Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-05-30

Yes; quite we'll, she answered, very
quietly.
And is the old gentlemen still living p
Mrs. Smith earnestly asked, and continued
Il have not heard from there in long
time
NO, he is dead she replied with
sigh. lie has been dead almost year.
Dead Poor old man = Mrs. Smith
exclaimed, and she brushed away tear
from her check. 'Tell me, Frances, all
you know about him, and his death, and |
will be thankful to you for it,
4 suppose his death was like that of
many other poor old men, she began-and
continued, as a sad expression stole over
her face Tho old gentleman had two
daughters. The youngest got married
and emigratod to ST. Louis with her hus-
band, leaving the eldest at home with the
father. Finally she, too. got married aud
like her youngest sister, cmigrated to the
West with her husband, ard LETT the old
gentleman alone; and believe he never
heard from her alterwards-only through
strangers. 1 heard they came to Califor.
MIA, and it was sa d that her husband, =,
Mr.. Smith, was rich
Frances hasten your recital exclaim-
cd Mrs. Smith, impaticntly' 'and tell me
about Mr.. Depue's death.
'The tale is a short one, msdam, re-
piled Frances--and she gave Mrs, Smith n
look that made her tremble. 'The old
gentleman, she continued, 'was left alone
to the tender mcrcies Of strangers. A long
sickness followed, ana exhausted his once
competent means; for, in the absence OF
those who should have been at his bedside
there was no one to tak' care of his al-
fairs. After al was gone they mercifull y
sent the old gentleman to the almshousc.
ooh, my God and he dcid there ? ex-
claimed Mrs Saith, between the choking
sobs that escaped from her lips.
'Oh not, he did not die there Frances
replied, for his yosngcst daughter return
cd. She had buried her husband at ST.
Louis, and after gathering his estate to-
gether, shc turAcd her footsteps 20 her
fathers house. hc misfortune of hey
only parent and friend was another sad
blow to her; but she soon provided home
for him, ard for nearly year she nurscd
and watched ever him, and on his death
bed tcoeiycd his last blessing in reward
for her dutful conduct He is bu ricd by
the side of his wife in the old buryin2
ground.' Frances grew pale at the recital
and tears fc as did those of her hearers.
Ah then my poor old father is dcad!'
exclaimed Mrs. Smith 'and Ella, my
sister, where is she ?
'She remained in Lowell FOR some timc
after her fathers DEATH Frances contin.
ucd, expecting to hear from her sister
Elizabeth, to whom she had often writer
without receiving any reply. She finally
concluded to come 10 California. She ar,
rived here two months ago and by strange
fatality was introduced into her sister:
house as servant, where she has beer
ever since
Her words were so calmly spoken thai
Mrs. Smith was startled. How could tn i.
be exclaimed Mrs. Smith, as she sprang
toward Frances, and | not know you
Ah Ella Frances, my sister and Mrs
Smith exten led her arms to embrace her
But Frances quietly prevented her from
doing so, as she replied. No, Elizabeth
l am here as your servant; as such yor
eated me, and as such | will leave
And she left the room. Not the prayers
of her sister nor the entreatcs of he,
brcther-in-law could change her resolve,
1t was Il terrible lesson 10 MIS-. Smith
and she will never forget it. Ella France!
Depuo W was soon after married to
merchant who knew her at st. Louis, anC
appreciated her, and she is now mistress
of home equal in wealth to her sister S
and more replete with happiness.
With the exception Of names, thi,
STORY Of To-Day is true and the actors
need not blush at its recital, for this i.
but one of the many that are stranger
than fiction.
THIS UNION OR ANOTHER GOVERN
MENT,-Thc conservative party through
out the country is pledged firmly to tn,
Union cause. The radical party is every
where engaged in sowing the seeds o