Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-08-19

as | entered and young man bowed whom
had never seen before.
" had, few days previous, heard my fa
ther speak of a certain Rupert Elmer son OF
an old crony of his who had written to inquire
if the station Lawton had occupied were yet
vacant. And he thinks to fill his place =
You needno description ofmynew acquaintance
the few years that have elaSped since the time
of which | speak have produced little change
in him. In person he differed widely from his
predecessor, and in character not less. Some
what to my vexatOn, heat my fathers earnest
socitation-becane an inmate of our house
aud was thus thrown into daily intercourse
with him. treated him with frigid politeness,
which he met with unvarying courtesy-not
strained, but proceeding from the intimate kind
ness of his heart
My manner altered by degrees l no Ion
ger availed myself Of every opportunity to es-
cape from the room, and seek the companion
ship of my own sad thoughts. Ny heart was
still too full Of the memory of the absent to
/ think of another, and could not Join in the
encomums passed every day, in my hearing
upon the amiabiIity and intelligence of the new
conner but | began to look upon him as
/ pleasant, good young man, whose conversation
might be agreeable when one had nothing bet
! ter to engage attention He took less notice
of me than of any other member of the house
! hold held mammals silks. and sketched pat
terRs for her embroidery, and read aloud to
! papa. He read well and his manner, more
than the beauty Of his style caused me to listen
with pleasure He was popular-why, could
not tell. He was too straightforward and can
did to be lady's man, and detested svcophan-
cy too heartily to seek patronage. Yet his
coming was always hailed with pleasure, and
he soon obtained thriving practice.
My selfish sorrows were interrupted by real
afiiiction. My father was taken i'll W tn a lin
gering fever, that slowly dred the blood in his
veins and wasted his strength Ny mother,
always delicate, was soon too feeble to render
much assistance, aud became his constant
attendant. Absorbed in the cares and ankle
ties of the sickroom, | scarcely noticed who
were my companions, aud paid no regard to
one who hung over the patient sufferer with
the devotion of a son and tenderness of wo-
man. One night took my place by the bed
side, with spirit worn down with depression.
There were no signs of n favorable change,
and hope forSook my bosom | gazed upon
the paid face and thought how soon the re-
naming spark Of anaimtiOn would forsake it
/ The blow, / felt would be too heavy for the
devoted wife. The anticipation was too har
rowing my forttude gave way, and burst
into tears. Ny sobs did not braek the stupor-
I like sleep of the invalid but some one entered
hastily through the open door of an adjoining
apartment. 1t was Elmer, who, with an alarm.
ed look, passed to the side of the bed and press
ed his finger lightly upon the thin wrist that
! lay upon the cOverlet
His pulse is feeble, but regnar-he whiS-
pered "and his fever is off. hope--I think
he is octter Let me entrcat you not to dis
tresS yourself"
could not answer With the gentle force
of a brother he led me to the open window,
made me drink glass Of water, and, as grew
composed, p!ayfulIy threatened to give me into
the hands of the physician, if | did not keep
my feelings nnder better control
- know it is difficult especially as You have
been tasked beyond your strength. | have
watched you with great uneasineSs. Will you
not be persuaded to rest during the remainder
of the night AS told you before | think
him better at least there is no immediate
danger. | promise to summon you upon the
slightest change VIII you trust me ?'
Mrs AinSlie is to watch part of the night" :"
L L
sleep What is my health compared with
his ?"
But for his sake you must preserve it
And you ~ said |, remarking his jaded
look for the first time
Oh, that is nothing am accustomed
toit !"
You have been mp much lately ?" | asked
recollcctiug that the door through which he
had come had been open for several nights,
and that in the apartment, the library, l had
seen a light.
=" sit up late studying" he rejoined, ,evading
the remark. But | remember time when
for fourteen nights did not close my eyes a
time that makes all that ! am now able TO do
seem as nothing"
~" You are then an experienced nurse"
{" | learned in bitter school at the death
bed of my own mother. He spoke in sad
dened tone.
:" | should die too said /, glancing at the
bed while tears again filled my eyes. How
could you bear it -
81 bear it, that may he better fitted to
meet her hereafter She taught me submission
to the will of Him who doth all things right
! 9 Here ended the conversation for this time.
After vain endcav0r again to induce me to
rest, he retired, leaving the door slightly ajar.
| compared my violent grief with the chastened
sorrow of this piouS son. His bereavement
was recent, | knew for when he first came to
B---he was dressed in deep mourning,
had never inquired of whom. TIE invalid
stirred in his sleep, stood 10y him and, as
pressed my lip to his brow, nwardIy resolved
" too will bear it, that may meet you in a
happier world"
The much dreaded blow did not fall; symp
) toms Of amendment appeared, gradually
, strength and health returned | was agair
free to follow my former habits Of thought and
action, but had little inclination to do so. My
feelings had Undergone change they llowec