The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-01-23
For the Jeffersonian
THE UNION VOLUNTEER.
BY II. LANGFORD.
CHAPTER XVII.

| Ou haFO UiOhcu utdIt.
Father!"
My hairs are grey with sorrow, my
eyes dim and sightless = oh Lollotha
Camilla wept. She allowed her tears
to flow freely = they are as healing to
the sufferer when all hope is past, and
the trials of life darken round us: we
might write whole volume on the word,
Tears" and fabricate moral into every
line. Everybody has shed tears : all
know and feel their reviving power, and
all seek in their soothing outflow, con-
ISOLATION not to be found in any thing else.
Camilla permitted herself to weep, as
she knelt upon the floor, and laid her
head upon her fathers knees: she knew
not the story of her own sorrow, but she
wept as lovers generally do = one feel
ing, one object, and the rest of the world
is unheeded. Love and tears are com
pounded from virtue naturally, and they
are kindred in their effects = they exalt,
beautify, and make happy.
| She sobbed with that low, tender sound
of broken affection, and INDUCED in the
| peace-giving swell, which, as it were,
raises the heart above its own anguish.
For moment she lifted her soft, melan-
choly eyes to the face of her father, and
faltered in sad tones of supplication =
Father, = as you loved mother have
pity. Austin is kind and dutiful, forgive
him. The fault is mine, and you may
punish me, but mother, whom you always
loved, will be offended. In heaven she
will be sad when you have driven her
child away. Is it not noble and generous
to forgive?"
But he answered not, and in the same
strain she continued -
Il will love you for him, father, and
do every thing that you desire to make
you happy; so that he may return, and
be in your confidence as before. 1 will
heal your heart, aud restore your grey
hair with my tears if you will again love
him. He is truehearted, gentle and
kind, and too young to be away in these
cruel wars. If you have sorrow for him
| will recompense with affection; if an
ger, l will soothe it with my weeping.
IF you love him / will in my gratitude
love you in return. Your looks are cold
and sorrowful, and if the parent is sad,
who shall rejoice over his children?"
And still he was silent. Thoughts
more worldly were now working in his
mind, and he needed not her appeal
X cen and bitter should be the affliction,
that could soften down his cold spirit
and keener still, that could sink it into
sorrow and melancholy. If our hearts on
ly spoke what we felt, our world would
be quite different from what it appears,
and should lead US to more happiness in
pursuit of the one thing necessary. Her<
was being in whom Truth never found
resting place "a man whose creed was
avarice, his occupation crime, and his
career blot upon the high destiny of his
race. How many thousands are similar
at this very hour; and how few are there
who would not be willing to pursue the
same end? AS long as the laws cannot
find US out, we are accounted honorable
and upright.
If he should die in the wars, father,
think of that; surely, father, you will al
low him to return, now that you have
considered. How lonely will your heart
seem then, gone, too, and with my hus-
band none left to keep you happy. You
are not cruel to him l know, but you are
troubled In the course he took and would
punish him; but oh! think of evil men
in battle - let Austin come home again.
We shall all be happy"
And, with childlike simplicity, she
tried to soften down his resentment, and
gain his consent She looked fondly
into his face, the tears still shining in her
soft melancholy eyes, and her cheeks rosy
in the passionate overflow of her heart.
She knelt at his feet with that endearing
beseechfulness with which children pray,
aud she asked pardon for her brother in
tender and supplicating tones. He no
ticed her at last, and moaned rather than
spoke:-
"Other children are blessing to their
parents, but mine are sorrow. They
know not how to obey, or love them !;
they think they are wiser, and they des-
pise instruction and advice; but they
shall find out that there is a bitter alter
native behind, which they must be will
ling to accept. l loved the boy, and
formed great plans for his advancement,
but he has refused and acted for himself
Henceforth he is none of mine - you,
too, must forget him = have said it."
Forgive me, father, but l cannot. l
love him too fondly to willingly disregard
him, and cannot fulfill your desire.
Shonld you frown upon me, | will glad
ly suffer for his sake, and pray that you
may find out his merits as / do. Austin
is painfully sensitive when offended gen.
tie when loved, and noble when regarded.
Father, l love him."
Wby?- Is he your loyer?"
Camillia's cheek reddened, and she cast
her eyes downward for a moment; then
raising them, as the hectic deepened on
her fair cheek, she said, calmly: -
g He loves NE, father, and love him.
He is my brother our infancies ended
4 l.