Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-02-16
EDGEFIRLD. Sd aE1FEBRUARY 1e, 1855.

/ uunheliesing--and like. the diamond, shinin
brightest in the darkestand most gloomy place
/. Many were the offers Of marriage received
by the beautiful Este1l. The most noble, giftet
and wealthy of our land sought an alliance will
the young and lovely Mrs Stuart. But he
answer was to all alike; "I ! am not insensibl'
to the compliment You pay me, nor the honor
you would confer, though cannot accept YOU
proposal. !, I should be deceiving you and per
juring myself before my. Maker, for l have ne
heart to give in return for the one you Offer
me-" ,1a's'i' -
$500 -
CDR. Allston is dyingw aEusticc Allston is
dying His Physicians sayhe cannot possibly
live more than twenty-four hours at the far
therest.n' Such were the exclamations that
rang through the streets of Windham, spreading
CONSERVATION through the quiet town. Fol
very, few knew of the Doctors illness, and the
few whS knew of his being sick die, not suppose
him dangerous. And now lie was dying! not
yet twenty-five years of age, and about to pass
away from. .earth!s Two. years before, he had
married a lovely girl, little more than child
in years. ana almost ethereal 10 her fral lowell
Resy Zoo :. s.r.h >, many sale, and SO
PIT pkVas One yes2 i.ad passed-onh short,
blissfGl year, since Amy Calbert, the lone, home
less orphan, had become the happy, cherished
wife Of Eustice Alston. And now, bright
blissful hopes were blossomng in that frail young
bosom; hopes to be realized for a few short
moments only.
It's the old story, told ten hundred thousand
times, still always new. Light feet tread 2ois-
lessly over the thicky carpeted floor, lights are
shaded, drawers opened and closed carefully,
quiet, blissful happiness pervades that chamber,
for the crown of motherhood has descended upon
the fair, almost childish brow Of Amy Allston.
Eustice Allstou had been happy before very
very happy had he been for the last year-ever
since he brought bis lovely orphan bride home
to'his princcly dwelling. But this new bappi-
ness, so different from anything lie had ever
known before this feeble infant life entrusted
to his keeping. In the excess Of his joy and
gratitude he knealt and kissed tho pallid cheek
Of the frail child mother.
aI.et us name our baby for your sainted
mother, Justice Let us call her Alice" and
the voice Of Amy Allston was low and feeble rs
she turned her head lanyuidly toward her hrs-
band. "Wel, darling, we will call our little
- ~ sad naK iss T. slsea p
me now, and must take all possible care Of
you; not only for my sake but for the sake of
our child as we'll"
-. Ou- child" what music in those two words.
What world Of jny, and hope, and happiness
they conveyed to the heart Of Amy. The deli
cate, blue.rciaed hands were cla,red in prayer,
prayer to the Almighty for blessing upon
the head of him who had called that nuttering
tinvwee thing our child" But, alas young
mother; and joyous, happy father alas, for the
lesser life that has absorbed the greater.
Watclful, tender eyes are there, but they do
not sec the death Angel Tapping his lnurky wings
above the maternal couch. Already the bright
golden ,rinslets arc damp witk the dews Of death.
The delicate blue-vcincd hands unclasp nerve
les,ly; the azure eyes are turhed heavenward,
gasp, slight tremor, and the Angel spirit OF
ANY Allston has flown to nestle in the bosom
Of our Saviour
"Father in heaven, make me submissive to
thy will" was the anguished prayer Of Eustlce
Allston. In his lone agony be stro7e to be both
father and mother to the little Alice. Often
times did he walk TUG floor with her in his
arms while the little wailing voice tolled out the
hours Of midnight. The little crib was placed
beside hts bed and the hired nurse slept in an
adjoining chamber. He had no female relative
to take charge of his treasure, and he could not
trust her to the care of stranger hands, for she
was the child of his dead Amy, and dear to him
as the apple Of his eye. And now, as the young
bud was expanding, just as the little prater had
commenced to call him dear papa" and cling
about lis neck in her nfantive love, he must 60
hence! There was agony in the thought. Not
that he feared to die, but what would become
Of his orphaned child.
cdr. Allston is dying, Sister, and wishes to
see you," said Hiram Douglass, the eldest BROTH
er of Estell, as he entered the sitting room with
on open note in his hand.
"Wishes to see me, Hiram q
HYes, Sister, he wishes to SEQ you' Why do
YOU luuk 40 as,unisheJ. Don't you reeollect
| Eustice 7p
"Ye,, recollect him perfectly; but Whist
can he possibly want to see lne about 2"
swell, to tell you the truth, Estelli lbelicye
he wants you % take charge of his little
daughter" -
"I will go directly, Hiram. Will yuu accom-.
paay me 2"
g Certainly will. But make haste or we
may be too late"
In less than an hour Hiram and Estell were
standing beside the bed Of DR.. Allston.
"How do you feel now, Eustice ?' enquired
Hiram.
"I am sinking rapidly. I feel and know it,
Then moving ,his eyes from Hiram to Estell, he
continued, 81 have sent for you, Mrs. Stuart
to implore, as dying request, that you will
take my child aud be as mother to her.
have no relations with whom would be willing