng. Dear Lucy, do you know
me ? | am Maria Allen-I was 10 have been
/ your bridesmaid ~
J cannot say more-I will not make the vain
attempt to give in detail all that mournful re-
= vealing-to reduce TO inexpensive words the
dread Sublimity of that hopeless sorrow.
To the wretched Lucy the last thirty years
were as though they had never been. OF not
! a scene, not an incident, had she the slightest
| remembrance since the recreaut lover and
/ tratoroHS sister stood before her, and made
their terrible announcement
! The kind matron paused frequently in the
sad narrative of her poor friends madness and
wanderings but the invalid would say with
| fearful calmneSS, " Go on, go on, though the
| drops of agony stood thick upon her forehead
| When she asked for her sister, the matrou
replied
She has gone before yor, aud your father
also"
And nv mother :" said Lucy her face lit
up with a sickIy ray of hope.
- Your mother has been dead for twenty
years !"
Dead All gone Alone, old, dying
Oh God, my cup of bitterness is full :" and
she wept aloud.
Her friend bending over her. and mingling
tears with her, said affectionately ::
But you know who drank that cup before
! YOU p