Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-02-16
EDGEFIELD, S. .sEFEBRUARY Is, 1859.

udnheliesing-and like the diamond, shining
brightest in the darkestand most gloomy place
Many were the offers Of marriage received
by the beautiful Estell. The most noble, gifted
and wealthy Of our land sought an alliance with
the young and lovely Mrs. Stuart. But heI
answer was to all alike; II am not insensible
to the compliment You pay me, nor the honor
you would confer, though cannot accept your
proposal. should be deceiving you and per
iurins myself before my Maker, for I have nc
heart to give in return for the one you offer
me-"
cdr. Allston is dying" "Eusticc Allston is
dying! His Physicians saysbe cannot possibly
live more than twenty-four hours at the far
therest" Such were the exclamations that
rang through the streets of Windham, spreading
CONSERVATION through the quiet town. For
very. few knew of the Doctors illness, and the
few who knew of his being sick did not suppose
him dangerous. And now he was dying! not
yet twenty-five years of age, and about to pass
away from earth! Two years before, he had
married a lovely girl, little more than child
in years, and almost ethereal in her frail lowell
nesy ~ Zoo pure fftN esrt y many said, and SO
bit pkVh One ye;9 ilad passed-onh short
blissfGl year, since ANY Calbcrt, 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 few short
moments only.
Il is the old story, told ten hundred thousand
times, still always ncw. Light feet tread *ois-
lessly over the thickly 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 Allotou had been happy before very
very happy had he been for the last year-ever
since he brought his lovely orphan bride home
to his princcly dwelling. But this new happi-
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 the pallid cheek
Of the frail child mother.
aI.et lis name our baby for your saintcd
mother Eus,ice Let us call Ler Alice" and
the voice of Amy .Allston was low and feeble as
she turned her head lal,guidly toward her Lus-
band. We'll, darling, we will call our little
S.--s,.iru e sly 50; and lsY try I. slcep..
for YOU nert, rest. 10u sio douhs .,,o.;. .l,,s 20
me now, AMI | must take all possible care of
you not only for my sake but for the sake of
our child as we'll"
SOU cAi!d," what music in those two words.
What world Of joy, and hope, and happiness
they conveyed to the heart of Amy The deli
cate, blue-ycinc1 hands were cla,rsd in prayer,
PRAYER to tue Almighty for a blessing upon
the head of him who had called that lluttcring
tnywee thing sour child" But, alas young
mother and joyous. happy father alas, for the
lesser life that has absorbed the greater.
Watcllful, tender eyes are there, but they do
not see the death Angel Tapping his murky wings
above the maternal cjuch. Already The bright
golden .rinslets arc damp wits the dews Of DEATH
The delicate buc-vcincl hands unc'asp nerve
lessly; the azure eyes are turned 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 unguished prayer Of Eusticc
Allston. In his lone agony he strove 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 waing voice tollcd out the
hours Of midnight. The little crib was placed
beside his 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 tue 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 pratler had
commenced to call him dear papa" and cling
about his neck in her infantve 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, tue eldest broth.
er of Estell, as he entered the sitting room with
nm open note in his hand.
GWi,bes TO see me, Hiram ?'
HYes. Sister, he wishes to see yon' Why dc
YOU luuk 10 as,unisIled. Don't YOU recoIlec'
Eustice ~
"Yes, recollcct him perfectly; but shs'
Gun he possibly want to see me about 2"
swell, to tell you the truth, Estrll; believe
he wants you % take charge Of his littls
daughter"
81 will go directly, Hiram. Wlllyuu accom-
pany me?"
Certainly will. But make Taste or W.
may be too late"
In less than an hour Hiram and Estell were
standing beside the bed of Dr.. Allson.
{" How do you feel now, Eustice ?" enquiret
Hiram.
"I am sinking rapidly. feel and know it.
Then moving his eyes from Hiram to Estcll, HI
continued, 81 have sent for you, Mrs. Stuart
to implore, as dying request, that you vii
take nv Child and be as mother to her.
have no relations with whomI would he willin!
4 fl,o only fY