The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1865-08-12

ant welcome. But he did not come.
Eight, nine, ton o'clock and put bv
the untasted supper, aud baby and !
went up to the nursery to watch and
wait. How the little thorn in my heart
pierced and wrankled Tom had bro
ken his promise, and my unkindness
was the cause Nothing else rang in
my ears through the long hours.
About two o'clock | heard a noise be
low, and went to the window. There
was a man on the porch, I could just see
him in the dim light,
"Tom, is that you?" l asked softly,
putting out my head.
"Yes; open the door, Lucy; quick,
The police are after me"
My heart sunk The police after
him What should he have done I
ran down swiftly and unlocked the door.
But as did so, two men wearing official
badges stepped up on the porch, and one
of them laid his hand on Toms shoul,
der, and said, II arrest you sir."
For what ?" I cried,
"For murder"
The Aoor seemed sliding from beneath
my feet, but I caught at the door to
steady myself, aud looked at Tom. At
tat instant, the official uncovered his
lantern, and oh, my God there was
blood upon my husbands hands.
All the rest is blank. When l
came to life again, was in bed in my
own room, and kind compassionate faces
were around NE. ] asked for Tom. He
was in prison awaiting his trial, There
had been quarrel at the tavern, With
er my cruel words had driven Tom and
had struck his antagonist. The man
was not daad--tho' they thought he was
at first-but he was badly hurt about the
head. But i. he recovered; well it
would not go so hard with Tom.
| l arose aud went to the prison but
they would not admit me. No ouc was
to see my husband until after the trial.
Another day crept by; night; and
then a morning came. | went down to
the door, and opened it, with that vague
feeling of expectation which always ao.
companies severe affliction, and looked
out, the sun was rising; Gods sun
/, rising graudiy sad brightly ever the
black stone Jail. The frost hung thick
and sparkling over everything even on
the scrap OF folded paper that lay at my
feet Istooped and picked it up idly
as we catch at straw or twig sometimes
without any motive or power Of violation
4 The superscFiptiou caught nay eye; il
y was my own name, and my husband:
Il handwriting. tore it open ant
read /:
"DEAR LUCY-I have broken out o
Jail, aud am going-well, no matte
where. didn't strike Hastings with al
intention to kill him. Twas intoxicated
: and it was more his fault than mine
. but he may die, and then at any rate
y it is better for you, Lucy, for me to &c
!, l never was worthy of your love. Now
you can go back to your father, and for
T get me, and be happy. You, will fin
l the bonds for what money L have
; bank, in the desk it is enough to max
YOU and che child comfortable ! Fol
81 give and forget me, Lucy. God bleS
& you-you and the baby! Tom"
n This was the end That was the rC
;; ward that my cross word had purchase
ID for me Truly, truly y the wages Of ci
III is death. We shall not need one pan
u q of corporal suffering, one spark of re;
o. fire, to perfect our torment, if We ar
g; lost. Conscience is all spAcient-FC
III morse, that worm that never dies. Is
III for Inc to attempt to talk about what
u, suffered in the days that followed tn.
OF morning? Words could not express
ne save to one that has passed through tl
q same furnace of affiiction. But | live,
as for sorrow and death rarely walk in eac
CT others steps, and nursed my babe, an
did the work my hands had to do. Idi
Isl not 90 back to my father. l rename
- in Toms house, and kept his things a
ell about me, even his cap hangiug on til
I" wall Forget him? Docs love eve
:. forget?
1t Hastiags did not die. He recovere,
and made public statement. He WI
10 more in fault than Tom was. Then /
III put notice in all the papers, telling To
to come back; but he did not come,
The winter passed away with lor
he long nights of bitter remorse, and tend
recOllections Of The dear husband, who
90 strong arms bad once been my stay al
'u' support. Yhe spring caHe-the SUI
ur mer-anotherw winter. Fhree years we
by-crept by.
on My child, Toms little baby, grew
NE be q fairy little thing, with blue ey
lat and golden hair, and tongue thatEev
ad wearied of its childish prattliPg. A
er, day long she sat on the doorstep, whe
. the evening sunbeaIns slanted in lispi
IN to Der doll, and listening while l tc
et. her of the father that would come ba
sat TO US one day. For surely he wou
come, gRrely Gods mercy wou
vas vouchsafe some compensation, some pi
san den tor slch repePtapse as my soul b
nm poured forth,
he The third spring was peculiar sou
y L 1