Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-04-14

u"H muster AT an early age, Reared N
the path Of honor and integrity 10y a wise
father, ! remembered and treasured his
counsels long after the lips that uttered
them were crumblng into dust
Ihe old lawyer, under whom studied,
had niece she wls the heircss of fine
estate, which was unjustly held from her
! by male relative Her uncle had given
her house, and instituted suit to recoy.
er her property.
Della llallet was seventeen when first
! beheld her, and thought the loveliest Of
her sex. ! will not attempt to describe the
charms which made me her slave; suffice
1t to say, ! loved her with my whole being.
81 sought every opportunity of securing
her society, and our acquaintance soon ri,
pened into intimacy. NV love was told
and accepted Della promised to be my
wife on one condition, and that was, if she
gained her lawsuit, as her fortune would
then nearly equal my own.
IL endeayored in vain TO combat this
resolution, She was firm against all my
entreaties, she acknowledged her love for
me; but in the same breath told me
should never call her mine so long as she
remained beggar.
81 left her with the determination to
exert all my energies in her cause. An
imated with this idea, at once offered nv
service to her guardian they were oyfullv
accepted, We labored together. The tri-
al day came-the case was severely contes-
ted-the result gave us a decided victory.
bore the news Of our success of Della.
IL have no thanks to speak" she said.
laying her hand in mine, this is YOUR re,
ward"
The wedding day was fixed. With what
JOY | awaited the approach of this event.
full period. Time passed on slowly enough
| to my eager anticipation. The eve of the
day came ] was sitting in my office,
when a servant brought me the alarming
intelligence that Della had disappeared, no
one knew whittier. At the same time he
! placed in my hand n note addressed to
me, in her well known handwriting:
"EDwARD-Forgiye me for having so long
deceived you. ! never loved YOU. ! am
about to elope with him who alone possess.
es my heart Pardon her whom YOU have
so often called you DELLA"
! sat in my chair in state of stupor.
holding the fatal paper firmly cenched
in my hand, while the moments passed by
unheeded. Heaven only knows how long
| should have remained thus if had not
been disturbed by the entrance of her
guardian.
He noticed my distraction at once and
inquired the cause. | gave him the letter
silently. ! could not speak, my heart was
in my throat, and choked my utterance.
Could have wcpt | should have been re-
/ loved.
He read the note; as he did so. the
greatest astonishment was depicted on his
face. When he had finished, he eXcaim-
cd
at is impossible, she never would have
acted thus"
as not this her writing?" gasped I.
He scrutinized the note, word for word,
and his countenance fell as he replied
at is very like"
You cannot deny it.
"The resemblance is very great, yet let
us not be too hasty Edward | will hasten
home and ascertain the truth wait un-
til | return"
lie was gone. | had no intention Of
awaiting his return. The demon of dis
pair was in my soul, and could not bear
to look on familiar things. wrote line
to my tutor, leaving my property TO his
charge, and gathering up what money
had in the Office hurried away.
That afternoon | took the cars for New
York. On my arrival there, found the
city filed with volunteers for the army in
Mexico. joined them and obtained a
captains commission.
have little more to tell Since then
have led a soldiers life. | have couted
death in many fray, and escaped without
a wound. | cannot drive the image of her
whom | so fondly loved, and who so base
! ly deceived me- from my mind. She has
/ been the cause Of the everlasting grief that
consumes me. Something tells me that
| tomorrow my heart will be at rest"
He ceased speaking, wrapped his cloak
close about him. and laid down to sleep.
became absorbed i'll train of thoughts, as
reflected over his singular history, but
before | could come to any definite con
clusion, slumber surprised me.
Day was just breaking as awoke from
my nap. had been dreaming tho't
! had discovered the runaway Delia-res-
tored her to the arms of the distracted
Archer, and was receiving their grateful
thanks, when, opening my eyes, discov-
cred young lad shaking me by the shoul-
der.
sprang to my feet and asked him what
he wanted. He was an afiectionate look
inglittle fellow with curly brown hair, and
the prettiest blue eyes | ever saw. His
forehead looked careworn, and there was
an expression of deep sorrow upon his
youthful face.
"Where is Captain Archer?" he asked
in answer to my interrogation.
"Yonder," replied, pointing with my
sword, towards the forlorn hope which
was forming for the attack
"Can | speak to him?" he enquired.
Before | could answer the word was given
to advance.
"After the lttle," cried, as hurried
; forward to take my place in the advancing
! column.
Y THAT will be too late" | heard hin
: scream as ! hurried away.
l The assault was over. The remnant o