Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-04-27
New Series---Vol. XVIII. No. 26.

bringing small snow drift on the shoul-
ders of his shaggy overcoat
well, I'm beat ! quoth Zenas. Take
chair, Deacon. Let mo hang your coat
afore the fire to dry
Can't stay said the Deacon, giving
himself a shake, like black water,dog on
his hind legs. 1 thought you like to hear
the news, SO | just dropped in on my way
to my darter's Thanksgiv;n' dinner
News what news 2 exclaimed Zenas.
while his wife dropped her knitting
Don't tell then you hain't heerd p
Il haint heerd nothin' but the wind
bowling down the chimbly, and Elder
Smiths sarmon this mornin, said Zenas,
a little impatiently.
The Squire's dead, up to the great
house ?
Dead You don't tell me so. That's
the man [ was speakin' of as holding my
mortgage = explained Zenas, turning to
John Siddons. And when did it happen,
Deacon p
Died last night, sir, just about nightfall,
as quiet as lamb. There wa'n mt nobody
with him but the old housekeeper-folks
didn't s'pose he was dangerous; and Lawyer
Ovid says there's reg'lar will, and he's
left all his property to the only relative he
had livin' soldierin' feler that he'd new
er as much as seen-one Sedgewck, or
Sibley, or what is his name now? Any
how he's fell heir to all Squire Peter Allies
ford's property, and that's pretty consida-
bic wind fall !
WAS that name Siddons p asked the
soldier, who had listened to the conversa-
tion in silence
That's it ? said the Deacon, giving his
knee a sounding slap
peter AiIsford was my fathers cousin
said the young man quietly
Land O Goshen calculated Deacon
Evarts with growing veneration for the
heir to the old Squire'S' money
Now reely. that's kind O providential,
amt it To think that you should be
right here on the spot p
i was in search of Mr.. Aisford's house
when ! nct~you, SIR said Siddons turning
10 Carey but as [ was unaware what sort
of Il reception l might get, your kind in
vitation decided ne r. walt day or two
In vain did the Deacon try to pump
the young soldier john SiddOns was civ.
lily uncommunicatiye, and the Deacon f.
nally took leave burning to unfold his
budget of news elsewhere.
Il hope, sir, said Carey, uneasiIy, when
they were once more alone, you wont be
hard about that mortgage. I'm poor man,
and
Mr.. Carey, said John, quietly, you
shall burn that mortgage On this hearth
the very day | come in possession Of my
relatives papers. No thanks, sir; I have
not forgotten that | was "a stranger, and
you took ue in Do you suppose shall
ever cease to remember the welcome of
the Thanksgiving hearth? [ never knew
either father or mother; bat to-day have
fancied what their kindness might have
BEEN
1T was for Davies sakep sobbed Mr..
Carey, fairly overcome.
Then for your dead sons sake will you
let me fill his place towards you? Last
night death took from me the only one in
the world to whom | was allied by the ties
of blood; do not turn~me from your hearts,
The Lord bless thee-the Lord make
his face to shine on thee, my second son.
said the old man solemnly
Slowly the dusk gathered athwart the
hill, with wailing winds and whirling drifts
of Snow-sIowly the darkness wrapped
them round; but in Zenas Carey's stead
fast soul the light of an eternal thanks.
giving was burning; and his wife with
fearful eyes, muscd upon her two soldier
bovs-one dead at Gettysburg, the other
sitting at her side.