The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-05-26

speaking; and then he arose to his feet
but he made her no reply.
'Henry-are you offended
No. he said. He returned her kiss
and, without another word, left bis house
and went to his store.
How strangely did circumstances work
to keep the idea his wife had given bin
alive in bis mind. That very morning
he met youth-the son of one of his
wealthy friends-in a state of wild intox
icatiop; and during the forenoon be heard
that Aaron G. had died at sea-
He knew that Aaron had been sent away
from home that be might be reclaimed.
After the bank had closed, and as Hen
ry Seaburn was thinking of going to his
dinner, be received note through the
Penny Post 1t was a from medical
friend, and contained request that he
would call at the hospital on his way
home. This hospital was not much out
of his way home, and he stopped there's
There is man in one of the lower
wards who wishes to see yon, said the
doctor.
Does be know me ? asked Seaburn.
He says be does.
what is his name!
He won't tell us. He goes by the name
of Smith; but | am satisfied that such is
not his true name. He is in the last
stage of consumption and delirium. He
has lucid intervals, but they do not last
long. He has been here a week. He
was picked up in the street, aud brought
here. He heard your name, and said he
knew you once
Mr.. Seaturn went TO the room where
the patient lay, and looked at him. Sure
ly lie never new that man! There must
be some mistake, be said.
TIE invalid heard him, and opened bis
eyes, such bloodshot, sunken, unearthly,
looking eyes.
Harry be whispered, trying to lift
himself upon his elbow. Is this Harry
Seaburnl
That is my name
And don't you know me!'
I'm sure | DO not And he would
have said that he did not wish to, only
the man seemed SO utterly miserable that
he would not wound what little feeling be
might have left.
Have you forgotten your old play ymate
10 boyhood, Harry-your friend in other
years-your chum in collegel'
What gasped SeaburD, starting back
aghas for glimmer of the truth burst
upon him. This is not Alec Lombers =
'Al that'o left of him. my Hail. return
ed the poor fellow, putting forth his was
ted skeleton hand, and smiling faint,
quisering, dying smile. 'Ah-Pater,
Peccari p
Alexander Lomberg = said Henry, ga
zing into the bloatcd, disfgured face be-
fore him.
You wouldn't have known me, Hall'
Good Heavehs-no!
L know | am altered. All, Hal, sac
transit gI0ri0 n1unoi y
But, Alec. cried Seaburn, how is this?
Why arc you here!
Rum, Hal-Rum! I'm about done for.
But | wanted to see you. They told me
you lived not far away; and would look
upon one friend before | died.
But heard you were practising in
your profession, Alec, and doing WE'LL
so | did do well when [ practiced, +,
Hal. [ have made some pleas; but I've
given up all that
And your father--where is be?'
Don't mention him, Hal We've bro.
ken. I don't know him. He taught me
to drink Aye-he taught me land
then turned the cold shoulder upou me
when drank too much But-I'm GO
ing, Hal, going, going!
Henry Seaburn gazcd into that horri-
bic face and remembered what its owner
bad been; the son of wealthy parents; the
idol of fond mother; the favorite at his
school, at play, at college; light of in
tellect and physical beauty aud noble
generous friend. And now--Alas!'
'Alcc--can help your
Yes And the poor fellow started
higher up from his pillow, and something
of the old light struggled for moment
in his eye. pray for me, Hal. Pray
for my soul Pray that may 60 where
my mother is! She won't disown her
boy she couldn't have done it if she lived
Oh she was good mother Hal. Thank
God she didn't live to see this I Pray for
me, pray pray Let me go to her
As the wasted man sank back be fell
to weeping, and in a moment more one of
bis paroxysms came on, and he began to
rave. He thought Harry was his father,
and be cursed him; and cursed the habit
that bad been fastened upon him under
that fathers influence But Henry could
not stop to listen. With an aching heart
be turued away, and left the hospital
He could not 60 home to dinner then.
He walked down town, and got dinner
there. At night he went to the hospital
again. He would inquire after bis friend,
if he did not see him.
Poor fellow. said the physician, 'he
never came out of that ft. He died in
half an hour after you went out
TWAS dark when Henry Seaburnreach-