Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-02-11

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could not bear, presume, the sight of his
old associates, when he was no longer able
to live in style. He scorned them, it is true,
but he hated the sight of them, and there
fore removed from the city"
.And he never came to you. or wrote to
you afterward.'
"Never. The last beard ofhin, h.. was
in New York and in toleEable circumStan-
ces. o, what a p-;de would it be to him
could he see me thus reduced shOrn OF my
pride, and OF my wealth!
"You see am now alone in this unfriend-
" world, with my child who brOugh: you
hith,r. As my riches failed me, my old
friends dropped off one by one. and now
sickness has reduced me to the helpless
miserable condition in which sou behold
me. There is ffotan indisiddaI hving who
cares for me or mine, You have already
shown some kindness to us-for which Hea-
ven reward you, but You are the only one
the only one!''
The sick man turned his eyes upward
then closed them with sigh.
At this moment / noticed that the stran
ger, who at first appeared TO take no inter
es, in the old mans story, had at length
dra wn his chair close TO the bedside as if TO
listen.
aMv pride is humbled now," resumed the
invalid after a lcng pause. 81 think might
be brought to ask relief Of the very son |
have disowned. o God! how just has been
nv punishment, to think that he whom |
cast off, is now, very probably, able to laugh
at my fall in the midst of hio growing pros
perity But, think you he would do i'll
Think you my Edward, who was once my
Joy and pride, would have the heart to tri-
umph over me in my misery!"
mo he would rot" said deep, earnest
voice behind me, which made me start.
On looking around, saw the stranger |
had admitted, approach the bedside. As the
| light fell upon his brow, | beheld it DARK
ith agony, and there was tear glstening
in his eye.
"Who spoke1 Whose voice is that!' de-
manded The invalid, turning on his pillow
! maGe way for the stranger, and he drew
near the bed. He bent over the form Of the
old man, and their eyes met.
"Itwas | that spoke" said ths stranger
| in hurried, husky toues, sit as my voice.
The old man sta ted at him wildly.
"And who are you!" he demanded.
..Do you not know mel" murmured the
other.
80, God! that it should core to this, tha
/ ! am forgotten by my own father"
"Edw ard-my son Edward" sobbed the
invalid. o, my iniured-my noble and for
giving boy!"
! The old mans voice was choked with sob:
as with his feeble arms he drew his sor
more closely to his bosom. turned TO dash
away the tears that came unbidden 10 my
eyes, dimming their sight. and when | look
| ed again nearly minute alter, hehelJ thf
/ father and son still locked in each other:
arms. As contemp plated that silent heart
felt embrace, felt my eyes again fill will
:ears and my bosom to heave with sympa
thy.
! 20. nv son.'' murmrred TIE invalid al
length, ..what good angeI brought you hith
!
humble, miserable wretch. Adversely has
taught me deep and holy lesson, and t il
now with joy and not with pain that
wish you to forgive me
Father, father," interrupted the young
man, in voice of agony, "speak not of th
past. Let Us forgive and forget Both ot u
NAV be IN fault; but the dIy of our estrange
ment is past now and we are father and Sol
once more, thank God!"
"God bless you, my child" said the ok
man, .sGod bless you!''
Il am COME resumed Edward, 'to pay tn
debt of gratitude owe you
The debt OF sratitude!'
Yes
NV dear son. answered the old man 'yO
owe me no debt OF gratitude
.Wbat does not son owe to his father
especially such father as yOu were one
to me! My mother was taken away when
Il WIS very young. and Hatty was an infant
hat ynu flied her place; you educated me;-
| you did everything in your power to MAKE
me happy. Now, am come to repay tn
debt as freely. | have a dear and hapP
home in New York, to which will remov
YOU and Hatty, as soon as you are able t
leave your bed; till then will see that yo
are ma lie comfortable here. Thank Heav
en- for putting it in my heart to come .bac
l to Boston and search you oui!'
The old man strove to reply to thes
words of kindness, but he could Lot spea
for sobbing.
NV situation during this interview wa
painful. 1t was a relief to hear footsteF
ascending the stairs, and to see little HIATT
enter a moment alter.
Seeing two strangers in the room wit
her father, she started back surprised, fl
she was far from recognizing her brother.
: The old man saw her aud called her to h
side.
Edward uttered not a word, but stood r
: garding her in silence.
: "My child, DO you remember your broth
Edwurdl"
80, yes, remember him, he was alwa,
>. so kind to me. Don't you wish he was he
now father!''
VI My child, he is here exclaimed the o
man. This is your brother Edward!
% The gin turned and when she saw h
= brother regarding her tenderly, and Kind
~ open his arms to receive her, she flew to j
. bosom, and flung her arms willy around
10 neck.
!, At this moment my friend, the physici
u Hatty had gone after, arrived. having f'
III lowed her almost Immediately raEg at t
u door and hastened TO conduct him up stai
u He gave the sick man encouragement I
ie forded him immediate relief, and having pI
ie pared some medicine for his use, took
:. departure.
II Thinking it best to leave the now unit
family alone, | took my departure. +
old man and his son thanked me warmly
e' the interest had taken in the affairs, a
IL the little girl, as she conducted me to
door and bade me good night, besoughL