St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-02-11

FEBRUARY II, 1864
every means Of living, and and whilst he retain
ed his health had supported his family by
the most persevering industry; but fever
occasioned by over exertioa, bnd come on
his constitution, impaired by anxiety and
labor, had been unable to resist the attack,
and since that: period, the wife who had
been the faithful PARTNER Of his cares and
his tolls had at least so far succeeded as to
maintain her children without the assist
ance " chartty, whether public or private.
"Why rot have written to me when This
bankruptcy took place ?" inquired the un.
Gle. l. T.. 80 ! %s.a =.
"Alas, dear sir we had before heard of
that terrible hurricane, IN which,
''1n which," said the old man filling up
with stern cOmposure, the sudden pause
that from a mixture of delicacy and sym
pathy had arrested Margaret Leslie's words
Fin which the plantation where resided
was laid waste, my house leveled with the
ground, and my wife with :our helpless
childFea in the ruins! In. striving to res.
cue Them, this thigh" ,"-striking the with
cred limb with hazel twig-s.was broken.
owe my preservation to the gratitude Of
IN emancipated negro but for months, for
years, all my life, all nature, was blank
before me! l haze sometimes wondered
how could have survived such a. blow :;
for what purpose was spared The
doubt was sinful, and finds its rebuke, Its
thrice merciful rebuke, in this blissful
hour. You heard, then, Of my losses, dear
Margaret :. Poor William heard Of them 20
"Ne we're sure that something must have
gone amiss, from receiving no reply to the
letter which announced the birth Of our
boy and claimed your promise of standing
godfather At his christening. William did
not like to write again upon such an occa-
sion 1t would have -seeNed like eicroach-
ing upon your too generous spirit. But
when the news of that awful hurricane ar
rived. and Nicholas Hume 'And the Collin
ses made inquiries in London, and ascer-
tanned that your plantation had indeed
been amongst those laid was:e.-then your
silence was too we'll explained! heard
this sad news first for it arrived. during
the dreadful illness which preceded my hus-
bands bankruptcy. And when he regain.
ed so much breathing time after his own
dings could be obtained; all trace of you
seemed lost. 0, that lie had lived to see
this day! His will he done! But o, that
my poor husband had but lived to see once
more the kinsman he loved 20 well!"
The old man pressed her hand in speech
less emotion, and Margaret, smiling
through her tears, went on:
"You must live with us, dear uncle, and
we shall wait upon you and work for you,
and be happy ,cgether-as happy as We
can be without him-after ALL My Annie
| is coed girl-O, such good girl! and
pretty. is she. not dear uncle !? and poor
MietAs x,au- namesakc, is a boy Of thou
sand. ,Fs nave had much TO be thankful
for. Farmer Rogers, the overseer, whose
| books my husband kept, (li,tle. Michael
keeps them now, as we'll, tho farmer says,
Us his father did, supplies US with milk
twice day. Mrs. Lascelles, the rector's
wife, employs Annie and me constantly in
| needlc-work for her large family; and il
we can but keep our pretty cottage-if We
can keep that cottage at whose porch poor
William planted the honey suckle and the
China rose, and the vine which now covers
the thatch-that cottage where We worked
and Vept together, and where he died the
death OF the righteous; if We can bat live
| together there, within sight Of the turf that
covers his remsins, should ask for moth
ing better on this side Of the grave.''
| The widows tears flowed Afresh, and
once again: the old man pressed her hand
| is there any doubt of your retaining
this beloved habitltion, dear Margaret
And does my coming cause that doubt:'
20, no! no! dear uncle, not in the slight
est degree. The cause of doubt is, that w
have no lease, and thai Miss Collins, as she
calls herself poor Williams cousin, wants
It: for some purpose or other-peoplc say
| with tie view Of marrying, but this is idle
talk-ylllage gossip What IS certain IS
that she wishes to take it, and is willing tt
give st1c pohnas i year more rent than
now give OF can afford to give. If our OH
landlord, Mr.; Godfrey, had b: stayed, he and
remain; but the Hall, lind the village, and
the whole estate are sold, and the new lord
of the manor is cd:sing his evening"
Hark you may hear the bells ringing ever
now. Mr.. Godfrey ande Indy Elizabeth
intend staying few days at'tks rectory
you saw them ride by with their dogs; they
have promised to speak in my favor TO- tic
new landlord; they mentioned it even now
and the good rector and his excellent lady
will second my petition; still
'Be of good cheer, Margaret Even il
you should leave your pretty cottage,
! would wager something The old man
checked himself, and resumed, IN an indif
ferent tone-'Who is the new lord of the
manor? what is his name /? 4- s.5 -,
The property was purchased by Mr.
Price tut he is understood to be an agent
and have not heard the name Of the real
proprietor, who is said to be an elderly
gentleman, and SO rich thas he will hardly
be tempted to turn az old tenant from hel
cottage for so trlaing an addition of rent
Nevertheless-' go. '+-. <1<s@@
|, Once again, Margaret, be Of good heart,
reiterated her uncle. ~ araE.5 ...~ -
1.-The tenants are to meet him in the ave-
nue :; the farmers aud their sons on horse.
back, the csttagers, women and children,
on foot. Ought Ito join them? I have
no shame il honest labor, but do not shrink
from meeting the scorn Of those purse
proud kindred Who and poor Margaret s
tears fell fast. tOught to be there, dear
uncle? will IS Or stay, as you direct.
81 Go, Margaret: Go and fear nothing.
Gather up your treasures: the jug, whose
generous draught was the sweetest ever
quaffed; the wheat ears, and the cradle
with its growing babe blessing on it's dear
face ! Go boldly ); will not shame you BY
these unseemly rags, but will rest awhile
unoer the friendly shade Of the hazel, while
you return home and prepare for the pro-
cession. Be sure that you fail not. We