North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-02-18

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back unable to articulate more-and just
then Bridget entered and cut short her accu-
mulating words.
The twilight of evening had come, and the
! sitting room was lighted. Mr.. Smith took
out his portfolio, rang the bell, and Bridget
entered the room.
! Bridget said Mr.. Smith, 81 am sorry but
Mrs. Smith says she will dispense with your
services after two months-I wish | could say
two years-and am sorry to part with you
your wages And he placed package of
coin by the side of the paper.
Bridget took up the pen, and in neat
hand wrote Frances Depue.'
Mr.. Smith took up the receipt and glanced
at the name, and then walked across the
room and held the paper before his wife,
Mrs. Smith, said he, 'her name is Frances
not Bridget A blush suffused Mrs. Smiths
| face.
Frances, what State are you from p inqul-
red Mrs. Smith, as the woman was leaving
| the room.
Massachusetts, she replied.
'What part Frances p
lowell
'Was you acquainted with Mr.. Robert De-
pue's family, they have the same name as
yourself p she eagerly inquired.
Yes quite well, she answered very quietly
'And is the old gentleman still living 2 Mis-
Smith earnestly asked, and continued: Il
have not heard from there in long time.'
NO, he is dead,' she replied with sigh
He has been dead about year.
Dead Poor old manr Mrs Smith ex-
claimed, and she bru shed tear from her
cheek, TELL me, Frances, all you know aoout
him and his death, and will be thankful to
you for it,
Il suppose his death was like that of many
other poor old men, she began-and contin-
ued, as u sad expression stole over her face
The old gentleman had TWO daughters. The
Youngest got married and emigrated to st.
Louis with her husband, leaving the oldest
at home with her father. Finally she too
got married, and like her sister emigrated
West with her husband, leaving the old gen.
teman alone, and believe he never heard
from her afterwards, only through strangers.
[ know that they came to California, and it
is said that her husband Mr.. Smith, is rich.'
Frances, hasten your recital exclaimed
Mrs. Smith excitedly, and tell me about Mr..
Depue's DEATH
The tale is short one, madam Frances
reped-and she gave Mrs. Smith a look that
made her tremble, "The old gentleman she
continued, was left alone to the tender mer.
cies of strangers. A long sickness followed,
and exhausted 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 affairs. After ali was gone they mer-
cifully sent the old gentleman to the aims
house."
"Oh my God and he died there 2" ex-
claimed Mrs. Smith, between the choking
sobs that escaped 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 her estate together, she turn
ed her attention TO her fathers house."
The misfortune of her only parent and
friend was a sad blow to her; but she soon
provided home for him, and for nearly a
year she nursed and watched over him, and on
his death-bed received his last blessing in re-
ward for her dutitul conduct. He is buried
beside his wife in the old burying ground"
"She renamed in Lowell for some time af
ter her fathers death" Frances continued,
expecting to hear from her sister Elizabeth,
| to whom she had often written without re-
ceiving reply. She finally concluded to
come to California. She arrived here two
months ago, and by strange fatality was in
troduced into her sisters house as servant,
! where she remained ever since."
Her words were so calmly spoken that
Mrs. Smith was startled How could this
be ?n exclaimed Mrs. Smith, as she sprang
towards Frances, " and know J you z" All
Ella Frances, my sister; and Mrs. Smith ex-
tended her arms to embrace her. But France;
quietly prevented her from doing SO, as sh'
replied: