Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-07-21
A WIFR'S DIsTRESSES.
[COncluded.1


Seventeen years passed over-years spent 10
close economy, in careful thought over every
small outgoing, and anxious attention for Ell
len, now growing up. Nothing more had
heard of Arthur Since the day we parted, my
life had been calm, but it had been the calm oi
melancholy The blow l had received could
not be effaced-there were dreams, visions that
beset me night and day, and destroyed my rest
Still young, l was broken in health, and neede
comforts my means could not now procure
But had truly learned the lesson Of advefaity,
and felt how much more our happiness depends
on our internal resources, than on outward
means
As far as my circumstances would admit
Ellen received good education; it was my
boa that at least she was brought up as a gen
tlewoman, and that let the worst come, she
was worthy of her hire as a govtrness- she
was qualified 10 earn livelihood l learnt q
little of the few surviving memt ers OF my fam
ily, and that little not to their advantage
One uncle knew was very rich, but l had
neither thu necessity nor the desire to ask his
bounty, He lived mostly in Ireland, and wa,
rcputed popular among his tenants II was thu
beginning of summer remember well thC
evening Ellen and | were sitting in the iul
glory OF the sunset when letter was delivered
to me, containing the startling intelligence o
my uucle's death, and the discovery of a will
giving all his property to me. | was not.
| had not been for seventeen years greedy iO
money; but the power, the Influence, the re
sources of wealth were not lost on me, and II
| that moment 1 was overcome with thankful
ness. Half my anXieties and cares these long
years had been pecuniary, and now. thank llea
ven, they were past.
The LAWYERS letter recommended an imme
/ Il. 70
si,ns Ellen and l speedily prepared for ou
Journey, and were soon en- pOyage X ligreen
my uncle's mansion, was perfect type of al
| Irish residence village attached to the estat
"a park in neglected condition. large ramb
! ling house, bearing marks of its open, universe
use and accOmmOdation-its furniture decaye,
its retainers and servants out of number
dogs and horses breeding and increasing in il
| paddocks and kennels--every sign of proiuse
ness and neglect; and ct the real value ofthe Oh
tate was large $1,000 a year. free from any draw
backs or deductions There was no doubt abou
the bequest-the will was clear and distinct
$40 my neice, Mrs Norman, bequeath all m
estates, lands, and hcreditsaments.' Ou
reign commenced. The lucal newspaper teen
ed with the accounts of the great rejoicings a
the revived fortunes of the present po SCISSORS
All the neighbors of Importance did us the hon
or of visit. For months, kilhgrecn was a seen
of festiyity and rejoicing. Ever, thing abou
the place, as far as possible, was kept as itwal
It was about six months after we had been i
possession, as Ellen and | were examinn
some old books in the library, observed Ellie
pick up paper that fell frop an old volum.
and read it with apparent interest; suddenly
she uttered a shrek, and fell lainting on tn
carpet was naturally alarmed, and anxious
ly raised her from the grounds My darling
what is the matter'
"The will the will" was all she uttered; an
taking the paper from the ground, read ou
doom in a moment. The deed was of q late
date than that acted upon, and reversing q
former bequests bequeathed the entire estate
TO a Hospital for tho Blind. / could hArdl
breathe--l could barely understand where
was. Was it not dreaml-a phantasy oflh
night Surely was at HomgTaye, in our o
cottage; and Killigreen and all its wealth mi,
night fancy. II otherwise, how could / retur
10 the Tightiul pOsscssOrs what had spent
the lavish expenditure Of the last few month
Here is the paper, but what is to prevent me
a moment from destroying all evidence Of 4
altered intentionl Aud indeed he temptation wi
strong. / held in my hands the destiny ofm
self and daughteT--the title-deed 20 fOftuT
and happiness, or to distress and care; hu
thank Heaven in that moment my better ang
preserved me from sin | dare not think Of
Ellen and !, though bathed in tears, were ?
solved not a moment should be lost 10 place d
recovered will beyond the power Of destructio
We wrote to our lawyer, enclosing the do
, unent, and praying him to act as quickly
possible; we wished to retire from our ial
position at once. Judge OF the morality Of d
man when we received for answer his advice
keep the matter secret
{ There was no moral necessity for Us,
wrote, to injure ourselves; it was the dutV
those whom IL concerned 10 urge their claim
= Seeing his obtuseness, wrote TO the sscretar
TO the hospital, telling nay story, aud prayiu
for immediate action 1t was not long la ta
ing place. An order to surrender the hou
aud estate came within forty eight hours. al
not long after, claim for the rents receive
: Then felt the bitterness Of our Lotto resir
all voluntarily, and then 10 be called on 20 :
produce what was gone. My lawyer, after d
surrender Of our claim, abandoned ail attehti,
to our case and left us TO the hands Of our su
cessoTs As apubc body, they had no indivi
ual feeling. and acted on so called disinteTest,
grounds suffice il 10 say, that we quilted h
estate impoverished more than wheu we can
y there Ny anunity, small ss il was before W
eaten up by the law-expenses and other ohhrR
on surrender One month later, we we're aga
la our old quarters at HorngAve. No long
independent, Ellen was now forced 10 ca
something 10 complete our livelihood, al
doubly thankful was that she conld do 80
She bore bTayely up against our misfortune
the very necessity for action seemed 10 bra
N her. But my cup was not yet full