Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-12-18


life as clerk in one Of The oldest esiab-
lished houses then in the city; where, by
industry and faithful attention TO the in
,eresis of his employers, he soon secured
an equal footing as one Of the firm; grad
ually accumulaling wealth, until he had
acquired sufficiency that warranted re-
tirement. About this time he met with
loss in the death OF bis wife, the period Of
which dated from The birth of an only
child, named Ellen, whom have intro
tuced. Succeeding the death Of his wife
came reverses in GOrtune,an he was hare
ly able, by close management, to secure d
competency for the remainder of his days.
In his opulence, he had rot neglected, with
lavish hand, to bpsiow upon his
child more han was necessary te qualify
her for any station in life.
| would not weary you with long re-
cital Of all that lraaspired; suffice TO say,
that my visits lapsed into frequency. The
love that | would have smo.hered, bet
now cherished, rendered me happy in
the knowledge that It was returned. |
found in her all that heart could wish, and
we lived only in the presence Of each 9th
er, setting in the sunlight Of glorious Iu'
tuTe.
An evening came, when | was startled
with the announcement that her father had
received intelligence from England that
required his presence there Immediately,
and she would accompany him. Sn sud-
den had been the determination, that but
two davs remained ere their departure.
During that time remainad with them as
much as my business would allow. The
evening before iheE departure came; but .
few shor! hours remained. Shall lGal
you Of The vows that were uttered OF
The feelings that welled up in broken-heart
gushings of the thoughts that spoke,
not in words, but in the molstened cheek
and ouiverng lip Of the final 'eOed-bye'
that found no uiterance, anu how | watch
ed the departing vessel until | could see
1t no longer
Alone, saw not the crowd which sur
rounded me Their busy hum fell upon
nv ears like the low murmurngs OF dis
tant sea. reached nv roon-was II
unmsnly ! sought relief in tears.
Al times. attributed my grief to weak
mess: reason told me it was untounded,
and would endeavor to control myself.
| had always ridiculed the idea OF
presenlimenrs. imagining them but the
emanatlons of diseased mind; but now
| felt them, and wondered that | should
Weld to their influence. That evening !
visited the place rendered deSolaie by thr
absence of her whose memory still love;
and as gazed upon ,he spot rendered
dear by trihing incident that resulted IN
such sweet association, the presemlmeni
came. In vain did summon all my en-
erges to the rescue; il rushed over my
MUD as dark cloud ruskes over the bo-
som ofIhe CLASSY and the silent precursor
Of an angry storm.
A month later received letter from
her, informing me of iheir safe arrival; al
so that they sholG be enabled TO return
much sooner than they had anticipated.
alt gives me pleasure, dear Walter, 10
know that in few short weeks We shall
meet again. look forward with hap
py assurance TO the bright future that a
waits US"
Instead of dispelling, it served TO in
crease the gloom that now enveloPed my
mind like funeral pail. 1t was remark
ed that | looked care-worn. sought Sc
cluSiOn. and COR that purpose left The city
for a quiet village on the sea-shOre, here,
a. a stranger, could find The solitude |
So desired, intending TO remain until near
ly the time they should arrive. Solitude
| found, but it brought no relief. Weeks
had passed since my arrival, and the eX-
pecied iime was near at hand. Through
all the gloom that surrounded me, still
looked forward with degree Of hope.
One night | was reused from my sleep
bv the tolhng of the Old church bell, ming
led with the sounds of hurrying feet; rals-
/ ing a sash, ! peered forth mo storm
that shook The building TO its foundation.
! !Iere and here | deserted a lantern. as 1t
passed hunledly onward toward The
beach. A few moments, and | mingled
with the crowd. Strong arms had Prece-
ded me; and there, upon the damp earth,
side by side, lay the few that had been
rescued from a watery grave.
Alta distance that rendered all efforts al
assistance useless, one solitary light be-
trayed the location of the stranded yes
sci. At intervals. above the roar OF the
elements, we could hear their shrieks Tor
help. Soon the solitary light was missed
and the sounds Of their voices 1ere heard
no n ore.
Conveyanccs had arrived for the reno.
val of the bodies. saw them lifted, one
bv one Tho foabla L. rb, of ,ba lor,arnS