The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-02-17


ters. II was tramp, tramp--Do rest for her
Of the crushed heart and crszod brain.
i remember her. as she was in my early
childhood, toward the last OF her weary pill
grimago. Az my father and elder brothers
were frequently absent, and ns my mother
mover closed her heart or door on tho un-
fortunate, "Crazv Lucy often spont an
hour or two by our frcside. Her appear.
apco was always patched with many colors
aud her shawl and mantle worn aod torn,
until it was open work and fringe. The no.
maindcr of her miserable wcrdrobe she car.
ricd in a bundle on her arm, and sometimes
sho had number of parcels Of old rags,
dried herbs, &c.
In tho season Of flowers. her taltered bon.
net was profuseiy decorated with those
which she gathered in tho woods or by the
way.side. Her love for these an d her sweet
voice were all that were left Of the bloom
md music of existence. Yet no; her meek
and chidlike piety still fingered. Her God
had not forsaken her; down in the dm cha
os Of her spirit, the sniic OF His love still
cleaned faintly-in the waste garden of
her heart she still heard His voice q, even
tide, and she was uot afraid. Her Bible
went with her everywhere-a torn and
soiled volume, but as holy still; and may be
as dearly cherished. my reader, as the cor.
geous copy now lying on your tablo. boond
in purple and gold" and with the guiding
untarnished on its delicate leaves.
remember 10 have heard my mother re.
late touching incident connected with one
OF Lucy's briei visits to ue.
The poor creature once laid her hand on
the curly head of one Of my brothors, and
asked him his name.
William Edain." he replied with tim.
i'd upward glance. Sho caught away her
hand, and sighing heavily, said:
Il knew an Edwin once, and be nado me
brokan. hearted |"
This was the only instance in which che
vas over known to revert to the sad event
which had desolated her life.
Thirty years from tho time of the com.
mencement Of this nourDful history, on q
bleak autumnal evening. o rough, country
wagon drove into the village OF C.. 1t
stopped at the aims house, an attenuated
form was lifted out and carried in. and tho
wagon rumbled away. Thus was Lucy Dut.
ton carried 70 her native town to die.
She had been in decline for some months
and the miraculous strength which bad so
long sustained her in her weary wanderings
at last forsook her utterly. Her sister had
died some timo time before. and the widow.
ed husband had soon after removed With
his family to the far West; so Lucy had no
friends, no bome but the aims house.
Ono day about week from the time Of
her arrival. Lucy appeared to suffer great
! ly, and those who were about her looked FOR
her release almost inpatiently; but at night
she was evidently botter, aud for the first
time she slept TRANQUILITY until morning.
| The matron, who vas by hcr bed side when
eho awoke. was startled by the clear, earn
est gaxe which met her own. but she smiled
and bid tho invalid Good morning" Lu.
| cy looked bewildered. but the voice seemed
to reassure her. and she exclaimed.
"Where am land who are you II do
not know you"
A wild surmise flashed across the mind OF
the matron; the long lost reason Of the wan.
derer had returned! But the good woman
replied calmly and soothingiy-
why you are among your friends. and
you will know me presently"
MAY DO you have seen Edwin and Ellen.
rcjoned the invalid, "havc they come: Oh
had such terrible dream dreamed
that they were married Only think Ellen
married to Edwin Strange it's that
dreamed-tbat."
"My poor Lucy" said the matron with 6
gush Of tears. THAT was not droan. twas
all true"
"All truoi" cried the invalid ! "tben Ed.
win must be untre, and that cannot be, for
no loves me; wo loved each other we'll, and
Ellen is my sister. Let me see them. !
will 90 to them"
She endeavored to raise herself, but fell
back fainting on the pillow.
"Why. what does this mean !" said She
What makes me SO weak :"
just then her eyes fell on her own hand
that old and wi.hcred hand | She sazed OF
it in blank astonisbmcnt.
"Sometbing is the matter of my sight,
she said smiling family, "for my hand looks
like ap old womans."
sand so it is," said the matron gently
"and so is mine; vet We had fair. plump
hands when we were young. Dear Lucy dt
you know me +? am Maria Allen; was t.
cave been your bridesmaid
i will not say more-I will not make tb,
vain attempt to give in detail all thatmourn
ful revealing--to reduce in expressive
words the dread subimity of that hopeless
sorrow.
To the wretched Lucy the last thirty
years were as though they had never been
OF not scene, not an incident, had she
the slightest remembrance, since the rec
reant lover and traItorous sister stood be.
fore her, and made their terrible announce
ment.
The kind matron paused frequently in
the sad narrative of her peor friends mad.
ness and wapderiugs; but the invalid would
say with fearful kindness, go on. go on,
though the drops of agony stood thick up
on her forehead.
When she asked for her sister, the mat.