North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-05-31
TUNKHANNOCK, PA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 81, 1865
VOL. d NO. AZ

which I proceeded to chargs.
He followed my example, and the pistols
were ready for use. ...a
"Now," continued 1, "we will fire across
the centre. table," ..... ....... ...te .-s
saw his cheek blAnch. .s
"Sit there" said I, giving him chair and
taking one opposite him myself. fs
"Who shall give the word-this isn not fair,
stammered he.
There was church close by my room and
the clock would strike in few momenta.
told him we would fire at the first stroke of
the bell,
"Iske your position" said l; 'it wants
| but two minutes of the hour"
SIT will be certain death TO both us.n
$50 much the better %
We aimed at each others heart, rnd cod
see bis cowardly hand tremble. His breast
heaved, and his lip quivsred it wanted onIy
half minute of the fatal instant by the
watch THAI lay upon the table. e 81
"Ready," said I, fiercely. Fire at the first
| stroke % s
"Oh, God % groaned he, and thought he
would SINK through the floor.
"Only second % added I and l mentally
bade farewell to Ellen Sherwood. expecting
| to be corpse in another Instant.
/ saw him waver
"Don't finch" said I,
Suddenly he sprang from his chair, throw
down the pistol, and fed from the room!
lwiped the cold clammy sweat from INV
brow, and tried to recover from The agony of
that moment. He was gone the coward had
fed!
1t was an hour before I could become en-
tirely composed. had passed the chasn of
death, and was living man. My foe was
vanquished without shot.
] have not seen him since. learned the
next day he had sailed for Europe in the
steamer of that morning, and was forever
rid of my rival. My dear Ellen almost faint
ed when I told her how the affair had been
settled. She reproached me for the peril to
/
she should have done if I had been shot, r
pressed her to my bosom, kissed her beau.i-
ful lips, and told her we were rid of my rival.
We were married !; and when the exhibr.
ton of the Crystal Pnlace closed, the picture
of my wife was transferred to my rooms.
c. Mr.. Higgins was very punctusl
man in all his transactions through life
He amassed large fortune by untiring in.
dustry and punctuality, and at the advanced
age of ninety years was resting quietly on
his bed, and calmly waiting to be called
away. He had deliberately made almost
every arrangement for his decease and burial,
His pulse grew fainter. and the light of
life seemed just Pickering in its SOCKETS,
when one Of his sons Observed asg
Father, you will probably live but day
or two; is it not well for you to name your
pail bearers ?"
"To be sure my son." said the diving naa
''it is well thought of, and will do it aow.n
He gave the names of six, the usual NAM
Der, aud sank back exhausted upon his pil-
low. .t .s. -efs
A gleam of thought passed over his with
cred features like ray of light. and hs raj
lied once more. "My son, read the list 10
the name of Mr.. Virgins there 2" a So ds
SIT is, fathern fl a5 - .TsfuS
"Then strike it off p said be, emphatical.
ly, 'for he was never punctual--was never
anywhere in season, and he might hinder the
procession q whole hour % ..rses-s
A.A- -.....-...
TAKE MY HAND, PApA.-In the dead of the
night am frequently awakened by little
hand stealing out from the crib by my side.
with the pleading cry, please take my
hand, papa
Instantly the little boys hand ie grasped,
his fears vanish, and, soothed by. the cor.
sciousness of bis fathers presence, he falls
into sleep again. @
We commend this lesson of simple f1lial
faith and trust to the ANXIOUS, Borrowing
ones that are found in almost every HOUSE.
hold. ..+.
Stretch forth your hand, stricken mourner.
although you may be in the deepest dark
ness and gloom, and fear and anxious sus.
pense may cloud your pathway, and that
very act will reveal the presence of a loving.
compassionate Father, and give you the
peace that passeth all understanding. Efz4
The darkness may not pass away at once
| night may enfold you in its cold embrace,
but Its terrors will be dissipated, its gloom
and sadness flee away, and, in the simple
grasp of Fathers hand, sweet peace will be
given, and you will rest securely, knowing
that the morning cometh. Congregation
alist. --s ....s ... srrsls-A
! The beauty ofa religious life is one of its