Weekly Trinity journal., 1868-03-07

IN ~ N1OG1C Os
the lungs, and was gradually sinking. His wife,
an amiable and accomplished woman, perfectly
| idolized her husband and little boy of some six
months of age, who was bright and beautiful as
the morning, and in whom their warmest afiec-
tions centered. In consequence OF her devotion
to her husband and child, she had grown pale
and languid had cold, and at times her
cheeks assumed hue he trembled to behold
"My husbands kind heart enlisted immedi-
ately in the feelings of the physician, and to-
gether they sought the sufferers. Again and
again they went, and, like true Odd Fellows,
watched over him attended to oil his wants,
closed his affairs, saw him die, and decently
buried him then turned their attention to his
| heart-broken wife, who, it was evident, would
soon follow him. cannot" said Mrs. b., wip-
ing the tears from her eyes, describe the scene,
although my husband has oftentimes dwelt upon
it; but a more touching one cannot be con-
ceived. Like summer flower the young mother
faded away gratitude to her friends gleamed'in
| her every look She gave her little boy to my
husband. As her dissolution approached, she
yielded up all, in the sweet hope OF glorious
Immortality; and the consolng thoughts of
meeting once more her beloved husband, took
from death its sting and robbed the grave OF it's
| victory.
60 Bing my child = she one day exclaimed, as
the cold dew gathered upon her marble brow.
Long and closely she held him to her bosom,
ard, although gasping for breath, still retained
him, kiss his dimpled mouth, gazed wishfully
into his deep blue eyes, until she tainted. My
husband took the child, while the physician ad
minstered the restoratives. She opened her
eyes, fixed them once more upon her darling boy,
and looking to Mr.. B., she said, in trembling ac-
cents He is yours, and expired"
Mrs. Belmont covered her face; convulsive
sob swelled her affectionate breast. After
moment, she continued d" The property left, af-
ter all the debts were paid, was five hundred
dollars. The bills were enormous, but could not
be disputed. / was sitting by the center-table,
reading on the evening Mr.. Belmont came home.
He entered the room with a child in his arms,
followed by a colored woman, who was his
nurse.
Mrs. Belmont stopped, while Mrs. Ashton, who
had not moved from the commencement of the
story, lay gazing intently into Mrs. Belmont's
face as if awaiting further development of the
little boys history.
"Why are you so silent ?'' inquired Mrs. B.
81 do not know" replied Mrs. Ashton but
l feel like one in state of mesmerism. That
child's looks have paralyzed my very soul l
have seen him since. Pray tell me his
name; long to know, for be so much resembles
one dear to me''
| "His fathers name was Henry Benton; bis
seeing Mrs. Ashton turn deadly pale, she in
quired the>eause.
I" Proceed" said the excited woman " tell
me his mothers name, if you know, before her
marriage"
"Julia Crawford"
"Merciful God my sister," exclaimed Mrs.
Ashton and clasping her hands, she wept Bit
| terly.
| Mrs. Belmont tenderly inquired into the cause
of her agitation, and sweetly soothed her. After
Mrs. Ashton became calm, she informed Mrs.
Belmont &C My elder and only sister married
contrary to her fathers wishes, and thereby in
Cured his displeasure. She loved her husband
with all the strength of her young heart, nor
was he in any respect unworthy Of her aifec-
tons. My father is proud, high-spirited man,
aristocratic in his views, and fixed as the north
pole in his politics, and every one opposed to
him wrong. Mr.. Benton was firm Democrat,
and as fixed in his principles as my father, and
as unyielding. During the contested election OF
! l8-, in conversation one evening, they became
very warm many words passed between them,
and my father, being highly excited, in an un-
guarded moment grossly insulted him. Mr.. Ben
ton could not brook the offence; he had borne
much for my sisters sake, but this was point
beyond which forbearance ceased to be vir-
tue. He thought separation of all parties, tor
few years, would allay the bitterness OF my
fathers hateful, vindictive temper, when he
would again return with my beloved sister, ana
all would be well. They embarked on board
packet ship for Europe, and arrived safe. He
had handsome capital, which he invested in
goods, and entered the mercantile business in
Liverpool where they were when last heard
+! from them. l wrote her often, and oh how
have longed to see her Although my father
has never mentioned Mr. Benton's name, | know
he is sorry, and would give all the world, did he
possess it, to Julia. When l entered your
house and beheld your child, his expression was
like a fash of lightning across my soul. see
him stl-my sisters own image"
| Mrs. Ashton covered her face with her hands,
and wept She begged Mr.. Belmont to lead her
to the child. Kneeling by his bedside, she gazed
upon his sweet face, as he lay unconscious of all
evil, kissed his forehead, cheeks and lips with
all of mothers tenderness, raised his little
hands to her lips, pressed them to her heart,
nor could Mrs Belmont prevail upon her to leave
him. She slept with him and when Mrs. Bel
mont arose, she walked softly to the bed, and
found the little boy sleeping upon the bosom OF
his aunt, her arms closely encircling him. Her
face was pale with weeping, and her long, loose
curls were wet with the tears of sisterly love-
Mrs. Belmont bent over them until they awoke;
her first words were:
"What think you now of Odd Fellows?"
"Oh will 60 directly home and tell my
husband to become one Immediately for where
would this sweet child have been but for this
blessed institution? You will surely permit me
to share with you in the pleasure OF bringing
him up; we will together instil into his opening
mind the principles of Friendship, Love, and
Truth ! and we will make his regalia, when old
enough to be initiated into the society of Odd
Fellows"
| THAcKERY says when a man is in love with
any woman in family it is astonishing how
fond he becomes of every person connected with
it. He ingratiates himself with the maids he
interests himself with the footman be runs on
errands for the daughter; he gives and lends
money to the young son at college he pats little
| fhotb ba harm kick. he mil al