The mountain Democrat., 1864-11-19

/ G. -
ejaculaAed RSdAen Taylor. And be Cd
not say thSse wprds lightly, but h4DnDsy
and reveFsatly, Rs . Christian Ghond tor
10 the fsce Of that pFUstEate naA be- - ~
recognized hin who had laid his Athetis
I1ead, n the prime ofhis years, uDdR tlle
Rrass-the man who had broken bin mo-
ther's heart, end driven the widow aud
the orphans from their hoUe, aud filed
his own youth With toll, and patient long
ing and waiting.
SWhO is it. Reuben 2 cried Amy.
It's Abel Ross.
A little cry went out of Amys lips, for
that name had been . source of terror and
grief to her ever since her earliest re-
membrance.
And looking on the PROSTATE man, there
came, for a moment, over the soul Of
Reuben Taylor feeling of intense, unut-
terable loathing, mingled with something
Of triumph that his old enemy at last lay
at his feet And then through the feeling
crept the solemn words Of the prayer bis
mother had taught him when little boy
-' Forgive us our tFespasses as we for
give those who trespAss against u.s.
Amy, there is tin pail in the cart
run to the spring, quick, and gil it with
water And the farmer lifted the un-
conscious mans head and laid it on his
knee, and stroked the iron-gray locks
from his face a. tenderly as his own mo-
ther could have done it.
Amy was frightened into unquestion.
ing obedience. Her brother bathed the
white, rugged features. and she stood still
looking on, with long, shivering sigbs-
all the brightness gone out of her face in
its stark terror.
At last, q long. convulsive shiver went
over the man he opened bis eyes and
stared wildly q moment at Reuben he
attempted to rise, but his right arm fell
down helpless-it was broken. He groan.
ed out sharply, and shut his eyes, In
moment he had fallen back into uncon-
sciousness.
What shall we do with him? o,
DEAR cried Amy, wringing her hands.
Reuben meditated n moment They
were on lonely. little-frequented road
there was not house in sight.
we will carry him home, said the
young farmer, decidedly.
'Oh, Reuben, what will mother say ?
calculated Amy, for she could not get
over the old, childish associations with
the name Of Abel Ross, or her terror lest
some evil should befall them when bro't
with himself.
Mother will say did just right an
swered Reuben. And he lifted the man
into the cart, and held his head on his
knee, and chafed his temples with cold
water, while Amy took the reins into her
shaking hands, and drove slowly towards
home.
Once during the SOW drive, the man
opened his eyes, with convulsive start.
Are you in much pain, sirT asked the
young farmer.
Yes, in my shoulder and he writhed
and groaned fearfully, and then suddenly
fastened his eyes on Reuben.
What is your name?' he muttered.
Reuben Taylor he answered. The
young man had the name and face Of his
father.
, There was another loud groan, and o
movement as though the sufferer would
have writhed himself away-but he faint
ed again.
At last thoy drew up before the little
story -and.a.half house.
Amy said her brother, go in and
tell mother who is here you're sensible
little girl when you've mind to be; tell
her in quiet sort of way
Amy understood, and executed her
mission very well, considering her own
agitation. In a moment, Mrs. Taylor np-
peared at the door, with face that seem.
ed fairly death struck it was so white and
: strained.
oh, Reuben = she gasped.
He answered her with look-'I mus
bring him right into the house, mother,
and lay him on your bed. Then | musI
run for doctor, for fear the life has
nearly gone out Of him.
They carried the sufferer into Mrs.
Taylor's little bedroom. The window
was curtAined all summer with trumpet
vine, though which the sunshines filtered
dowa on the striped carpet, or wound its
golden threads among the shadows. So
they laid the sick man under the low rool
to which he had driven the widow and
orphans; and Reuben started of for q
physician, and dispatched messenger to
inform Farmer Ross family Of what had
transpired.
He had three sons, but the eldest was but
twenty, and their mother had died several
years before. They all hurried over
with the hired man, in great alarm, when
they heard the tidiGgs the physician,
however, preceded them, and he pro-
nouuced Farmer Ross to be 10 most
critical condition, and that be would not
answer for his life il he was removed to
his home, that being nearly six miles dis
tant,
It was evident that he had sustained
serious internal injuries, for the large,
stalwart frame would quiver every time
it was moved and great beads Of perspir'
alton gathered on the rugged brow. The
broken arm, too, was much inhamed, and
required constant care.
Mrs. Taylor bad that most invaluable
gift in wOman-a Skillful hand;" and
though one Of the hired women from
the Ross Farm was sent over to take
charge Of the invalid, her ignorance and
awk Wardness gave him 60 much pain, ,thal
she was glad to relinquish her task to the
gentle, soothing fingers Of Mrs. Taylor.
It was two weeks before the physician
gave bis consent 10 the removal Of Farmer
4 Ross What passed through BIS mind
during that time was never known. HG
was naturally reticent man, and tier
he was brought 80, near TO the grave thal
he could almost Nel the cool waSing O.
the banner Of the King Of Death oyer hil
temples. Much Of the time be lay. In I
t1eGVy -StupOf; but there were moInentl
when the eyes under those shaggy eye
bFows would follow 1lGrx Taylor with I
Elcskaef eonseies FlAlDlllE afunnS u,
\ room, md III .sEie her 10 ss 81