The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-11-07

BaSed ~ knitting, her mind intent upon
her absent boy. All was staid quiet, sub.
dued. There was not even kitten 10 en-.
liven the scene. Mrs. HolbrooR had once
v6slured to introduce one into the house,
but the Deacon speedily intimaed his dis.
like OF cats, and puss had been banished.
One night, Deacon llolbrook brought n
letter for his vile. 1t was such an un.
usual circumstance for the good woman
10 receive letter, hat she took it eagerly,
and tore /; open with unwonted haste.
Nbnt was il made her eyes sparkle
with JOY? The familiar hand. writing had
not deceived her. She knew at once, by
the peculiar flourish on the top Of the II,
that it was from Henry.
She read it through with grateful Joy.
1t appeared that Henry had worked his
! passage having no money and leaving
the vessel at San Francisco, had proceeded
at once TO the mines, where he was now
working. He had not been there long
enough 10 form an idea OF what were his
chances of success. He wished bis mother
10 write, and promised TO keep her ad.
vlsed OF his movements There was only
one reference to his father. 1t was this:
81 am afraid father retains bitterness
toward me. Ii this is the case, do moi
trouble him with any messages, but if 9TH
erwlse, you may give him my duliul 10.
CARDS, and that / do not yet despair Of
making myself good and true man"
Deacon Holbrook did not look at his
wife while she was reading this letter,
though the hand writing must have told
him who i. was from.
"Joshua," said his vile timidly, using
the ralely mentioned name of her hus.
band, "this letter is from Henry"
80 | Supposed" said he coidly.
Az he spoke he took from his pocket
the weekly Farmer, and adjusting his spec
;acles, began to read. This was a hint
and so Mrs. Hobrook understood it, that
he did not care to pursue the subject fur.
ther. But she could not help asking.
"wouldn't you like to read IIenry's letter,
Joshua ?"
"You will oblige me by not mentioning
his name again" said the Deacon, stiffly
"He has forfeited all claims to be con.
sidercd a SON"
So days months and even years passed.
1t lacked but a month of Eve years since
Henry Ho'brook LETT his home. There
was h!tle change in Tie air of the grave,
sober.ooking mansion of Deacon Hol.
brook. The Deacon himself had failed
more in those five years 1hHn in FIVE pre-.
cecding. His form had lost its ancient
erectness, and was bowed. His face had
grown more wiirAled and he spent more
time in the house.
Mrs. llolbrook received lidngs at short
intervals. Henry was well and doing
WELL he wrote /; but did not enter into par.
ticulars. Some tins he should return to
see his mother. OF his father he did not
speak. These letters were all brought
home from the village post, Office by Dea,
con llobrook, but he never signitied any
curiosity 10 learn their contents. Henry's
name had not been mentioned between
the TWO for years; yet-and let not
his surprise the reader-it would
be hard Ia tell which though, OF him
the most constantly. Behind the Dcacon's
tacilurniy there beat heart, and that
heart was more tender to his lost son than
he would have been willing TO confess.
All at once his quiet lite was broken in
upon. and that in II most cruel manner.
One DAY he entered the house. his face
as paIlid as a sheet, his limbs tottering
beneath him. his whole expression that OF
great and intolerabe anguish.
whats the matter Deacon IIolbrook .
What's the matter, Joshua ?" inquired
his alarmed wife.
Hannah, we are paupers-paupers in
our old age p said her husband bi terly.
GOOD gracious ! what has happened,
Joshua ?" asked the wife, turning pale
from sympathy.
Little by little it came out that Deacon
Holbfook had become bondman for a bank
officer with whom he was well acquainted
and in whose integrity he had the utmost
confidence. But to-day the astounding
intelligence had arrived that the officer,
after a series OF delalcalons, had fled the
country and left his bondsman to suffer.
The am cunt for which the Deacon had
become bound was sufficient TO swallow
up the house and farm-all in fact that be
possessed.
The farm was not a valuable one. 1t
comprised sixty acres Of rough soil, which,
by hard labor, had been made to suffice
for the moderate wants Of small and
economical family. In the market il
would not bring over three thousand dol.
lars, and for that amount the Deacon was
bound. Yesterday he regarded himself
rich. Now he regarded himself as
pauper.
"This is indeed worse than DEATH"
thought the Deacon with stern sorrow.
The Lord has indeed smilten me in mine
old age"
Little time was given for anticipation
before the blow IeI. The Holbrook farm
was advertised for sale at auction, to take
place il three weeks. Bills were printed
and posted about on fences and in stores.
Meanwhile Deacon Holbrook sank into
slate of listless dependency. All day
long he would sit in the rocking chair,
with his eyes fixed on the opposite wall,
saying nothing, and apparently paying
liule attention 10 what was going on about
him. His wife, scarcely less sorrowful
than himself, feared that his reason was
undermined.