Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-06-10

deposited in the bank twenty thousand dollars
in their name. and they might draw it as they
pleased. He thus wished them to enjoy part,
at least; of their patrimony, while he lived
OF course the reader can imagine how this an
nouncement was received. But the old man
did not stop long to hear their thanks, for he
had the same errand to deliver to Lydia and
her husband.
He found Charles and Lydia occupying ono
chair when he entered-Lyda 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.
sMr. Gorham,'' he said, in low, tremulous
voice, 81 accept your generous offer, and the
more readily, too, because know it comes
from the hand of love. But, sir, could not
have asked-I could not have expected ton
the ground that am your son-n-law. No,
no, for in this noble woman you have given
me treasure suchSas few men possess. Oh.
you cannot know what heaven on earth my
home is while-whilc-my wife
But Charles had undertaken work he could
not perform. The words stuck in his throat,
and the speech ended in a flood of tears. His
gentle wife sank upon his bosom, and the old
man went to the window and pretending to be
looking at something in the street notwith-
stapding it was very dark out there, and he had
his handkerchief before his eyes all the while.
Another year passed away, and during the
most of that time the old man remained with
| Abby. After this he began to see the cloudy
| disposition manifest itself. He was panied
! and shocked. He spoke with her, but she pre-
tended she could not help it. Another week
passed on, and during that time Mr.. Gorham
spoke with his child touching her fault; but
! still she did not amend.
Saturday evening came and Abby Leeman
was in her chamber. Her oldest 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.
"No, no, Albert,'' she heard the old man
say, ssI cannot remain here / had intended to
make my home with Abby, for she is my old
est living, but cannot bear it. Nearly every
day my heart is made to ache with the harsh,
unkind words hear spoken to your little ones.
Oh such good, sweet children and love
|
me- Once / might have borne it; but now
when my heart is lonely and sad from recent
bereavement, cannot bear it. l will come to
see you, and you shall have the old share of
love. And fear that she is not always kind
to you"
elias Lydia told you soa' asked Albert.
s.Lydia 7'' uttered Mr.. Gorham in surprise,
s'She told me? All, You don't know her, if
you think so. No, no; she has only told me
what good and faithful wife Abby But
can see, as my presence grows more common,
the restraint wears off, and Abby begins to
show me the face she keeps for home. | speak
this to you, Albert, because would not lie to
you. But 1 will see Abby again 10
Abby listened to him longer. With n
wildly beating, bursting heart, she fastened
to her room and threw herself upon bed, and
there she lay for long time. When her hus-
band came up she was sick, and when he asked
her what he could do for her, she said she
would be left to herself. In moment he mis-
trusted that she had heard part of her fathers
remarks and left her.
One day, little Nellie looked pale and sick,
and cried great deal with pain. 1t was the
youngest-thc baby. Abby was fractions, but
she did not speak so harshly as usual. She
had tried to reform since her father left a
week before, but she. allowed spirit of anger
to come into her soul on account of the course
she had pursued, SO her trial did not amount
to much. When Albert came home the child
was worse, and by this time it had become so
sick that the mother was sorry she had been SO
harsh through the day.
Mr. Leeman went for the doctor, and when
that man came he said Nellie had the scarlet
fever. All night the little one suffered much,
and its cheeks and brow seemed on fire. On
the next day she grew weaker and sicker, then
Abby feared she might die. Oh! what a
thought
Sabbath night came, and little Nellie had
grown white and thin during the whole day
she had been calm and quiet. Could she be
dying7 ssOh God spare my child ~ the frantic
mother prayed upon her knees.
The clock had struck nine, when Nellie
raised her eyes, and they looked very strange.
eMamma-good mamma," she whispered,
sskiss little Nellie"
The mother pressed her lips upon her chiid's
brow, and kissed her fervently.
Z sMamma-you love little Nellie; and you
: love George and Mary"
The mother could not speak. Just then Mr..
Leeman approached.
"Papa-papa-one kiss for Neiiie. Love
Nellie always. Love George and Mary, and
love Mamma.
When Abby Leeman next looked upon her