The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-12-21

QlspatcneQ ner Will tuc Coiu.
Frank Webster--for, as the reader may
have guessed it was he-leaning on the
pillar in sad a reverie.
NY words were prophetic he said to
himself; my destiny is not destiny; it
began and is ended. And there is an end
oft. Shadows began at nothing. Three
times three hundred and sixty-fvo suns has
this dial recorded, and yet there is the
shadow stll-silent, sombre-slowly NOV
ing as ever. SO with myself, have gone
the round of the years, and have come back
only to gaze on the symbol Of my own
fate. Roll on, shadow !-time and tide
to thee are nothing. The dunn authority
ends where it began, and begins where it
ended.
While he was thus morbidly meditating
girl addressed him, saying, pleas, sir,
missus sent you this and she presented
him half crown.
'Alms he cried, as the red blood man.
tied his forehead, take IL awayP
His look frightened the girl, so, throw
ing down the coin, she hastened away.
'And has it come to this he groaned 7?
'and on this spot too, sacred to the memo.
ry Of my happiest days! Oh, Lucy, may
you never know the misery that has fallen
on mep
He was about 10 hasten away when
the girl returned, saying her mistress did
not mean to affront the gentleman.
who is your mistressp he asked.
Miss Dixon, sir, replied the girl.
L. Il
Miss Dixon, the mliner,' said the girl
Lucy Dixonl exclaimed Frank, intero-
gatively.
'Missu's name is Lucy, SIR replied the
girl.
Not marriedr exclaimed the fallen
man, and true to me. And what am 1 |?
A wandering vagabond, about to enlist at
the nearest depot. My shadow is now
black indeedp
He could no longer restrain himself, so,
leaning on the sun-dial, tho hot tears gush-
ed from his eyes anl he sobbed aloud.
The girl stood petrifed, but in few
seconds Frank mastering his emotion by a
great effort, picked up the half crown, and
pressing it passionately to his lips, turned
to the servant, and said:
Tell LUCY mean tell your mistress
that will wear this next to my heart,
in remembrance of her goodness, till my
dying hour. Is Miss Dixon well
Yes SIR was the reply.
And happvF he asked.
'Yas, sir, she's got a nice fine shop
said the girl; yonder it is.'
E,opl- 1aolral - tbo l;.oot,o,, ,oA,ookaI
and perceived neat little shop window,
graced by somo choice article Of feminine
attire.
Il woulu not see ner Tor the worlu. ono
would dispisc me- he muttered. Tell her
said he to tho girl, that tho stranger will
ask for blessing on her head evnry hour
Of his existence so saying he walked out
Of the churchvaid, and took tho road that
led away from Lucy's abode.
The girls incohercnt account, coupled
with what she had witnessed in tho church,
yard threw Lucy in state of violent ag-
itation. The strangers knowledge of her
extreme emotion, and Franks long silence
raised an extraordinary suspicion in her
mind.
1T must DO Frank she exclaimed, and
hurriedly putting on her bonnet, she ran
down tho road with tho speed Of a fawn.
Shc soon overlook tho wandercr, and one
glance at his face, although pale and cma.
ciated, was sufficient.
Frank, dear Frank she cried rs she
laid her hand upon his arm.
LucyP he paused, and fell senscless in
tho road. The shock had exhausted his
strength.
Loudly calling for assistance, somo la
borcrs approached and carried the insensible
form of tho withered but once handsome
Frank Webster to tho nearest inn, where
he was speedily put to bed, and Lucy des-
patched messengers for medical assistance.
For weeks poor Frank lay lowering be-
tween life and death. Lucy, tho gentle,
hopeful Lucy, was all tho time his tender
and loving nurse. How great was her
joy when he was pronounced out Of dan
ger! She bowed down her head, and as
tears glistcncd in her eyes, her lips NOV
cd, but only one know the language they
b,eathed.
When Frank was sufficiently recovered
he related his adventures. After he left
London ho procured employment as copy
ist in an attorneys Office. In that situation
ho faied for he was continually making
blunders. Ho then became strolling
player, and being tho worst actor in the
company, only received bread and water
salary. On the breaking up Of tho compa
ny no resolved to enlist as soldier; but
an unconquerablo desire to visit his native
place once moro to behold his beloved Iu.
cy, seized him, and he travelled two hun.
dred miles on foot fer that purpose. Tho
st to Of apparel induced him to abandon
tho latter object and merely pass through
tho village without disgracing her, or
wounding her feelings by his woeful ap-
pearanec.
Some days afterwards Frank said to Lu-
cy:
when contrast what have done
with what you have done. how humlia-
tingly feel! You tried 10 do what You
could do and havesuccecded. tried to do
what could not do, and have failed, and
deservedlv so; for my eyes are open now
Hope for tho better, said Lucy sweetly.
You have passed through the severe ordeal,
but the experience you have gathered will