Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-07-28

THE TWO BROTHERS.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
It was a pleasant little building, at thi
foot Of a steep hill that lowered up be
hind it, crowned at its summit with ma.
oles, whose broad branches lifted them
selves proudly up, showing through their
thick foliage bright patches Of blue. Here
beneath the shelter Of jagged rocks, bios
sOmed the fret wild flowers of spring,
wakened into life by the suns early kisses,
and the music of Holian strains-and
here in this sequestered spot, two broth
ers first saw the light Of day.
Herbert and Eugene Wellington were
the only offspring of kind and indulgent
parents. From infancy a marked differ
ence existed between the two. Herbert,
the eldest, was as beautiful and delicate
as any little fairy, possessing regular
features, a small ruby mouth, and laxen
ringlets, that floated lightly over the dim
pied shoulders; his voice was peculiar,
soft and sweet. With evident interest he
canght the why and wherefore of all 60
ing on about him. Learning to him was
nature-no effort.
Eugene, two years his junior, was as
different as one can well conceive. 4
short thick figure, black hair, nearly as
stiff as the tasseled pine; eyes large and
staring, and at times full Of the most in
tense mischief, with a skin as dark as any
Creole's; nor did the contrast between
the brothers end here. AT play Eugene
wore his cap wrong side before-trousers
tucked up above his knees, while the soiled
and tore upper garments told sac tales of
climbed fences and falls innumerabie :
out OF doors was his realm-a book he
hated, and at the age Of seven had nearly
mastered his alphabet.
1t is needless for US to say who was the
~faNorite. A fathers pride, a mothers
love entered on the eldest-ard yet Eu-
gene was not neglected. The very knowI-
edge of the preference existing in their
hearts, made them more scrupulous in
their attentions. Yet inpatient exclama.
tons were continually ringing in the DOOR
boys ears. He knew and felt the differ
ence between them; the first was @ pour.
ing forth of priceless jewels; the second
the measured payment due. But within
Eugenas bosom beat a warm and gener.
Gus heart that had not yet learned tc
covet-he loved and admired Herbert
whose willing slave he had ever been.
Herbert will make a stir in the world
one Of these days" Mr.. Wellington would
often remark to his wife, as he glanced al
the studious child. and now, my little
man." he would say, turning to Eugene
what will you do? Stay at home and
work for v0nr fathar p:
The boy thus addressed would usually
smile, droop his head, and go off in the
darkest corner of the room to muse by
himself. There would be a strange chok
ing in his throat, he hardly knew why OF
for what. and his cheek would flush and
warm, and his dark eyes beam with q
troubled light.
Herbert, with his white fingers, would
carefully turn the leaves of the huge vol
ume before him, his thoughts far off in
the future, revelling in the golden dawn
which young ambition eyer sees in the
first bright dreams of greatness. Be
careful parent! such blossoms needs the
most intense watchfulness, lest the one be
dwarfed, made rebellious, miserable; or
the natural beauties of the other run To
seed before maturity comes, lest he grows
wise in his own ~conceit, selfish, and weak.
Years pass. The little Eugene no lon
ger plays about the door; he is of i'll lhe
field, hard at work, day in and day out
good honest Eugene!
Herbert has become a fine scholar. bet
ter even than the village pedagogue.-
There he is seated in the front room Of
the cottage, where the mellow twilight
steals in and kisses his smooth brow 10 y
racked with thought; books, papers, man
uscripts lie before him unheeded; he has
pushed them impatiently back, and i,
now alone with his thoughts. Alone did
| say :? A slight form steals in and stands
unnoticed by his side.
What now, my son? Something i.
troubling you. Ihave known it this long
time; but you have been SO silent and Sc
re8erYed-it is well ?" Her tones were
broken and full of tenderness.
Dear mother, forgive me, but I an
very unhappy. l would be off and min
gle in the world-be a man, no longer
the dreaming youth. would earn riches
mother. Oh, the pleasure Of pouring
them at your feet!-to see you a lady
too :"
Herbert, labor is not degrading sale
his mother; love ennobleS all toll.
am content with my treasures"
But mother, you forget you and faith
err are growing old. For years We have
but barely lived, having TO be sure, TIA,
necessaries Of life, but none of its luxu
ries; and as for Eugene,''-and the nam,
was spoken with a slight contempt no
intended" he'll never be Of much ben
eft"
"Ohl Herbert" interrupted his moth
er, Eugene has paid half Of your schoo
bills. | know the sum was small, bu