Middletown transcript., 1869-01-02

away: season after season rolled their tire
some wheels along, until IA years had been
added to the congregated centuries OF the
past !; yet no tidings of Capt. Potter; no,
not even probable conjecture, concerning
the dark mystery of his fate. 49,.
Time, that changes all thingcs, had worn
away the acutcncss of Mrs. Potters grief
which was far more intense than it wouli
have been had she really wept at his grave,
and known that the last moments OF her
husband had been soothed by affection.
As this last voyage of the captain seemed
to be near to the unknown coast, she was
called widow Potter. Having a country
seat of great value, her hand was sought
by many, and as often rejected, until
bachelor, who had resisted the charms OF
womankind for quarter of century, was
smitten with the loveliness of this worthy |
matron, or with the comeliness of her pos
sessions. She at length consented that her
name should be changed to Morane, the
bridal day was appointed the arrangements
were made to greet the coming period with
fcstivity and mrth. The gossips began to
be more oquacious than usual; every tat
tier had her tale of wedding to tell; even
the phicgnotic began to surmise that some
thing unusual was about to be done at the
mansion of the widow.
Late in the afternoon of cold, stormy
da; in November, pennyless beggar
called at neighboring house and inquired
whether the widow Potter lived in this part
of the city. His appearance denoted ex-
trome poverty; his emaciated form was
reduced to skeleton; deep burrows were
drawn in his cheeks, and his frame seemed
to be stifened in every joint by disease or
hardships Yet there was som3thng IN
his eve told he was born to u better for
tune. YES" said his informant, ''at the
very next door, and tonight she is to be
married,
"Is to be married ?" said the beggar.
"How long has her husband been dead!'
"These many long years he went OFT to
sea and has not been heard of since.
"How has she sustained herself since
, her husbands death :"
"Shc has an unblcmishcd character.
"Has she any children?"
'One daughter only, fine young Ia
dy."
t II must see her before she is married
| have communications of Importance.
So saying, he hurried as last as his fee
y BILE limbs would allow to the splendid
dwelling of the widow The maid being
e summoned, aud seeing him before her,
was about to close the door against him,
but the stranger interrupted her by saying:
MADAM may Il bcggar be permitted to
Z? see the widow Potter!'
4? ave expect company to night; there
fore you must leave immediately.
"fhe widow Potter must see.
The maid, who would have been glad to
dismiss her unsightly guest, began to be
y somewhat angry and passionatcly exclaim-
e, ed,
3" Begone; we can't hear you now"
But the man of want was still more I'M
Fortunate, rightly thinking he was not
likely to gain admittancc without making
known his errand, accostcd the maid still
more earnestly, " woman, have some ii,
dings of very great Importance to commu'
IN uicate to the mistress OF this mansion
ali which were given to me in trust by Capt
Potter, the former proprietor OF this place
At the mention Of this he was permitted tt
enter. The lady, who was soon to be Mrs
Morane, was informed that u rude beggal
had some important information for her
= and desired to see her, whereupon she ros
to meet him; but Morane who could not bcal
to have his intended bride absent for
= moment, demonstrated.
II al Let him be called in" said he, i" if h
has any secrets let us hear them together.
Accordingly he was shown into the apart
ment where sat Mr.. Nj. Mrs. z. and he
,se daughter.
'so s' .'rrom whence are you?' asked Mrs
oh Potter.
81 :. From the vile shores of Barbary."
.sa Doubtless you have suffered much
lin cruel people inhabit those regions.
- y" Much have l suffered was ono
;,b in easy circumstances, but alas the elt
70 meuts have sported with this vasclllatln
M frame"
oS oO Yes, deep are the lines of hardshi
which are marked i'll thy turrowed checks
49, The wanderer gazed at Miss Potter All
or wept.
% 10 why those tears inquired Mrs. Po
old ter.
.ed n "Ah /" rejoined the tremulous voice
49,, the beggar, - once had daughter, wi
nc might have become what she Is now, b
,ad slnce the third birthday dawned on h
vos cherub form these eyes have never behe
of her."
ov "Come, come" calculated Morane, wi
or, was anxious that the intruder should d
va, part, "let US hear your tale OF secrecy
of ut shall be given to Mrs. Potter alone
IN ..Ihat cannot ue, muttered Iorane.
.ere "But have made IA promise"
hat "Wnat of your pomise p
on '..t Is sacrca as my lire.
sci Gwen speak anu depart, said Moran
oke The beggar who, until now, had beer
oot- supplicant assumed an attitude OF auth'
This ny; his eye winch thus far had been bea
eer- less, kindled INTO an expression Of the M
ter benign determination.