The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-04-15
From the New York Mercury.
Uncle Martins Story.
LEAF
From the Records OF Real Life.
By WILLIE E. PABoR.

"anto the end"
"What story" he asked, pausing mo
ment in his deyotions to the contents of a
pipe that had travelled from Stamboul to
America UiG California.
"The story you promised TO tell me long,
long ago. The reason why you are boche.
lor, il Imust be more explicit" I answered.
"Why and whereforel Let me see; the
question embraces an extent of twenty
years-nlmost your lifetime, is It mott"
! "Within lsstrum of it,"
"Well, It seems to me recollect some.
thing of this promise to you, and may as
well fulfill it now, and be done with it. But
do you know what you will heart"
"No, | do not; except th.t it will be inter
estings romantic, and" ...-..
ipaused.
"Somtthing, now" @ @
"And true" added. 'r
"Something more STILL"
"TheR tell me, for were to guess from
now till the rising sun wakens Cherry and
Blossom, aud recalls them from canary's
dream land, I could not guess aright."
"You will hear what no other person has
heard; you will see what no other person has
seen, except the one who gave it to ne
long, long ago." -a. -
As my uncle spoke. he laid aside his pipe,
and drawing up slender gold chain that
hung about his neck Gone Of my FIRST recol
lections is that chuin. When was child,
and was dandled upon his knee. it was my
delight to clasp it in my tiny fingers, and
try--all vainly-to get it into my posses.
yion,) revealed !ocket attached to the end.
Iooked up at him. and though there were
no traces OF d struggle going Oh within, /
felt sure that memory was busy at his heart
strihgs, and that picture Of other days was
before him.
II have not opened this since this day
last year. II is the h,iversarS Or dny of
sorrow to me, anl--ussocia;ed as it is with
this picture and The story ON about to re.
la,e-lhis seems most appropriate time.'
lie paused.
Hardly knowing how to answer him. did
the next best thing-reittained SILENT. wait.
ing for him to continue. Nay, as / saw
him attempt to open the locket, and then
prase, as il ashamed it might taAse embiions
which woGld unihah Him, turned ihy eyes
from him for a moment. When next my
glance rested upon him, the loeket was
open. ..... FL.
"Look at it, Wlllie.'
took it and glant ed at the Faee That met
my view. 1t was face which, at FIRST sight.
did not seem very beautiful; there was moth,
glorious in the beauty of the pictured fare.
But the more you gazed, the more you be.
came impressed-were you lookihg-wi,h
the sweetness that shone like Hesper's light,
from her dark browe1 eyes. A light scarf
was throw carelessly, yet grace 'ulIy, ever
her shou ders; lace collar rested about her
neck, and her lips seemed just on the eve OF
parting, as if to utter some sweet assurance
of affection "to one beloved" 5vEt
"What do you think of the picture!"
"The more look, the more like it. She
seems as il about to speak to me-"
"Shall I tell You what che spoke to me ?"
"Yes, please" ~ "
Uncle Martin took the locket, and touch
ing another spring, showed recess back Of
the portrait, from which he took q slip of
paper. 1t was yellow with age, and crump.
led, as though tears had fallen upon it. I do
not doubt but that tears had dropped upon it
in the years gone by.
"How does it read!'' he asked, as he handed
the slip of paper to me. -@.. .2f.~
| looked at il, and then at him. Then
I said: e .g
."Is there needl" "
ayes" was the low response. s.@
"Ihine nop; hike ever.''
The words fell slowly from my lips.
knew how the sound of them would affect
him, and was not surprised to see him bury
his face in his hands, aud give evidences OIL
deep emotion. "Surely,"I thought. us
looked at the face and the motto, "surely il
must have been more thanea slight cause
that brought about disseosion among hearts
that love a. my uncle must have loved
nearly score Of years has passed away
and YET the wound has not wholly healed.
"Yes," he at last said, "thsti is the way il
reads, or did read, once. Now, read it
somewhat differently" r a nj 6
elbow, uncle!" '- =
"IHiae? no! Thine? never!'' Il. n
Iscould NOT comment upon this construc'
tion. Ifelt ltthatit was a true rendering now
though once II might have been different"
"This l. lie meaning now," added my un
cls,as Il dNihing my thoughts. ,"Fhe les
time | looked stfthis slip Of paper, The word
seemed placed to read 80; hence my desire
j that you should fead them, II was an .op
4 tical delnsion, but the ssnse Of the sentencl
II is as have rendered it. She is rot Ati,te
4 she nevef Will be aias."
! dSIip back the paper in its hiding. place.
4 he added, after moment's pause. i:Slip
) back. md closs'the locaets Imussndt Iool
i on tasss face cssgain, dnyilutWg1ssmoAslF NJ
In Il s-A.s.aa. s.ts4L.I t4ihSa sllsl.Ak - as5Ag