The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-03-11
cnArTER sEcoNp

CHAPTER sEeoNp.
Caharine Belmont, Or Daring Katy, IS
she wa. universally called by ~ her
friends, ~as the child of poor fisherman,
living ppon the bal.ks Of a small river ia
Maine. We say she was his child; he
claimed her as such. and up 10 her four
tenth birthday she knew not 10 the con-
trary. Then the old fisherman had given
her ring marked with he inilisls /" II.
G and told her how twelve long years
ago there had been dreadful storm.
which for miles around had strewn the
rocky shores Of Maine with wrecked ycs-
seis, and their precious cargnes Of human
lives. She had teen found elasped IN the
arms Of a beautiful woman, with this same
riag (Which he then gave Katy upon her
finger. The woman they had buried by The
seasi ile.and 'he little child they had kept, ho-
ping al first that they might nj some future
time discover her parents. But as time
wore away, and the little stranger grew
very dear to the old fisherman and his
wife. thy gradually gave up tie idea Of
ever findin. any one to claim ih r Ocean
Penll.
But now there is sorrow in that once
happy col by the sea shore Tor the mas
ter, The b, 10 ed husband and father lies
At The point Of death. No pleadngs, no
mtercrssions can save. Death, with stern
.lecree, stands at thu door
Alas my dear Paul, how can have
sou 20. How can the good God, who is
aid TO be just in all his dealings how can
ne take YOU from me- and still be just. |
cannot, | will nut live" passionalelt and
despairinsly res the wife Of old Paul
| Durand.
/" Do not grieve for me- thus said The
pious man. A little while, and ,ou will
follow after. | am but worm Of the
lust; my Master calls, aud | must 60 !;
larry you, my dear and loved companion,
for while, and do moi, | be>eech Of vol
DO mol speak so distruslfaIly Of tie good
| Fathers tame. Love him, trust him, and
prepare 10 me,t me above. And you, my
dear son what can a dying father say 10
an only son? My heart fails me at
thought Of the many temptations in store
for you. But, my son, fight against them ;
come off conqueror!' y he exclaimed, his
eyes kindling with the fire of Death
: Love and obey your mother, and the
blessing Of your dead father will ever rest
upon your head. And now raise me u2,
thaI | may look upon you all once more,
and abroad upon the old ocean have
loved so well. Now call Katy, that may
m Ike conf, ssion 10 her ere il be too
late.
Tile young girl came and knelt by her
benetacior's bedside, and with her face
buried ia the pillows, awaited what lie
might shy. For a long time he remained
ii ent, apparently lost in thought.
AT length Katy sobbcd forth, Father
am here, do you not sec me are yot
not better, dear father 2
. Katy, will you, can you forgive me Z
said he. ! have wrong.d you deeply
and much fear lastingly. Listen 10 me
and DO not interrupt me, for my strengh
is well nigh gone. | have said that We
: knew nothing Of your history. 1t is false
With you we're found manuscripts whicl
have been preserved, and from which you
: will learn who rere your paleihs. II i
: true we buried our mother by the sea
side; but | know not but your father i
s:ili living. and no doubt mourning for lh'
7 chId which he deems lost to him forever
/. All! my clild, my darling Katy. for
b must still call you BY that dear name, cal
!, ynu forei me Z" And here he paused
: overcome by his excriions.
! Forgive you, Father yes, ] trul.
forgive you bat Why dill you ever Tel
r me this secret for low can ever b
: more happy than As thinking myself you
: rhiid: We have been so very happ
r Lere together. are we never more 10 lis
E over those daysf Must ! be separate
= from you al, an from Tins dear home
e Dear latiier, do no, send me from you
p and .he sobted in a the wild abandon
5 ment Of griaf.
! With a last efort, the dying man pa
c back the dark hair from her brow, an
u gazins fo,,diy upon her murmur.d,
> Your station in life i lar above Our
.