Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-05-14

Al
his way out from the wood, and it had
been his custom to stop there and rest
Something must be the matter, for it was
early spring, and the weather was very
pleasant; and she resolved to go and see
at once.
When Nellie reached the hut, she
found tho old man sitting in his chair,
with his brow upon his hands. He seem
ed to be very weak, but Ia new light
CLEANED upon his face as I'D saw the sweet
look of his fair visitor.
matter Z" she asked, sinkAg upon her
knees before him, and taIs&g both his
hands in her own. She looked SO earn
estly, and SO tender, and so loving, the
old mans lips trembled for some moments
before he could answer.
6 have been quite SICK he finally
said.
Sick! And who has taken care Of
you ?"
Nobody"
"What! sick all alone?" cried Nellie,
with emotion. "Oh-why didn't | think
before? | ought to have known some
thing was the matter. But you shan't
be sick so any more, for will come eve
ry morning and evening, and take care
Of you"
But cannot pay you, my dear child, y
he said, gazing into her face with sort
Of bewildered look.
" You are naughty to talk so, sir, ;" she
returned. "Mcrcy on me, what should
be good for, if | couldn't help people
that needed it?"
=" But then you ought to have some
pay, child" And as Aaron spoke he
looked very sharply out of his little gray
eyes upon the lovely presence.
and don't | have pay, sir? Isn't
one word of gratitude from true heart
worth more than money? If you had
money, I'd hire somebody to come and
take care of you; but as you haven't got
any I'll do it myself. SO cheer up, and
let me be your nurse"
Nellie would hear no more argument,
but went at work as soon as possible t.
make the old man comfortable. She
made him some tea, and fixed up matters
as best she could, and finally took hel
leave. In the evening she came again,
and again in the morning.
In few weeks the Old Man of the
Wood could walk out, but ;..s.gs only BY
leaning upon Nellie's arm Sic had be.
come necessary to his very life, and the
only regret he ever expressed was that
he could not repay her.
:" Very we'll, sir" she would say,
"bring on your money, and III take il
and hire nurse for you, and turn my
attention elsewhere for there are plenty
that need nursing who have no money"
One evening, away into the summer.
time, old Aaron called Nellie to his side
and babe her sit down. Then he took ;
silver snuf-box from his pocket, and pat
ted it with his finger. 1t was old, anC
much worn, and quite large, and seemed
to have been onco deliberately engraved
though but little of the graver's worl
could be seen now
Listen to me, child" he said, "ant
be very attentive, for ] am going to tel
you something about this old silver box
Nellie knew by the old mans look that
he was going to tell her something O
Importance, So she drew her stool clcsC
up before him, and gave him her whole
attention
81 think great deal of this old thing,
he said patting the box familiarity. IN,
father gave il to me on his dying bed
1t was given to him by soldier, whom
he nursed in the woods after a battle. -
SO you see it is a sort Of memcnto 0
good--a kind Of pledge of gratitude. -
Well-when my father died ] was lef
all alone. Ny mother had died before
and never had any brothers or sisters
nor did my father have any but m,
mother had sistcr--a young sister VIII
has since been married. However, thi
young aunt did not have n home Of he
own then, and | was thrown out upol
the world. l went to sea, and visitet
foreign countries. l had very good for
tune, and then | had very ba6 fortune
j grew old and had no friends. Though
Of my aunt--the only relatiye'I had anc
went to her She was in a comfortable
home and had a wealthy husband bu
she did not wish to know her poor rela
tive She said she could not be bothered
with me; and left. Finally / founC
this old hut, and here ! determined t,
spend the rest Of my days. | had be
come sick of the world-of it's heartless
ness and falsehood-and / wanted e
leave it. | had vowed that / would give
this old box to the truest friend | eyoi
had but for long time ! feared / should
have to bury it in the ground Howev.
or, | shan't have to bury it now.
shall give it 10 you, my sweet child and
! know you will keep it as a slight token
of my love and gratitude. | can't live
long. and when / am dead and gone this
must be yours"
Nellie was deeply affected, and said
she hoped he would live a long time vet:
but still she promised to accept the box
and assured the old man that she would
prize it very highly.
Where do you go so often in the
woods? 2" asked Augustus Waxford, as he
sat ono evening at Nelie's side.
OIL have patient there she
rcplied--"poor old Uncle Aaron. lie
has been very sick. You must 20 with
me sometimes TO see him."
What Me go? No, no, Nellie
] am in better business than that. And
| wish you would not 60 so much"
- Nnl 20 Anrn.ins " tillnrcl IL