Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-01
Z S Their Mason.

ford, foreman Of shipwrights in the
Plymouth dockyard, whilst carelessly
crossing one Of the transverse beams O.
seventy-four gun ship, building in thai
arsenal, missed his footing, fell to the bot
tom of the hold of the huge vessel, and
was killed on the spot. He left widow
and one child--a boy seven years of age
of placid, endearing disposition, but weak
intellect-almost in state of desttution
He bad been coarse-tempered, improv-
ident man and like too many of his
class, in those days at least, dissipated
the whole of his large earnings in pres
ent sensuous indulgence, utterly careless
or unmindful Of the future. Esther
Woodford, who, at the time of her hus-
bands death, scarcely numbered five-and-
twenty years, was still a remarkably
eomely, as well as interesting, gentleman
nered person and moreover had, for her
station in life, received a tolerable educa-
tion. Her rash, i'll assorted marriage
with Woodford had been hastily con-
traeted when she was barely seventeen
years Of age, in consequence of jealous
pique which she, for some silly reason or
other, bad conceived regarding Henry
Mason, an intelligent, young sea faring
man, of fair prospects in life, and frank
disposition, with whom she had for some
time previously, as the west country
phrase has it, kept company" and who
was, moreover, tenderly attached to her.
Esther's married life was one long repen-
tance Of the rash act and the severance
of the tie which bound her to an unge-
NAL mate--after tie subsistence of the
natural horror and compassion excited by
the sudden and fright(ul nature of the
catastrophe--must have been felt as a
most blessed relief A few weeks after
wards, she accepted an asylum with her |
brother.in-law, Davies, market garden
er in the vicinity Of Plymouth, where, by |
persevering industry with her needle,
and thrifty helpfulness in her sisters
household duties, she endeavored to COM
pensate her kind hearted relatives for
the support of herself and helpless, half |
wilted child. Mason she had never seen
snce the day previous TO her marriage ;
but she knew lie was prospering in the
busy world, and that, some time before
her husbands death, he had been appoint
ed chief mate in first class merchant
ship trading TO the Pacific. He had sail
ed about a fortnight previous to that
event; and now, ten lazy months having
slowly floated past, the lover OF her
youth, with whom, in that last sunny day
Of her young life--how distant did it
seem, viewed through the long interven-
ing vista Of days and nights of grief and
tears l-she had danced so joyously be-
meath the Towering chestnut trees, was
once more near her; and it was-ob
happiness mo longer a sin to think Of
him--no longer a crime to recall and
dwell upon the numberless proofs Of the
deep affection, the strong love, he bad
once felt for her. Once felt Perhaps
even now - How swiftly had the
intelligence communicated by sympathi- I
zing sister tinted with bright hues the {
lark curtain of the future!
"And yet, murmured poor Esther, the '
flush of hope fading as suddenly as it had |
arisen, as with meek sad eyes she glanced 8
1t the reflection of her features in the 1
small oval glass suspended above the
nantel-pece--" almost doubt, Susy, !
lear, if he would recognize me even if /
I'D feelings and old times have not long r
'ince faded from his memory /
Stuff an d trumpery about fading Il
'way !" broke in Mrs. Davies. " Henry &
Mason is the same true hearted man he u
vas eight years ago and as a proof 1
hat he is, just read this letter, which l !,
promised him to give you. There, don't $
70 falling into a illustration don't now, Il
Esther, and Tomorrow market day and r.
III II Don't cry, Esther she added d
'ehemently, but at the same time sob 7
ling furiously herself, and throwing her h
rms round her sisters neck but per-
iaps it will do us good, both of US p :,
1t may be necessary to state that / il
we the foregoing particulars to the in A
crest felt by my wife-herseIf native b
beautiful Devon--in the fortunes of W
bis humble household. Esther was her a
oster sister; and it happened that just o.
this period, being vacation time. we in
'ere paying visit to family in the b,
A few hours after the OF
eeeipt of the welcome letter, my wife h,
lanced to call on Esther relative TO th
'me fancy needlework and on her re- Al
lrn, was of course favored with very W
I'll and forid details Of this little bit of e1