The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-02-25
ASHLAND, ASHLAND COUNTY OHIO, WEDNESDAY MoRN]

|, One day Albert came homo with the
pleasing intelligence for his wife. that
her father would be there the next morn.
ing, and that they iRtended to settle
down With him and fud home. Abby
was in eestaoies She loved her father,
for he was n good man, and had ever
been kind to his children. And he was
wealthy, too.
On the following day, Moses Gorhan
came. He was an old man now, past
sixty, with white hair, and mild, benev-
nlantlnnls -Asal- Abby wars very happy.
Her father told her he had finished his
travels, and meant to settle down with
one of his children for the remainder OF
his days.
"Oh, of course you'll come and stay
with u.s." Abby said. We've got the
most room, and are best able to keep
you"
"Ah, my child" returned the old man
with smile, 81 am better able to keep
myself. But can tell you better
about that after have been here a
SPELL"
at the end of week, Mr.. Gorham
informed Abby and her husband that he
had that day deposited in the bank twen-
ty thousand dollars, in their ame, and
that they might draw it as they pleased.
He thus wished them to enjoy part, at
least Of their patrimony, while lie lived.
OF course the reader can imagine how
this announcement was received. But
the old man did not stop long to. hear
their thanks, for he had the same er, and
to deliver to Lydia and her husband.
He found Charles Frye and his wife
both occupying one chair when he en-
tered Lydia sitting in Charles lap,
/, and the child in hers. He told them
VII at he had done, aud it was some time
ere one of them could speak But
Charles was the first to break the 81.
lence.
"Mr. Gorham," said he in low, trem-
ulous voice, II accept your generous of
fer, and the more readily too, because
know it comes from the hand of love-
But, sir, could not have asked it-I
could not have expected -it-on the
ground that am your son in-law. No.
no, for in this noblo woman you have
given me treasure such as few men pos
sess. Oh! you cannot know what a
heaven on earth my homo is while
while-my wife"
But Charles had undertaken work
he could not perform. The words ss'uck
in his throat, and the speech ended 10 a
food of tears. His gentle wife sank up
on his bosom, and the old man won't to
the window AID pretended to be looking
al something in the street, notwith-
standing 1t was very dark out there, and
that he had his handkerchief before his
eyes all the while.
| Another week passed away, and du-
ring the most of that time the old man
remained with Abby. After this he be
gan to see the cloudy disposition mani
fest itself. He was panied aud shocked.
He spoke with her, but she pretended
she could not help it. Another week
passed on, and during that time Mr.
Gorhaln spoke with his child touching
her fault but still she did not amend
Saturday evening came, and Abby
Leeman was in her chamber. Her old
est child, girl, came up and told her
that grandpa was going away-that he
had got his trunk at the door. Abby
could not believe it. She started for
the sitting room at once. In the hall
she stopped, for the door was sjar, and
she heard her fathers voice. 1t was il
a panied tone, aud it struck to her soul
at once.
"No, no, Albert" she heard the old
man say, "I cannot remain here; 1 had
intended to make my home with Abby,
for she is my Oldest living; but I can
not bear it. Nearly every day my heart
is made to ache by the harsh, unkind
words hear spoken to our little ores
Oh such good. kind sweet children |!
and love them so! But Abby will
not listen even to me. Once [ might
have borne it; but now. when my heart
is lonely and sad from recent bereave-
ment, I cannot bear it. . I will come to
see you, and you shall have the old share
of love- And 1 fear she is not always
kind to you"
"Has Lydia told you so ?" asked AL
bert.
"Lydia?" uttered Mr.. Gorham in
surprise. "She told me? All, you don't
know her, if you think SO. Ne. no, she
has only told me what good and faith
full wife Abby was. But I can see, as
my presence grows more common, the
restraint wears off, and Abby begins to
show me the face she often keeps for
home. I speak this to you, Albert, be-
cause I would not lie. to you. But
but 1 will see again. I will see Abby,
againl" p
! Abby listened to him no longer
With wildly beating, bursting heart,
she hastened to her room, and threw her
self upon her bed, and there she lay for