Nebraska advertiser., 1868-04-02

i
DR.. Webb, the parish surgeon, on the
other. At the foot of the bed, close by
the table on which were placed various
articles of food and medicine, sat Reuben
Dymond and his wife. | mention the
exact position severally occupied by the
verious persons present, for a reason
which will appear hereafter. AS for
myself I sat next to David, at the op.
poslte end Of the table, but so near the
bed-for the whole apartment was Of
very small dimensions-lhat / could
conveniently shake the sick mans hand
and catch the feeblest accents Of his
voice.
need not describe the doctor and the
unrse, but must say few words con-
corning the personal appearance of Reu-
ben Dymond and his wife. Reuben was
fully twenty years oder then his half
brother. a man of powerful, muscular
frame, with a set of features originally
good, but now rendered coarse and heavy
by habits of dissipation. His wife, who
was much younger then himself, was
rather a well looking young woman, but
with an appearance Of tawdry fnery about
her which did not attract me. The
cherry -colored ribbons in her bonnet
were new, and she had pair Of massive
rings dangling from her ears, but her
gown was dingy and ragged
After a brief interest of religious
conversation, the sick man feebly pressed
nv hand and spoke thus
And now, sir, about parting my bits
of things between the two boys
At these words, Reuben and his wife
who had hitherto appeared totally un-
interested, looked up with some little
animation.
Reuben and David, continued the old
man, as he endeavored to raise his head
from the pillow. you're the only children
l have left to me, and I want ye to share
alike
That's scarcely fair, father, is iI?'
observed Reuben, with a sort Of laugh.
You've knowed me a score of years
longer than you have knOwed David.
Besides, he's a single man, earning
good wages, while I've got Martha and
i've HUuuR uuS ~
He speaks truth. murmered John Dy-
mond. Say, Reuben, what will content
yea
L shan't be hard to please answered
the elder son. Give me the pick of the
furniture, the pots and pans and the
why. you want evrythiag,' exclaimed
David, angrily.
And I've a right to evrything, young
whipper-snapper. Aint l the frst-born
by twenty years?'
Hush, my friends said /, interfering
do not grieve your fathers last moments
by quarrelling.'
1 have good cause to be angry said
David He says | am single man,
and so I am; but who has kept J John Dy-
mond from the wUrkhouse since the palsy
struck him? Not his eldist son, but his
youngest. Who has fed and clothed
these five children while their parents
were idiing at fairs aud horse races? Not
their father, but their fathers half
brother.'
Boys, boys,' said The old man, i'm
ploringly, don'l ye get to words together
l want ye to be good friends before
take the last long journey. Say, David,
what will content thee!'
David was about to reply, warmly,
but took his arm and whispered in his
ear that he wop1 please his father best
by yielding to Hfs brother.
But before SIX months are gone they
will have sold evrything, sir, remonstrat-
ed the young man in return. 'AlI the
old furniture will be in the hands Of
Strangers
i will provide against that / said, i
will make Reuben an offer for IT,.
Come, David, said his half brother,
with a sneer, cant ye make up your
mind without consulting the parson7'
.fFather.' replied David. IF you were
not lyiEg sick, I should ask for a fair
division; as il IS, I'm willing that you
should give Reuben evrytbing, except
lhB'eiock and the shelf Of books. viii
that suit you, Reuben?'
'Ay, that it will bravely,' cried Reuben
exulIngly. Give US your hand. Davv.
You're better brother than / took you
for
i should like Reuben to have one
book, murmured The old man, lust BY
way of remembrance. Would We kindly
look through them. Mr. WondwarGl'
At these words took the books from
the shelf-Ihey were only a dozen ID
number-and laid them on the table.
The Whole Duty Of Man!' | said,
interrogatively.
Mo- answered Reuben, with a shake
of his head, mot in my line, SIR
"A Prayer-Book?' continued.
No. let Davy keep it, answered Rev.
ben, contemptuOusly.
This seemed a precious old family
relic 1 observed. The titlle-page bore
the date of 1859.
No, sir replied David; father bought
it only few days before be took ILL., He
bought in of travelling hawker FOR the
sake of the big print
As he spoke 1 was slowly turning over
the leaves of the volumn, searching from
Idle curiosity TO see if the form of service
appointed for touching persons afflicted
with the kings evil was contained in it.
Suddenly ! uttered an exclamation of
surprise. My friends l said, this
Prayer Book is more valuable than apv
of Us probably suspected
As I spoke these words. 7 held ,ba