Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-08-29

books, and such conclusions rs We reach IL
, long meditations and careful analy yzing. In
this, her visitor was struck with the clear les:
and stretch of thought of the humble girl at his
side. And she found herself reused and quick
ened by the outdrawing influence of a superior
! but congenial mind.
Thence the conversation was brought gently
to personal affairs. where. at length, a point
was gained, at which Mr. Brewer ventured to
ask {:
"Havc You no other friend but this 7"
} "None in all the world; except, perhaps, a
bro:her"
Mr.. Brewer could scarcely ask further ques-
tion. Breaking the silence, Jennie said:
My younger brother, Robert. left rs three
years ago-he was only fifteen then in the
rush TO California; thinking that, though only
a boy, he might bring back gold enough to make
his father comfortable for life. We heard OF his
arrival and promising beginning. but nothing
since. Two years ago we came TO live at this
end of the city, and possibly at that time he
changed his location. At any rate his letters
never reached US, nor have ours reached him.
The other day, when father. came home. he had
received tidings from him, for he said so just
as he was dying; but the news itself died on
his lips, and l have no clue whatever to its na-
ture. Brother Robert was noble boy, sir
the bravest and best boy l ever knew"
l just here the tears would start, and Ion g
silence followed
Mr.. Brewer had brought purse with a little
gold in it, thinking to slip it into the hand of
the little girl whose trials had so touched his
sympathy; but when he rose to go the act
seemed impossible; he did not daie 10 do it; he
could only ask. with the deepest respect
Can be of any service to you?"
al thank you very much for your call, Mr..
Brewer-very much. There is only one thing
you can do for me-employ me, if my work
pleases you"
No need to follow the plain board coffin
rough casket for such a father-to its place
among the silent poor in the great cemetery
If the faded shawl elung close to the poor girl S
| form, chilled by the autumn wind, dropping
tears upon the turf alone by the poor man s
| grave, under it beat rs warm q daughter heart
and lived as rich woman's nature, as ever
moved gay and proud in choicer and happier
scenes.
Jennie would not and could not leave the dear
old room, hallowed now by the memory of a
sainted father. She lived there alone. There
| was no objection to it now, for only young
| and elastic tread walked the creakings in the
long flight of old stairs.
| The bright faced boy came and went every
day with bundle. The work was very nice,
and the pay was so much better rs to give a
new chintz of deep brown with a tiny white
| figure. Mr.. Brewer comes occasionally. he
slid quietly into the place of friend, brought
| books for Jennie to read, and then discussed
their contents with her.
| There were many points upon which they
differed Both liked very well to differ; for
Jennie found pleasure in arousing his deep earn
est strength Of expression, and he was never
weary of awakening that flash of her large
brown eyes and easy dignity of talk which
served 10 distinguish her from all other Of his
friends.
| Mr.. Brewers calls were not frequent, but
they never failed during the many months in
which she sat and sewed in the humble attic
| room.
Alas for the struggling. tossed, brave and
weary grill These visits SO comforting at first,
were coming TO be a source of pain-in fact
and especially in prospect.
| He came and went as kind, disinteresied
friend, always considerate and appreciaive, but
always self-poised. Knowing and trusting him
as true friend. she yet knew nothiug of the
man but what she saw in her own home. He
never talked of himself The lad who came
and went with the bundles had once or twice
| spoken of"father" in a manner which convinced
her that Mr.. Brewer was husband, and this
| his son. That was all but it was decisive
| And yet, though settled on this from the first
| as time wore on, the companionship and SYM
pathy of her one visitor grew into need, and
| then a necessity. No reasonings no wllful
checkings, no self-condemnaton even, could
stay the growth of that giant presence by which
| at last she was covered and overpOwered. In
vain Jennie flashed Indignation on herself. that
| she should love the loved of another woman S
heart-a husband and a father. In vain she
wept and struggled and prayed. The chains
grew tighter, holding her TO a misery 10 which
| all the sadness of her life bore no comparison.
The afternoon sun of a September Sabbath
wrapped in CHEEKY light the dark and sea-
washed hull of an ocean steamer coming up the
bay to the crowded pier.
At the same moment Jennies friend turned
down dull, dark street, entered doorway and
| assembled the creaking stairs. 1t was one of the
| brick houses with their smoked and smoking
chimneys, which always lay before the changing
picture OF the bay, To-day. after long dis
cussion of the beauties and blemishes. first Of
THE Old Curiosity Shop" and then of DeQuin-
eys Confessions" with other and minor talk,
| Jennie touched on the scenery of the bay, with
its white winged butterflies and the black bee
tie that, an hour or two before, had been crawl
ing up the harbor.
Il always think" she said, "when look out
upon the harbor, that perhaps some day 1T will
| bring my brave brother back to me: and then
L
| more Obi if could only know whether he is
living or dead-whether 1 shall ever have him
againi'
The tears would come, and her eyes all glis-
tenipg as she looked into the face of her friend.
| Mr.. Brewer seemed absent. yet present; ten
der, yet i'll at ease. The thought darted into
her mind, perhaps he knows more of my
| brother than +"
"Have 1 ever told you anything Of MYSELF"
he asked at length.
"Never." -t
Upon this he moved chair close beside her,
but so as not to meet her glance, and told the
story of his Lille down to the present hour. 1t
was told concisely. but all the prominent facts
were there. Then changing his place, taking
her cold hand, and looking into her eyes, he
brought tears to them ag:in, and bushes to her
face, by the question:
"Will you trust and love me?'
"Will L? 1 always have
When they had both found words for other
sentences, and Jennie had been talking, Mr..
| Brewer exclaimed
married. | never even loved before"
| A slow steD was heard on the staircase, gen.
tie rap at the door, and pale young man en-
| tered.
"Jennie!''
| "Rohertl'
And the maiden had another joy added to the
sweetest bliss of life.
| But Robert had come TO die-to die as the
day dies slowly rcceding TO the other side of
| life.
He had brought the gold which he had spent
his young life in earning for the two at home.
One had no need of gold now; the other had
| no wish for it, but the dust was hers; and when