Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-08-29

| tHNe ehS NiOUo ISut Uc temporary one, anu
| would disappear.
1t was not so, unfortunately. Though in
| their manner to each other when together
| nothing but the most cordial affection was OBJ
servable; Catharine, when she came alone to
see Hannah, always seemed prey to some
uneasiness which all her efforts could not con-
| ceal from her old friend. Even when she be-
came for the first time mother, and with all
| the beautiful pride OF young mothers love,
| presented her babe to Hannah, the latter could
see grief imprinted on Catharine's brow.
Hoping by her counsel to bring relief Han
nah took an opportunity TO tell the young wife
what she had observed land earnestly besought
her confidence.
At first Catharne stammered forth hurried
assurance that she was perfectly happy, and
in few seconds by bursting into tears
owning that she was very unhappy.
ssBut cannot, Hannah - she exclaimed, 81
cannot tell the cauSe-eren 10 you.''
ssDon't say so, my poor Catharine,'' replied
| Hannah ''it is not curiosity that prompts me
| TO inter fere.''
''Oh, no, Hannah,' replied the young wife,
| 81 know you speak from love TO me.'
ssWell, then,'' continued the dame, "open
| your heart TO me. Age is good adviser.:'
Catharine was silent.
s'Is your husband harsh to you ?'' asked
Hannah.
'sNo," cried the wife; s.man could not be
| kinder to woman than he is to me.''
| ~ he In drink III
| sHannah, you mistake altogether was
| Catharne's reply 'smy husband is as free
| from all such faults man was
"My dear child,'' said the old woman, al
| most smiling the idea entered her head
''you are not suspicious-not jealous
81 have never had a moments cause, Han
| nah.' answered Catharine. "No, my griefs
| are not of that nature. He is one of the best
and dearest of husband'.''
| Old Hannah was puzzled at these replies, as
she was distressed by the open avowal of
Catharine's having some cause of sorrow but
| seeing that her young friend could not make
| up her mind to disclosure at the time, the
| aged dame gave up her enquiries, and told
Cafbarine to think seriously of the propriety
of confding all to her. Hannah conceived
that, on mature consideration ,Catharne would
come 10 the resolution of seeking counsel at
the cottage. And she was not wrong. In a
few days after the last conversation, the young
wife came to visit Hannah again, and after a
little embarrassed talk, entered upon the SUBJ
Ject which was uppermost in the minds of both.
''Hannah,'' said Catharine, 81 fear you can
serve me nothing-I fear no living being can
serve me-O, Hannah, good as my husband
appears to be-good he is-there is some |
dreadful weight pressing upon his mind which |
destroys his peace-aDd mine too. Alas the |
gloomy fits which you, well as |, have no |
ticed in hun, are not, fear, without cause.'' |
Catharine wept in silence for a moment, and |
''hit KNOW Oh tUlS cause |
arises from his expressions--his dreadful ex-
pressioDs-while he is asleep at my side. |
Hannah he speaks in broken language of mur-
der-of having committed murderl Hannah, |
perhaps woman deceived and murdered by |
him." As Catharine said this, she shuddered, |
and buried her face in that of the babe which |
she carried in her arms.
Hannah was shocked to hear OF this, but her |
good sense led her to suggest for the comfort |
of the poor wife, that it was perfectly possible /
for her husband to consider himself murder
er in his sleep, and speak of it, without the
slightest reality in the whole affair.
'sAh, Hannah said Catharine sadly sstbese
dreadful sayings are not the result of one
nightmare slumber. They occur too often
too often. Besides, when first heard him
mutter in his sleep these horrible things, |
mentioned the matter to him in the morning
at our breakfast, and laughed at it /; but he
grew agi,ated, and telling me to pay no atten-
tion to such things, as he sometimes talked
nonsense, he knew, in his sleep, he rose and
went away, leaving his meal unfnished-in-
deed, scarcely touched. l am sure he does
not know how often he speaks in his sleep, for
| never mentioned the subject again-though
my rest is destroyed by it. And then his fits
of sadness at ordinary moments! Hannah
Hannah ! there is some mystery-somc terrible
my stery under it.. YETI continued the young
wife, s'he is good-so kind-so dutiful to
god and to man. He has too much tenderness
|
to think or do ? for am wretched at PRESENT.
1t was not long ere the old dame replied to
this question. She mused greatly upon what
had been told her, and in the end, said to
Catharine-ssMy poor child, / cannot believe
that William is guilty of what these circum-
stances lay seemingly at his door. But, if the
worst be true, it is better for you to know it,
than to be in this killing suspense forever.
Go and gain his confidence, atharine tell
him all that has come to your ear, and say
that you did so by my advice.' Hannah con-
tinued to use persuasions of the same kind
for sometime longer, and at length, sent
Catharine home, firmly resolved to follow the
counsel given her. On the following day,
Catharine once more presented herself at the
abode OF Hannah, and as soon as she entered,
exclaimed: ssDear mother, / have told him all.
He will be here soon to explain everything to
us both.''
The old woman did not exactly comprehend
this. ssHas be not" said she, ssgiven any ex-
PLANTATION to you.''
"No, Hannah,'' said Catharine ssbut. oh.
he is not guilty. When had spoken as you
desired me, he was silent long time and he
then took me in his arms, Hannah, and kissed
me saying ssMy darling CatharIne, ought to
have confided in you long before. 1 have
been unfortunate, not guilty. Go to kind
Hannah's, and will soon follow you, and set
your minds at ease, as far as it can be done.
Had known how much you have been suffer-
ing, would have done this long betore.'
These were his words, Hannah. On, he may
bo unfortunate, but not guilty."
Hannah and Catharine said little to each 9TH |
er until the husband came to the cottage. Will
liam sat down gravely by the side of his wife, 4
and after kindly inquiring for the old woman,
at once commenced to tell his story:
"The reasons of my unhappy exclamations
L 4