Middletown transcript., 1868-01-18

llnu Iatncr tnefe L saw, altnOuHn ne
embraced me with seeming checrfuncss,
that something was wrong, and when |
asked for mother and Alice, he said Alice
was not well and ho had come after us.
Oh, how trcmblcd, and my nervous hands
shook as | made us ready. i knew Alice
must be i'll or father would have written
instead of coming. A letter would have
delayed us one train, 80 he came to hasten
~ home. | was so troubled scarcely
noticed Scrty's delight at the prospect Of
seeing Alice soon. As we ratified over
the distance in the noisy train, chidcd
myself for ever leaving her, praying God
to restore her health, if in accordance with
tHis will.
My first words to mother as she met us
at the door were: How is AliceY is she
very ill will she know me? o let me
see her right away, let me go to her."
my daughter" she replied, +" the child
is ill, but you must calm yourself before
you see her. Lay off your.wrappings and
take something to refresh you. Alice has
a severe attack of the scarlet fever and
Gerty must not see her, neither must you,
until you have eaten something"
followed her directions, scarcely know
ing what | did in my anxiety to sec my
|child. When mother took me to her room
how it wrung my heart to see her suffering
SO. The dear face flushed with fever, and
the tongue and throat so swollen and in-
famed she could scarcely utter the glad
cry, "Oh! mamma, you have comet"
"My darling" | said, "you must get
well now, mamma is here to nurse you"
"Where is Gcrty?'' she said, didn't
you bring hcr?" a
i told her yes but she could not see
her till she got better, for fear Gerty would
get sick too.
She turned away with sigh.
All that night and the next day | watch
cd beside her. / could see she was grow
ing worse; ; her mind was wandering, and
sometimes she did not know me and would
beg me to come home to her.
When the physician came watched his
counteHance as he felt the futtering pulse
and noted the quick respiration, and as he
turned away | said, ''oh, doctor is there
no hope Donot say youcannot save her =
q" My dear madam he replied, "yot
must prepare for the worst. God will
take her to Himself; there she will b.
free from pain and will never know TIN
{ sorrow you now feel. Give not yoursel
mp to despair, but be able to say 1t i
" the Lord He doeth what seemeth hin
;, good. >"
Soon | saw the Death Angel had touch
= ed her. She opened her eyes and lookin!
\ at me said:
: "Kiss ne, mamma, | am going to liv
+ with Jesus. shall know papa there, am
! you and Gerty will come too some day.
:, Then looking up with a sweet smile sh
= ! passed away. oh, how longed to REGAL
! the past few months. thought that ha
been with her all the time my love an
care might have saved her.
:, They laid her in the quiet church-yard
= where the birds would sing above he
: grave. Bowed down with grief and re
y y morse l returned to the city, having hear
: from my sister-in-law that if | wished
y retain my school there must return in
!, mediatcly.
i Time, prayer, aud my duties softene
y. my grief, and l rejoiecd that Gerty We
7 spared to me, and was growing in beaut
= and intelligence. She had mourned wit
= me, but she tried with thoughtful tendcl
= ness to Danish my regret.
- had been in Albany about year, whc
y at Il sociable given by my sister, | met
d gentleman by the name of Van Gelt. II
i was a man of fine personal appearance,
\ looking about forty years of age, as h
- dark hair and beard were slightly tinge
\ with grey.
y He said he was a stranger in the cit.
! had only been there a few days. IL
= home was in Washington, he had con
= here on business, and as he expected
u stay sometime, had brought letters of IL
~ PRODUCTION with him. He showed me Sc
II eral to eminent men in Albany from var
- - GUS officials in Washington, He was a m;
y Of very pleasing address, and entertainil
n in conversation. We met frequently
y various entertainments and he often call
III at our house.
Al Finally, his attentions to myself We
MI so assiduous | could not misunderstal
j them. And when it occurred to me tn
y n he regarded me other than friend,
. feeling of repugnance came over me.
bSs had never thought of receiving the attic
nj tions of any gentleman as a s,itor for
.or hand. Second marriage had never cross
i my thoughts.
= Seeing l repulsed him, only redoubl
his diligence to please me and he "
/ ever the courtly, deferential gentlem
H. when with me. } 44# e=
tly He urged bis suit in every way, a
eh finally, through the advice of my frient
l accepted him. But frankly told h
lso l did not love him, and only felt de
my respect for him. He seemed satisfied a
lth happy, and said as he kissed my Torches
ng Il hope to make you happy and neN
et- repent your decision"
The wedding was fixed for an early d
ng as he said his business would require
nos attention in Washington, the followi
10 month. We were to take wedding t
rht - ~, ooutbarn bnma anco1nnaniad