The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1868-12-04
gel9tt gtpry.
AFTER THE VICTORY.
BY A. NJ. MITCHELL.

anu Ill IfODI Ol Illc HuLc. ''ttb W ny 'Niil !
during the long hours, anil the light work
upon which have betn ergaged hot scrf!ng |
fully TO occupy my mind, have been think |
ing over the last Eve years Of My life, and
the struggle and victory which 20 changed
the whole course of my e2istehce.
Very Etmbly, very sorrowlhlly, ! have |
been mdsihg, yet still with Il consciousness
of Il duty performed, which brings with it
devout sense OF gratitude TO that Being
who prompts to duty Feeling THUS, | have
thought, Since the night fell, that perchdrce
ifr should tell the story of my strugglei
some one Might, through my poor example,
be led to make The sane effort that | was
helped to make, and give UP their own com
fort, at the call of duty, and for the sake OF
| others. -..
Acrotdhgly, I have draHn my disk Near
ne, and lighted my lamp, and while the rain
| falls without pause outside, and tie fire baZes
and crarElcs IL tho CRATE, | look bnck upon
my time OF sGrrow.
| 1t began on one Of The fairest attumn
evenings Just after sundown. l was stand'
! ing by the gate, looking up and down the
road, admiriug the autuMnal tlntS on the
maple-trce opposite, aud listening tc wren
who was chirping Il good night to me from
neighboring tree. | Tas Waiting for Harry
who came up the road by our house at tins
time every night, and who always stopped
| to chat with me few moments at tue gute
He came later in the evening again, lor
Harry AMI were shortly to be married, but
never would miss the few moments at the
gate.
The wren had not finished her sorg, when
saw the figure | knew so we'll, III the dis
tunca, and the remainder of the bird $ war
Bile was lost upon me as l contemplated his
advancing /. rn.
GLOW is NiIlic this EVENING"" he asked,
in his own pleasant way, as lie Game up.
"Well," said, with smile, reaching
hlm my hand. zee,
"Can she bear to hear some news?' he
asked again, with IL little smile which prom
isud something worth while.
"Ncs," returned, Il would like some
news kerry much, indeed. Is it pleasant
You may Judge ot that yourself, he
said lightly and handed me an open letter.
read it, and then handed it back without
a word to offer in comment, aud with trem-
bling hands and checks ufame, for it was q
long oypertod letter from California, bid
ding HIM ctr,c clt there Immediately; and II
had long neo been decided that when he went
his vile should accompany him.
GLOW fnghtcmed In Is he said, laugh
inc, and >liil htljiHr the hand that returned
the lctter--,Reh bending down, he said
Are you ready TO go, iny dear Millie!
My head was bent for minute, aud theI
| Fitted it to Iii face, oh! so Inil oil love ant
care for me, and replied without iaitefIl'9-
eyes, / am ready ..
lie thanked ma. grayely and gently, an,
then promising to come a gain in the evening
went AWAY up the street. My eyes followe
him until his figure was l"st in the distance
and then p!uckng il rose from bush Eea
@ me- and Bloving with it as walked, pas:
ed up and into the house, so happy 50 glad
Oh! how it all CONES back to me after thes
yeursl
set the table rUr supper ~ the same hal
ny mood talking gaily and brightly TO m
mi,nthrr. who sat Enitting by the window
NIy muther was an Invalid, but always chee
tui nnd rncomplaining; she was very goo
c,ymuunv. When / Lad lrished and Il
table was in spotcss order, | sat down
await my brothers return from tho mill
lie was very late tonight, and | held n
watch in my hand Tor fifteen minutes, Wo
deriug what kept him; but at length | put
away, and took up book to while away Il
moments, saving my new joy until Har
should come, and we ccn'd talk it over I
gether. At length heard Farmer Arnoll
wagon coming up the road. | concluded
would 80 out to meet him. Tor he hau COZ
from the mill OF which my brother was
owner and might be able to give me sol
account Of HIM
walked slowly down the path ana i
just reached the gate as he drove up al
much to my amazement, he checked
horses and Sprang out
"Niss Nilie, I'm very sorry tor you, /
cure" be began, awkwardly; but interru
ed him. 49,,
whats the matter?" l asked hurried
"Why, there been irouo9 AT ine n'L' ~
he said, cautiously as II ne ie"'eT ,', ~ i
me- me- "ppu puu+ ,sottr W. pr09d T9ad CnnId YOU c
IoS ISnntLan hG., p PLi Loin t5e men lIt him ont?"
'oIina'han " i'o'P .I,l va0 ,noi. of ,ha woaon
,,l Was va Iou"I ToI f"i.baJ I sneakinp a6d gaz
noeorIy lore nV nsidn mYI MIA Woroce law there with
GoSJ',S IaJ nnnn his arm and his ewes shut, 10
heau me-, opo" maIo. I,S hmf conld not see that
IuS US ,TaS ye:y rb much hurt, until suddenly, as