Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-04-17

t lance, ray by ray, and beam by beam
While the daughter was making the tea
kettle cover dance, and then pourin!
sputtering hot water into the little 5lacl
teapot, in the bottom of which very few
but very nice little leaves lay curled il
fragrant exclusiveness and concentration
the glad father thought the matter over
While the torpid little leaves warmed
into inevitable expansion by the beate'
food, the glad father continued to thinl
it over.
You look tired, father have yot
worked hard to-day?'
Not very, daughter
1t is we'll that the girl dropped the
plate from her hand, though it wen
down with crackle into fragments. fol
the old man was reeling out Of his chair
She was just in time 10 save him.
Without a word, the daughter held him
a moment, till she could glance into bis
face, and then with strength which she
could always command when aroused,
bore him to the nearest bed, and laid
him there.
Father Father?'
Not a word, nor sigh of conscious
ness. Jennie bathed bis temples with
water, rubbed his arms, his chest, called
on him, kissed him, and wept. His lips
moved.
What is it, father?' and the daugh-
ter's ear is close by the trembling lips.
Il have heard'--faintly--' from
Robert Fainter. Robert is-he is
the voice is too faint to be heard-the
lips ceased TO move-the old man is
dead. No cries of Father, dear father 2
no cbafng of hands, no bathing of that
calm, snowfringed brow will ever bring
back the soul now freed at last from its
cherries imprisonment of eighty years.
Sraighten the stiAening limbs, lone
daughter; close tigher the eyelids he is
gone. And the secret hidden in that
unfinished sentence--it, toe, is gone, and
vainly viii you try TO fathom its import.
The blow was a terrible one. Not alone
that this was her stay and companion,
but her only support and her only friend.
Alone.
When all hope of restoration was
gone, Jennie stood erect little way
from the bed, her head buried in her
hands, and let the tide of loss and lone
illness sweep over her. In that instant
Of time she drank the full cup, and tasted
each and every ingredient. This made
her calm. Another nature might have
sunk she was lifted, strengthened. All
the energies of her heart came into active
life; and now, fearful or quiet, busy or
still, she was made the same strong,
self conscious woman she had ever been.
She was even stronger and more calm.
A quick step upon the stairs, and
careless rap at the door. 1t was the
bright faced lad with a bundle.
Mr.. Brewer says as how this is nicer
work, and you may send back the other
bundle,' said the little fellow, boy like,
as he came abruptly into the room, his
face beaming with pleasure and exer-
else. Oh, Miss Dell = and the boy fell
into awestricken quiet, as he felt the
presence of death.
The second day before the burial,
when, with the aid of an old woman be-
low, the body had been carefully pre-
pared, different step was heard on the
staircase, and a careful knock at the
door. Mr.. Brewer entered without a
word, gave his hand, and sat down.
Then gently aluding to her loss, asking
o look on The features of her father
noticing her plants in the window, he
led the conversation into APP
oropriste channels, and, without a single
made Jennie to feel that be
vas a true and appreciative friend.
Gradually the talk receded from the
ad topic of the chamber of death to
more general subjects-to such thoughts
Is we find written in books, and such
conclusions as we reach in long medita-
ions, and careful analyzing. In this
Ter visitor was struck with the clearness
nd strength of thought of the humble
,irl at his side. And she found herself
oused and quickened by the outdrawingl
influence of superior but congenial
mind.
Thence the conversation was brought
emily to personal affairs, when, at length,
point was gained, at which Mr.. Brew
II ventured to ask;
Have you no other friend but this ?
None in all the world except, per-
aps brother.