The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-10-13

was young man OF great personal at
fractions, talent and piety. Circumstan
ces favoring, an intimate acquaintance
soon ripened into love, with promise
of marriage But when Mr.. Lee sough
General Clifton's consent, he was tok
by both father and brother that Alic;
never would be permitted to marry one
they considered so far her inferior il
point of wealth aud station. In vain
she pleaded his talents, excellence and
usefulness; her friendswere inexorable
The next day her place was vacant il
the domestic circle, and while the family
were perusing long and affectionatt
letter from her, containing her renuncia
tion of wealth, conviction of duty and
an affectionate farewell to each member
of the family. the iron horse was fast
bearing MIR. Lee and Alice his young
bride, to a neat little home in the sub
urbs of j, in New Hampshire
where years of usefulness and domestic
sunshine passed, which was frightened
By the birth of Cora.
One sultry summer evening when the
household pet was about three years old
Mr.. Lee, who had been attending Gen.
eral Conference, was expected home on
the evening train. All that order and
love could suggest, had been done tc
make his reception agreeable. And Mrs
Lee, seated in the vine covered porticC
anxiously awaited his arrival. But
around those golden moments of expec
tation, dark shadow was lowering
And instead of the buoyant step and
happy greeting. she saw four men ap
proacbing bearing litter on which the
mangled form of her husband was lying
HastiIy.they told her that be had met
with an accident on the cars, which they
feared would prove fatal.
Tenderly they laid him in his own
room; after resting few moments be
slowly opened his eyes, kissed Mrs. Lee
aud Cora, said goodbye and all wa:
over.
Long weary months passed, and Mrs
LIE found it necessary to earn support
for herself and child, and concluded to
resort to teaching, where years of almost
uninterrupted usefulness, passed quietly
away. But iu the midst of urtirlng eff
fort, consumption, wearing the rose
from her cheek, adm monished Mrs. Lee
that Cora would be left an orphan, and
she concluded if possible, to place her
in the care of her brother, who on the
death of their father had succeeded to
the ancestral estate, and was yet mourn
ing the death of an only child, daugh-
ter of about Cora s age. Thinking that
although his heart had grown cold to-
wards herself he would forget the father
so much disliked on account of his pow
erty, when he saw her beautiful child.
But to return to Cora. mechanically
she ascended the stone steps and rang
the bell, Judge Clifford answered the
summons in person.
sDoes Mr.. Clifton live here? p Inquired
Cora timidly. YES, that is my lame,
be replied.
My mother requested me to give this
letter to you said Cora, 'and wished me
to remain until you have read it, Very
well,' said Judge Clifton, as he led the
way back to the sitting room, and di
rccting Cora to seat, opened the letter
and read with changing countenance)
as follows
MOUNT GREEN, June, l8-
My DEAR BRoTHER RALPH 1.-THE
last effort of my pen is devoted to you
And before this reaches you. the hand
that guides it, will trembie no more, in
lis uubroken stiffness But knew that
you will let the still unburied form of a
once loved sister, plead with you. You
cannot know the sorrow it has caused
me to be alienatcd from my kindred, but
had you known him for whom l left
home and dear friends. as 1 did, you
would have censured lightcy. Five years
ago he past away to his rest, of this l
wrote you, but knew not whether the
Intelligence ever reached you. He was
ever to me and our child, all that
ask. kind, intelligent and noble. While
he lived, his s1lary was ample for our
support, after his death; until my health
failed, we have lived very comfortably
from my salary as teacher. When
saw that consumption was fast doing its
work, ] resolved if possible to return tC
Mount Green once more. When ]
learned that your own lovely Carrie
had gone before me to the spirit world
| felt assurance that you would take my
child and love her as you once loved me
1t is this hope that has enabled me tc
bear the urney, and it now cheers my
dying momeuts. Yes, you will love my
sweet beautiful child Cora. My fest
and my heart faileth, but God is the
strength of my heart and my pzrtior
forever
Adieu,
Your affectionate sister,
ALICE LEE.
Can it be!' groaned Judge Clifton
as he laid down the letter, that my owl
aud ouly sister has died so near me anC
so alone,-where are you stopping h
said, addressing Cora. 'At the note
just over the hill. But must go back
mother is all alone, We came last nigh
aud don't know any one in the house
she said as the tears rained down he
pale cheeks. ,rl-
Judge Clifton could restrain his feel
ings no longer, and taking her on hi
lap, pressed her tenderly to his bosom
DO you know Cora he said, that an
your uncle Ralph, and that your moth
er wrote desiring permission for you tt
come and live here?
i have often heard my mother speal
of my uncle Ralph, but L did not know
that 1 was coming to see him. she re
piled.
On Mrs. Clifton,s entrance into the
room, she was surprised to find her hus
band miDgling his tears with those of th,
pale beautiful child as she sat telling
him of her mother A few moments
were sufficient for tho explanation, anc