Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-08-16

ings we're enveloped in flames.
As he gazed on the sad spectacle
the thought that one of his clerks
who usually slept at the store, wa
possibly asleep id those fast becom
ing rains, entered his mind; he rush
ed frsntically into the now totteriu,
buildieg and finding the bed of hi
clerk vacated, joyfully proceeded t.
retraGe his steps to the street. He haC
not taken three steps ere the grea
walls heaved and fell, burying ihei
once proud owner beneath them.
The anguish of the stricken fam ily
was in6iscribable when they received
the thrilling intelligence, that night
had deprived them of the best of S
husban6 and father. And o! in sucl
a terrible manner.
When the first great shock was
over Ms Winfield found Nat Of al
their former wealth. nothing remain
ed utthe house in which they lived
this she sold and removed to pleas
ant village on the Ohio, by which
they were enabled to live in tolerablt
comfort.
Cora, who was at that time eigh
teen years of age. possessed fine
musical talent and education, shs
was anxious to turn these to good
account By irnpartlng to others thai
instruction which had been so Law,
ishly bestowed on her. But as there
was good music teacher in the vii
lage she could not get scholars, and
the health of her mother being very
poor she could not go elsewhere.
But one morning nearly year
after the death Of her father, Cors
and her mother received q pleasant
surprise in the form Of call from
Mrs. Barlow, lady who had been
their steadfast friend in adversely as
well lsas prosperity.
You are evidently surprised al
seeitg me-" said that lady, 81 will
tell you why / came: 1 have beer
speAdirg theChristmas holidays with
sister at D.. While there / ascer.
tained that the seminary there was
in want OF teacher of music: know
ing your capabilities Cora, / thought
it would he such good situation fol
you:.so sister ard / called on the
Professor, told him of you. lie seem
ed much pleased with our descrip,
ton of you, said you would certainly
suit and that he would be happy tC
have you. i told him / would como
this way before l returned to the
city, and try 10 induce you to go; SC
here / am, and here 1 will remain
two days, in which time you can de
termine whether to accept or reject
his Offer
COra's color came and went alter.
nataly while Mrs. Barlow was speak,
ing, it was just what she so much
wished for But how could she leave
her mother? it was not to be thought
of for moment.
When Mrs. Barlow ceased speak
ing Mrs Winfield and Cora express.
ed the warmest gratitude for her dis
interested kindness.
The conversation then took diff.
ferent turn; and the subject was not
again alluded to until alter theiI
guest had retired for the night, when
Mrs. Winfield sought Cora and found
her in her own room.
"What do you think of Mrs. Bar
lows proposal, Cora!" asked she.
81 have thought much of it to day,
but have not thought of accepting
it," answered Cora.
"Wby not? shouldn't you like itT''
asked her mother"
"Oh yes. very much indeed, for ]
could then be enabled to procure for
you the very best medical advice and
have you cured directly" replied
Cora.
''My dear, /, too, have thought
much of it to-day. i think you had
better go, as you will be far happier
there knowing that you are doing
something to aid US, than here feel
ing you are not making the use you
could of your talent. / know why
you have not tried to 60 away before.
/ know what it has cost you to stay,
and am grateful TO you for it, but j
am better now and can get along
pretty well, with Carries help. 1t ID
true, / shall sadly miss your sunny
face and cheerful voice; no one
knows the comfort you have been tc
me in my many troubles, but you will
surely be rewarded for your devotion
to your poor mother" said Mrs.
Winfield, embracing her warmly
$50 conclude to CO." said she, after
a silence Of some minutes, then arose
and left her.
The two days of Mrs. Barlow
stay passed pleasantly; before she
LETT she was informed that Cora had
decided on going to D..
She was much pleased, said shC
would write to her sister-at whose
house Cora was to board-that she
might meet her atthe station in
week from that time.
On the evening before Cora's de
parture the little family were assem-
bled in their pleasant parlor.
'Cora, let us have some music,
said Mrs. Winfield, after long pause
in the conversation.
She arose to obey, but her feeling:
overcame her, and resuming her sea-
she burst into tears.
"Oh, sister, don't co. exclaimed
blue eyed fiaxen- haired Eva, the six
years old pet; "Kho will make dolly''
dresses and bennets? and tell me-
pretty stories when you are gone
Don't cry, sister," continued she
trying to raise Cora's dropping heac
with her little dimpled hands
"Whe will help me govern my
hateful temper? and teach me my
duty. and how to perform it arightl'