The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1860-02-02

bdklnG VI tOls CVNUtCN-----
But nothing eau happen to prevent you. faith.
en-" eagerly interrupted Agnes.
Nothing but sudden illness or death. my
child."
"oh, fatherg"
1--WE must look at possibilities, my child,
and trust you will not shrink IL as say
anything should pre,eut mo from fyhtiuS NY
tight, know not what you will do. A little
money have; you will find it in the ebhuy csb
met beside my brd. With that you must 20 to
our relations beyond the border. Never mindmy
child; frel hat you tremble. Well ou1y hook
on lhe vrght side; aud nov good night"
Thus they parted with one fond embrace. A.
Agnes entered her chamber, her heart was heavy
with prrsentiment of coming evil.
About midnight Agnes was aroused from deep
though troubled slumhcr. by hand laid 6rmk
on her shoulder. II was Msrgery. the Old nurse
20. dear, Miss Agnes Ct up wake--ss
quick as you csn for YOU are wanted
There was trouble and despair in the old wo.
mans volce,and Agnes sprong from her bed and
began to dress as hastily us possible. while she
eagerly questioned Margety,
'What is the matter. Margery 7"
"Sir Henry,your dear father, is iIl--taken very
suddenly"
"Wuh wha; 2"
20, dear Miss, don't know james. whc
always sleeps in the next room, heard kind o.
| groaning, aud Rushing in, found my dear master
| in some kind OF ill.,"
20, merciIu Heavenl spare my father to me
exclaimed lhr trembling Agnes, us throwing u
shawl over. her shoulders, shr flew, rather Than
ran down stairs. AT the door of her fathers
| room she paused and turned to Margery who hd Il
followed as closely us she could.
| Has any one g0ue for the doctorY'
"Ies, james went Us soon as could 60 to
master"
Agnes entered the din'y lightc chamber aud
approach d the bed VIII r her iathrrlay 81 white
aud mntlonIess, while the frightened servantr
stood round mutely Sir Harry LySle was
good, kind master, and t Sc wants were devolel
10 him. Summoning all her courage. Agur,
neared the bed. Atthe first sight she trrmblrd
for she thought her Euths'r wax dead Brniing
over him, she laid hethaulsupon his hear t aud
; was rrjoced to feel thAt il pulsated still
though very, very taii IL, Ignorant what to d,
Agnes bathed her fathers face aud was in des
pair ut the (aure OF he Efforts. when the physi
Can entered. DR.. Thompson pronounced it t,
be paralylic stroke, and proceeded To bler,
the patient Soon Sir II nry opened his eyes
aud seemed conscious of all that was going on
Tie enleovored to speak, but that bertig impos
sible. paper aud pencil were brought hm. IL
large irregular Characters, he scruwled:
" Doctor will b. well euougn TO 80 out to
morrow p
With wisrful eyes h. watshe the physician
rs he eciphcred the characters, and his fnc,
, expressed the bItcrsst despair as Dr.. Thomp
son shook HIS head. Again he wrote:
81 cannot meet Mortimer Dudley and We ar
lost Agnes"
Agnes read the Irregular writing, so different
from hi, usual firm, clear words, aud she coult
: scarcely reprcsS the tears; but bravly mas CT
Ing her ieeIingIshr said bending over the slrick
; en- man, " Can you hear aud understand wha
say, her ?"
A faint nod was the answer.
q" rhan rest IN pace, dear iither, for cham
pon will be found who will strive as mnulull,
as vou-anh God grant that he may be as brav
and skiIliul"
A smile of con eminent passed over the sicl
mtus fac, ani he CALMLY closed his eyes. To,
i'll tn q IeStion Or doubt, he believed his daugh
ter's words
Towards the close of th,t dav. Agnes returne,
from a short aud rapid ride, and sought in tn
stable for old Arupld, her iu lhers trusty esquire
The old man tnrned as he heard the CHATTER o
the horses hobs ami was only in time to g.,
Agnes spring lightly from the saddle. III
DOTTED his cap respectfully, and waited for hi
mistress to speak.
"You know, Arnold, that it was my father
purpose to ride forth 20 meet young Dudey u
day break tomorrow ?"
81 know know, Mistress Agnes; but he i
lll-Sricken dOwn--aud cannot go anSweret
the old servitor in moumful voice.
:" | know ofa CHAMPION" AMI the girls pal,
ioce flushed as she spoke "a Father inexprri
enced youth, but one who has brave heart
keen eye and ready hand. All that hc has, bu,
no armor, aud my 10 thers is all too wide io
him. Know you Of any oth.rY"
up IN the garret is SUIT long unused y
belonged TO your father when he was mere
7 stripping, scare ly stOuier than YOU dear laly
"That will do very we'll, think Have il
brightly polished, oil IN order, aud lay it on the
couch in he red room.'
- 1t Is as bright now, Mistress Agnes" re-
piled the old man. respectfully, though with all
accent of pride, "as the day your father lusl
wore y, nearly forty years ago. loved the ar.
NOR my young pupil wore, and no spot OF rust
I dulIs It's bright Surace, no stay unIoosed or din,
ted plate"
Ever faithful. good Arnold. All is we'll.
! Tomorrow, at day-break, BE- at the hall door
with Black Rudoph fathers horse. yourself in
arm0r ready To accompany ne young Knight
Your bidding shall be DONE
And, Arnold, should the young knight lack
aught IN riding orin the handing Of tue lance,
direct him as YOU did my father"
Agnes turned and walked quickly to the house
wholly unconscious of the cnriuus gaze that
followed her Old ArnolI looked alter her with
wlsliul eyes, then murnurel aloud:
!" Proud step, like her father, yet light as a
fairys. Where has she found a champion ?
Jesse has been ridden smartly, see by her reek.
lux aanks aud heavng SIDES 1t cant he that
poor, young Mister Alfred is going to try; that
would be madness though know he is equal
in spirit TO it; poor fellow; no, no. that cant be.
for his arm is neither steady nur strong. can't
think -
"Aruolt, old flow." exclaimed CHEEKY
voice, don'l bother your old brain, but obey
orders TO morrow will solve your doubls--
and st. Jo''Dhus grant that our poor IN ,slers
cause may BIZ victorious"
Amen. Joseph" responded Arnold. And he
turned and wet slo Wy toward the hall.
Just briore daybreak the next morning, obe-
dient to orders, Arnold, clad in armor holding
black Radolph, stood at the hall doos. His own
horse Was held by Joseph Roth m an vyatch,d