The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1864-11-21
THE
OLD ARMCHAIR.

HE mind Was tossed in continued tempest He
In vain attempted 10 steel himself against the re-
me nbrsnce OF his kind brother. He almost recnt-
Cd when he pictured the child Of that brother re-
turning 70 throw himself into his arms o. his only
protection and ,her~ 10 find stern enemy snnous
alone Tor the failure Of bis claim. He ~ 'vorhlv
hoped 'ost no likeness Of his brother would plead
i"r the youth and appeal N him unanswcreily. In
'Act. he remble In lear that NJ hear n INT speak
lie was weak, lut not . oil man and The de-
ghi 80 frankly expressed by his innocent child re-
tused nm IN a voice that would no, he stifed.
Many days did that beautiful girl rec.ine her
graceful io1In IN my ARM. f.r WAS called her
char, and was T. oud Of the title but I WAS
greved " zee the hectic Of fever on her cheek and
her father had slarmcd her umid spirit. and SIZE
eosercd, FOR the hrss time st the syproaoh Of
hitheri only loved and sought with all the fervor
OF her disposition. The house tbA had opy sound
ed with life and merritncul hsd now becorne silent
and dreary, ~ If IN expectation OF some dire
lamty.
AT last the svenuul day arrived. Kind friends
from another land rorght the youth home TO Tho
house Of his father. If his heart tca. tunultuousy
~ The deep plsdes burst upon his view, rushing
back upon his mind as II dreatnt Of In some pleas
ant dream, what were the feelings Of the father
and daughter who sat amidst their friends In ais
pense Of mingled feelings, sno~t amounting 70
agony.
He stood before his uncle. All eyes for momen.
were fixed upon him. and then turned 70 look upon
his uncle VITO seemed 70 feel the universal gaze.
He could not rise, Tut continued TO gaze upon the
hohlc-lookhis youth who stood confused and
o. ashcd leiore him.
One beautiful FACE. ba,hed in tears and crimson
ed with ag!tstion. claimed his notice IL wss that
OF his fair cousin. lie knew 1t must be her, but he
dared not approach her. The painful silence made
him irresolute.
She fclt IN ono moment thu. her true cousin stood
before her. She looked from her fathers face to
his The hand Of nature pointed unerrinsly 10 his
tesut'ul face az the certificate Of his right. Che
saw no one bit him. and, yielding to the impulse
of thS rosa crpidiv from her sea TAXING
him kindly by the hand, led him hushingly N her
chair which stood lesde her father, then. with
out . word. len the chamber to hide her emo
ton.
Ths, simple seton, ~ full Of the tenderness n
her nature, struck upon the hearts Of all present;
whilst The proud heart Of the father tremblcd o. he
saw tho cf'rc, of IL upon the person. present.
summonins up his vsvering resolution, he gave
him cold and distant welcome; and, then turning
to his legal advisers proceeded 10 listen 30 the
proofs and evidences of tho friends who had ac-
compsuied lin from the scene Of his famiy's DIS
aster.
Days passed on in To. difficut invesiis, aon. but
nothing beyond what WAS expected by the uncle
could be produced BY the nephew 70 subsiantiate
his claim These were Of TOO vague character
to be " suficent weight In the minds Of the per-
sons assembled 70 give him possession Of the pro-
perty. Notwithstanding which all felt and saw the
powerful likeness which the youth bore to she Ia
mily.
Hs wondered daily shout the domsin who're he
continually found objects that be knew he must
have seen betora but WAS convinced thas his own
evidence In h's own cause would not avail him
Messengers were dispatched 10 Gland N eudeAvor
TO get some connecting links, during which time
be remained an inmate Of the mansion with his
friends.
Often would the cousins meet, o. u BY chance
and esch meeting con WINGED them both, from many
"reminiscences Of their childhood, that his claim
was just one but they had 70 convince cold and
worldly hearts, and her plesdugs to her fsther
were only answered in Q cold and representa- man
ner that forbade the repetition Of them. His anger
WAS really against himself for he would have re.
his brother to his hesrt. But he hsd not mNal
courage enough 70 prompt him " yield up the tito
and estate thst were as his life.
Thus every protracted delay caused by the case
demanding some moro convincing evidence, gave
him pleasure mixed with pain for he could not
but feel that the youth who treated him with such
deference leaving his cause entirely in the hands
OF the man 70 whom u was OF the most corse.
quence that 1t should fall was me noble child OF
his brother.
The sun Was shining with meridian spendor into
the noble chamber which and my kindred chars
were appointed 70 ornament. The painted win
dows stood opcu for the sof summer air to bear in
th- sw OF odors Of the clustering fowerA and the
birds softly twitered they onrconced themselves
from tie summer heat IN the deep shadows OF the
noble trees The blue sky sparkled like an ame-
,hys.. and the sheer Law dotted on the hrecsy
downs sending the soft music OF their bells into ths
verdant valleys beneath them Az nature seemed
in delicious lsnguor
Ihold in my arms the form Of noble youth.
he had seated himsef gaze the portraits II his
mober and father thst were hanging opposite.
Their forms were arouGng his struggling reco'
lccnons lie felt that 10 was their child but
melancholy came over bis young heart a. bis
uncle mixed himself up with his thoughts HIS
s,erness chilled him. and he prayed that he might
M proved the rightfu heir W the satisfaction of ALI
in such an event show tho father AMI daughter
tnst hs wns worthy 81 his des- ent.