Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-11-17

home; there was no ink in my aunt's ink
stand, SO asked the purse to get some
! She left the room, and josiah presently
I came in with bis own inkstand, and placed
it before me. l wrote my note, which he
undertook to send. and then be carried his
inkstand off with him.
Somehow. could never get any ink kept
in my aunt's inkstand, and whenever liz
quired for ink Josiah was sure to come into
the room.
Il soon discovered that every movement
of mine was closely watched; but it was III
done SO clevery and naturally, that had not
word 10 say.
'One morning, Josiah was sitting in the
room with my aunt and myself; had been
up several times in the night and was in a
sort of haif-doze. when heard my sunt ad
dress Josiah N low tone:- She has been
l.xerv good TO me during ms 4 illeesss3 3Eiringg
Up her time so entirely. You feel that, Jo-
siah, cont you!'
Yes, aunt
Then. Josiah, forgive her, for my sake
'For your sake aunt, d, forgive her.
sYou hear that,' said my aunt to me-
Josiah forgives you
From the bottom of your heart--say so,
Josiah
From the bottom of my heart echoed
Josiah: hut could see the scowl on his face
as he spoke.
Il must do something for her. continued
my aunt.
! "Oh, aunt, exclaimed Josiah, starting
| from his seat and coming to the bedside,
shavint been always affectionate and at
tentiye, and dutiful, Did marry against
your commands. Did spurn your kind
nessp
a-s.You have been very good. Josiah--very
good replied my aunt, Il only want to do
some little thing for her, because she has
been SO attentive during this illness
.sMy pride was aroused, and but fer the
fear of over exciting my aunt, should have
declined any return for what was merely
nv duty.
.. can't give her any money, I've sworn
not said my aunt, addressing Josiah.
ssYou did swear it, be replied very de-
.iberaiely, 'Mr. Chapman was witress'
But there are the diamonds, Josiah
1.-The diamonds he exclaimed, raising
his voice
81 could give the diamonds, Josiah
"'What, your own diamonds, aunt, said ne
(which you have always worn!
ssThey're not money Josiah.
ssBut she married out of the family. Your
diamonds go to slrangersp
q could not endure this. begged of my
aunt to let Josiah rave the diamonds.
She shall have the diamonds!' said my
auat tpesessesesily--sG and get them, L.
siah;' and with some difficulty; she took of
her neck the key Of the drawer.
8. osiah, much to his discomfort, was lore
ed to obey; he went to the boudoir, and
brought in the diamonds, which he placed
on the bed.
1 was So dreadfully afraid of some scene
taking place. which knew wcud be very
prtjudicial 10 my aunt, that was greatly
relieved at the doctor being announced.
sThere,' said my aunt. pushing the case
toward me with great effort, Il said they
should be youIs the first day bought item,
if you were good girl, you have been vely
good during this illness; take them; and co
what you like with them.'
sOne word,' said Josiah, speaking to me;
snever forget those were once Aunt Janet's
diamonds, which she bought years ago
They are very precious to me. lfyou ever
desire TO part with them, or even modern
. ize the setting, let me know. | will strive
: to scrape money together to give the full
worth as they stand now
| Poor Aunt Janet! she little knew wha
[ she was doing when she gave me those
a diamonds.
. the doctor was quite right; my services
], we're not requiredverv long; another seizure
a took place; and after lingering few days
nv aunt died. The whole of the property
o was left to Josiah, with the reservation tha
i if he died without children, the land was tt
90 to my eldest son.
: sOf course, we kept up no intercourse
G with Josiah; but heard quite enough o
Y his goings-on to show that had formed I
# true estimate of his character. As soor
d as he came into his wealth, he began t.
1t lead very wild and dissipated life.
: when placed the diamonds in my hus
|. bands hands. told him that Aunt Jane
j. had given me the option of parting wit
IS them, which, if he thought advisable,
" should be very happy to do. as felt GU
IS circumstances would not permit of my wear
is ing them He would not listen to my pro
r, posal; he was not pressed for money. h
at said, and in lew years | might be full
r entitled TO wear them.
r. sAh, my love, am so glad that you ar
r not going TO marry man on that horri
Stock Exchange! Oh! the dreadful ankle;
I'd have undergone about Mr.. Huntly. ]
ne those days, he was without the experience
II, which be now possesses, and at tim
i. when steady business was very dull, b
in took to specializing on his own account an
ca on 5ehalf of others who were very cunnin
nd and plausible. 1t seemed that he was yer
! successful at first, and used TO be quit
as surprised at his elation os spirits. One da
o. he came home sadly downcast; he had la
SO very heavy losses, chiefly through the vi
90 lainy of client, whose debts my husbar
NJ was bound to make good He feared
ar would be necessary for me to part with Il
an diamonds. OF course, was only too git
s.. to think that we yet possessed the meal
is of setting things 10 rights.
nd According to my promise, resolved