Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-15

With vengeance aHu ne was Inc more al
gry and severe because he began to see that
bis neighbor was right. This was the har
dest of all And then Tim Lander took it
so meekly, and went away with such a
meaning shake of the head, that the angry
man was forced to use the more powder in
order to keep up the fire.
When Mr.. Edgarton left the kitchen his
feelings were not at all improved He had
given his wife a touch of his wrath, and
that did not help him any. He went out
and looked at the shed, and when he came
to view it from the upper side of the yard,
and consider the amount Of snow and ice
which would be melted away in the Spring,
he saw that it would have been much better
had he set it some higher; but he would
not alter it now-no. not had all the snow
in Christendom melted and run through it.
And this feeling didn't help him any. He
went into the barn, ana got angry with his
cattle, and even inanimate things he threw
around as though he would vent some Of
his spleen upon them. At supper time he
was not himself but only sort Of incarna-
ton of the evil spirit which had taken pos
session Of him. If he had reflected he
would have seen that his neighbor had not
spoken even single word that should have
given offense; but that all the ill-feeling had
been on his part, and, also that all the real
cause of such feeling had had its rise and
growth in his own bosom.
Such was one Of the scenes in Mark Ed
cartons life, and it was only sample of
those which were continually occurring
He contrived to keep himself angry and
miserable the greater part Of the time, and
those who were brought into close contact
with him had to suffer more or less. And
he grew worse instead Of better-he grew
SO fractions and fiery that his family found
but little real enjoyment in his society
His wife tried to show him how wicked and
foolish he was, but he would not listen,-
He only got angry at her 'meddling," and
babe her mind her own business.
There was only one individual in the
world to whom he never spoke harshly if he
could possibly govern himself, and that was
Lottie-his only daughter. She was thir-
teen years of age-a blue eyed fair-faced
almost fairy in form and feature-only too
fragile and light for the hard battle Of life.
She had always chung to her father with
strange love, and he had borne her in his
arms as precious burden, and breathed
carefully upon her lest an untoward blast
might wither the flower and blight it.
One day Mark Edgarton took Lottie in
his arms, and carried her to her bed, and
laid her upon it. She was not well, and
she gave token Of it in her looks, as we'll as
in her speech. They sent for the doctor,
and when he came, he said it was only a
slight trouble, and that she would soon
overcome it. But at the end Of week she
was no better, and finally it was evident
that the frail flower was whitening away
Day after day, and week after week, she
lay upon her couch fading, fading all the
time. For a while there was hope Of recov-
cry, but this was cut off now, and those
who watched by the sufferers side looked
hourly for the coming Of the Angel.
It was early morn, and as those who had
watched through the night went to seek
their rest, Mark Edgarton came and sat
down by the side Of his child. She was
awake and he spoke to her. She smiled,
but did not answer further. AT length she
reached forth her thin, white hand, and res
ted it within his broad palm.
Father she said in tone Of sweet,
soft music, 'syou do not like to see Lottie
suffer-"
"No-no," whispered Mark, earnestly
II shan't suffer much more father. |
shall very soon be where there is no more
suffering or sorrow. But-father
s.Well, Lottie ?"
She gathered her weakened fingers about
her hand. and gazed earnestly into his face.
Her large blue eyes were full Of light and
over her pale face there seemed to come
glow, as though the spirit within were try
ing to gain stronger hold upon its mortal
tenement.
Father" she murmured, t'you could
make me very happy"
II, darling? Just tell me how"
eff I could only know that iou would al
ways be happy"
II, Lottis? I should be happy if you
were WE'LL"
"Ah-no, father" and the dying girl
clasped his hand more tightly, and gazed
earnestly into his face.
"What do you mean, darling?"
"O-father-does it make you happy to
get angry, and let your passion be 50 strong
and violent 7"
The man knew not what to reply Had
another spoken to him so, his answer would
have been quick and summary but he dared
not-he could not-he would not answer
Lostie thus. But finally he said
know am sometimes quick my pre-
cious one, but let not that trouble you now"
s.But it does trouble me, father. lay
and think Of it long hours together, and |
think that you, who have been SO kind to
me, ought to be more kind to yourself"
s'Tut, tut, Lottie. You don't know what
you are talking about. I can't help my
disposition
'.But you would always be kind in my
presence?"
"Of course I should
ssThen will always be with youif can.
OIL will try to have God let me come to
you. Father-father father you would
always think Of your little Lottie when you
are going to feel angry, and think that she
loved YOU, and would rather not have you
speak those harsh words O.! if you
would only think SO! Papa-papa-kiss me !
II love you very much, papa. You have
slways been very good to your little hot