The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-02-28

|, sank back unable TO articulate NOR,
and just then Bridget entered ant
cut short the aecumulating words.
The twilight of evening had come
land the sitting room was lighted
Mr.. Smith took out his portfolio
rang the bell, and Bridget entered.
Bridget said Mr. Smith, 4 am
sorry, but Mrs. Smith says she will
dispense with your services after to.
morrow. You have been here two
months-I wish / could say two years
and / am sorry to part with you.
Sign this receipt, and here is bonus
with your wages
! And he placed package of coin by
the side of tie paper.
Mr.. Smith took up the receipt and
glanced at The name. and then walked
across the room and held the paper
before his wife.
Mrs Smith, said he, 'her name is
Frances-not Bridget
A blush suffused Mrs. Smiths face
Frances, what State are you from?'
Inquired Mrs. Smith as the woman
was leaving the room.
Massachusetts, she replied.
what part Frances
Lowell
Were you acquainted with Mr..
Robert Dupue's family ? she eagerly
inquired.
Yes, quite WE'LL she answered very
quietly.
And is the old gentleman still liv-
ing 2 Mrs Smith earnestly asked,
and continued, Il have not heard from
there in long time
NO, he is dead,' she replied with q
sigh. 'He has been dead almost one
year.
Dead poor old man. Mrs. Smith
exclaimed, and she brushed tear
from her cheek. Tell me, Frances,
all you know about him, and his
death, and / will-be thankful to you
for it,
Il suppose his death was like that
of many other poor old men, she be-
gan-and continued as sad express
sion stole over her face: 'The old
gentleman had two daughters. The
youngest got married and emigrated
to st. Louis with her husband, leaT-
iiEg the eldest at home with her father.
Finally she too married, and like her
younger sister emigrated to the west
with her husband, and left the old
gentleman alone; and / believe he
never heard from her Afterwards
only through strangers l heard
that they came to California and it is
said that her husband, Mr.. Smith,
was rich
Frances. hasten your recital ! ex-
claimed Mrs. Smith impatiently, sand
and tell me about Mr.. Depue's
death
The tale is q short one, madam
Frances replied-and she gave Mrs.
Smith look that made her tremhle.
The old gentleman she continued,
was left alone to the tender mercies
of strangers. A long sickness fol-
lowed and exhausted his once COM
petent means; for, in the absence of
those who should have been at his
bedside, there IVES no one to take
care of his affairs. After all was
gone, they mercllully sent him to the
almshouse"
sOh, my God. and he died thereT
exclaimed Mrs. Smith, between the
choking sobs that escaped from her
lips.
oh, no, he did not die there
Frances replied, 'for his youngest
daughter returned. She buried her
husband at st. Louis, and after gath
ering her estate together, she turned
her attention to her fathers house.
The misfortune of her parent was a
sore grief: but soon she prepared q
home for him, and for nearly year
she nursed and watched over him,
and on his death bed received his
last blessing in reward for her duti
full conduct. He is buried beside his
wife in the old burying ground
Frances grew pale at this recital,
and her tears fell, as did those of her
hearers.
sAh, then my poor father is deadn
exclaimed Mrs. Smith, 'and Ella, my
sister, where is she?'
sShe remained in Lowell some time
after her fathers death, expecting TO
hear from her sister Elizabeth, to
whom she had often written without
receiving any reply. She finally con-
cluded to come to California. She
arrived here two months ago, and by
a strange fatality was introduced into
her sisters house as servant, where
she has been ever since
Her words were so calmly spoken
that Mrs Smith was startled.
How could this be- exclaimed
Mrs. Smith, as she sprang toward
Frances, 'and / not know you : All,
Ella Frances, my sister'-and Mrs.
Smith extended her arms to embrace
her. But Frances quietly prevented
her from dong so, as she replied:
No, Elizabeth, l came here as
your servant, as such you have treat
ed me, and as such 1 will leave
And she left the room. Not the
prayers of her sister, nor the entreat
les of her brother in-law, could
change her resolve.
It was terrible lesson to Mrs.
Smith and she will never forget it.
Ella Frances Depue W was
soon married to q merchant who knew
her at St Louis, and appreciated her,
and she is now mistress of a home
equal to that of her sisters, and more
replete with happiness.
With the exception Of names, this
STORY of to day is true; and the ac-
tors need not blush at the recital. for
this is one of the many that are
stranger than fiction.
Care of the Colts.