, 1862-08-02
ortfOlio, rang the bell, and Bridget entered the

! IOOlu
Bridget said Mr., Smith, :" I am sorry but
Mrs Smith says she will, dispense with your SER
vices after tomorrow. You have been here two
months-l wish could sag TWO years-and I am
sorry to part with you. Sign this receipt, and
here is bonus with your wages And he placed
a package'of coin by the side fthe paper.
Bridget took up the pen and in a neat hand
wrote Frances Depue.7
Mr.. Smith took up the receipt and glanced at
the name and then walked across the room and
held the paper before re- Wife Mrs. Smith,, >
said he, "her name is rsnees-not Bridget" A
blush suffused Mrs. Smii face.
Frances, what stgs a. you from P" in
qaired Mrs Smith as e-gon.aa-6as Ieayiiig the
room.
Massachusetts," she replied.
"What part, Frances ?"
"Lowell"
Was you acquainted with Mr.. Robert De
pue's family, they have the same name as your
selfP" she eagerly inquired.
"Yes quite WELL" she answered, very quietly.
Sand is the old gentleman still living" Mrs
Smith earnestly asked, and continued, al have
not heard from there in long time"
"No, be is dead" she replied, with sigh. He
has been dead almost one year."
"Dead Poor old man /" Mrs. Smith ex-
claimed, and she brushed tear from her cheek.
"Tell NE, Frances, all you know about him, and
his death, and will----be thankful to you
for it."
81 suppose his death was like that of many
other poor old men, she began, and continued,
old gentleman had two daughters. The youngest
got married and emigrated to St. Louis with her
husband, leaving the eldest at home with the
father. Finally she too, got married, and, like
her youngest sister, emigrated to the west with
her husband, and left the old gentleman alone
and believe he never heard from her afterwards
only through strangers. heard they came to
California, and it was said that her husband, Mr..
Smith, was rich"
"Frances, hasten your recital exclaimed Mrs.
Smith impatiently, 4" and tell me about Mr.. De-
pues death"
"The tale is a short one. Madam" Frances re-
plied-and she gave Mrs Smitha look that made
her tremble. "The old gentleman" she contin-
ued, "was left alone to- the tender mercies of
strangers A long sickness followed, and ex-
hausted his once competent means; for, in the
absence of those who should have been at his
bedside there was no one to take care of his af-
fairs. After all was gone they mercifully sent
the old gentleman to the aims house."
Oh, my God and he died there P" exclaimed
Mrs. Smith, between the choking sobs that es-
capped from her lips.
"Oh, no, he did not die there" Frances re-
Piled " for his youngest daughter returned. She
had buried her husband at st. Louis, and after
gathering his estate together she turned her foot
steps to her fathers house. The misfortune Of
her only parent ard friend was another sad blow
to her; but she soon provided home for him,
and for nearly year she nursed and watched
over him, and on his death bed received his last
blessing in reward for her dutfu conduct. He is
buried by the side of his wife in the old burying
ground" Frances grew pale at the recital, and
tears fell, as did those of her hearers"
"Ah then my poor old father is dead = ex-
claimed Mrs. Smith " and Ella, my sister, where
is she ?"
"She remained in Lowell for some time after
her fathers DEATH" Frances continued, "expect-
ing to hear from her sister Elizabeth to whom
she had often written withoutreceiying any reply.
She finally concluded to cometo California. She
arrived here two months ago, and by strange
fatality was introduced into her sisters house as
servant, where she has been ever since"
Her words were so calmly spoken that Mrs.
Smith was startled. I" How could this be-" ex-
claimed Mrs. Smith, as she sprang towards Fran
ces, and 1 not know you? All Ella Frances,
my sister and Mrs. Smith extended her arms
to embrace her But Frances quietly prevented
her from doing so as she replied No, Elizabeth,
l came here as your servant; as such you treated
me, and as such 1 will leave"
And she left the room. Not the prayers of
her sister, nor tie entreaties of her brother-n-aw
could change her resolve.
1t was a terrible lesson to Mrs Smith, and she
Will utNtI lOlStI w. Elld GIduceS Oepue w -
was soon after married to merchant who knew
her at St. Louis and appreciated her, and she is
now mistress of home equal in wealth to her
sisters, and more repete with happiness
With the exception of names, this Story of
Today" is true; and the actors need not blush
at its recital, for this is but one of the many that
are stranger than fiction Golden Era.
Address of Gen. Mcclellan to his Troops
Soldiers Of the .Army Of the Potomac Il have
fulfilled at least part of my promise to you.-
You are now face to face with the rebels, who are
held at bay in front of the capital.
The final and decisive battle is at hand. IN
less you belle your past history, the result cannot
be for d moment doubtful. If the troops who la
bored so faithfully and fought so calamity at
Yorktown and who so bravely won the hard fights
Of Wi1ian,ehuro Woet Paint uo,o,or No,,,.