Amador weekly ledger., 1857-11-07
CHAPTER VII.


1t was the spring of 80 Nature had don
ned her robes of the brightest green and
decked her brow with the most delicate flow
ers My heart had caught the reviving inhu-
ence and again beat with the fervor of hope.
was drawing near my home and as |
thought near the realization Of my fondest
desires. The village was in view and as |
passed several persons whom knew by sight
it seemed that they, on catching glimpse of
me- turned and looked in wonder at me. The
stage was al the door of the hotel where |
had formerly boarded, and as | alighted
among the crowd that ever congregates, in
village, around the coach when it arrives,
there was general starting back and excla-
nation Of "My God, that is Mr. Waters and
alivep l extended my hand to the landlord,
calling him by name; he took it cautiously,
saying, "and you are not dead2" Far from
it," replied; "but what does all this aston
shment mean?" He explained to me that
the previous fall newspaper had been re-
ceived there containing the announcement of
the death, in village in New York, of Isaac
Waters, aged about 25 years. That to learn
the particulars Mr. Lorenzo Stanford had
written to the post master of the village,
aud in answer received letter confirming the
newspaper account and giving a description
of the deceased that would have done for
picture of me even to myself. This satisfied
all that | was indeed dead, and my few effects
left there had been disposed of accordingly.
This singular circumstance, (hardly coin
cidence,) so filled my mind that | did not
think to enquire as to what had occurred in
the neighborhood during my years absence.
But the landlord, being very laxative, did
not let me remain long in ignorance. This
one had died, that one had moved and such
and-such newcomers had settled there Young
Easttield, the merchant, had married Miss
Minnie Stamford heard no more, / was
paralyzed WHAT Minnie, myMinnie mar
ried, and to another? Oil no; no, no." 1t
could not be possible; | would not believe it.
As soon as could find strength sufficient
walked out into the open air, but the breeze
seemed hot and scorched my throbbing tenn
pies. For the first time in my life my heart
revolted against my maker What had |
done to merit all this torture
1t was evening but not yet dark, and / I'M
consciously was walking towards Mr.. Stan
fords with steps keeping time to my quick
beating pulse. Before l was aware of the
distance had gone was almost at the
gate of Lorenzo Stanford, within two miles
first thought was to turn back but thinking
that saw, by the cande-light, Mr. Stanford
standing in the open door | went forward,
entered the gate, and stood before him. the
light shining full in my face 'In the name
of Heaven" said he, "is this not Isaac Wa
ters?" ut were a mercy if it were not"
answered "but give me your hand and you
will feel that | am indeed flesh aud blood -
Taking me by the hand he led me into the
house, where | had to pass through similar
scene with his wife. Mutual explanations
were given, but | could not ask them of
Minnie / essayed to do so but the word
stopped in my throat that refused to release
it. We had sat some time in silence, each
thinking of the same object, of her; when Mr.
Stanford startled me by saying, abstractedly,
this will kill Minnie"
The ice thus broken | asked scores of ques-
tions in regard to her and how she came to
marry young Eastfeld AS soon as gave
him time to speak he proceeded to explain
that soon after left, Eastfeld had commenced
paying some slight attentions to Minnie and
was received with appreciation by Mrs. Stan
ford as he was reputed rich and his family
stood high in society. His attentions during
/ the summer and fall were not of that eharae-
ter that she as a lady could refuse. Not
till after the repor' Of my death did he APP
pear as lover. Then, even, he was eau
tious, and spread his net by sounding my