Middletown transcript., 1869-08-14

bition in one of the shop-windows, and
on this | had set my heart but the price
was twenty-five dollars. How should /
ever manage to get it? made known
my desires and intentions to mother on
my return home. She looked serious and
thoughtful for moment, then she arose,
and going to the corner cupboard, took
down the blue china bowl, in which she
always kept the proceeds of her butter
pats. I can see her now, with her slight
figure, and pale, worn face, as she stood
in the glow of the freight, counting over
the heaps of silver pieces she had poured
upon the table.
Only twenty-seyen dollars" she said,
with suppressed sigh, as she returned
the surplus two dollars to the bowl; "but
take it my boy, and welcomed"
took il, and bought the brooch for
Jessie.
Isn't it splendid, mother?'' I said,
few evenings after, as 1 was giving the
finishing touches to my toilet, preparatory
to the all-important visit. " She'll be
sure to take it, won't she ?"
I" 10 be sure she will. my boy" she re-
piled fondly, futtering round me polish
ing the bright brass buttons on my blue
cloth coat with the corner of her apron,
and twisting my well-oiled locks over her
thin, labor-worn fingers ''and she'll
take you, too, if she's not devoid of ap-
probation.
My heart swclled with gratifed vanity
as put the glittcring toy in my pocket,
and started. She followed me out, and
down to the garden gate.
J" Good-by, my boy" she called, as I
hurried through. Something in her voice
made me look back, and / noticed that
her face had a strange, white look, and
her eyes were running over with tears.
"What is it, mother ?" l asked, turn
ing and taking her hand.
'' Nothing, nothing at all, my dear.
Only this new joy won't make you quite
forget me, will it, CLANCY 2"
" oh mother, mo-" l cried, throwing
my arms round her neck, and kissing her
white checks. &c I shall never love any
one else as | love you"
"My darling, my PRIDE" she murmur-
ed. g No mother ever had such son
you never caused me moments sorrow,
CLANCY"
"Tm glad of it, mother. Good-byc!"
+" Good-by, my boy p
left her standing there in the autumn
dusk, and went up to Squire Weaver's.
The fatcs were propitious | found Jessie
alone in the parlor singing to her guitar.
. lis you, ChancyE p she said, care
lossly, as | entered, =" There, sit down
while | sinr to YOU -
obcyed reluctantly enough, for [ was
in a fever of impatience 10 this day l
have no idea of what she sang but the
instant she finished was at her side.
"Jcssie," said, unfolding the scented
paper that contained the brooch, "here's
present I've brought you, and"
But she cut short my declaration, which
| had cut and dried" weeks beforehand,
with scream of delight.
50 For me, CLANCY I" she cried, as the
glittering toy flashed on her sight; It's
the very thing l wanted. You dear, dar-
ling boy-how shall I eyer thank you 2"
and scizing me round the neck, she gave
me a hearty kiss.
The touch of her red lips fred my blood
like wine, and set my brain in whirl Of
excitement. In breath | was on my
knees before her, pouring out my love,
and the hopes had cherished, in frcn-
zied accents. At first she stood amazed !;
then, as the full sense of what was say
ing dawncd upon her, she broke into a
gay laugh.
" Oh, CLANCY you silly, silly boy w
she cried, you are too amusing. J. gave
you credit for more sense than this. Get
up, child, and stop this foolish nonsense.
I'm to be married in two weeks to Mr..
Dunbar"
What 1 said or did, how got out of the
house, never knew. found myself in
the meadows, making my way down to the
river. A dull pain throbbed through both
heart and brain, and one strong, irresisti-
BILE impulse impelled me on. My moth
er's loving watchfulness had hitherto kept
my life from all care and sorrow; and l
shrank from pain, and only thought of
ridding myself of it. The great autumn
moon was just up as reached the brink,
pouring down her silver splcndor on the
turbid, foaming waters. sat down be-
meath the shadow of q dropping willow,
listening to the multitudinous gurgle of
the waves, and the moaning rustic of the
branches overhead. Mothers cattle-bells
tinkled softly just below, and solitary
bird, nightingale, perhaps, sang mourn
fully from a neighboring1, thicket. All
these sights and sounds were as familiar
as my own identity; and l felt an infinite
pity for myself, looking upon and listening
to them for the last time-for the last time
it surely was; after the cruel blow I had
received life was out of the question. One
plunge into those dark waters would end
all! And then, when Jessie heard of my
sad fate, she would repent of what she had
done, and love me when it was too late
I even fancied how my funeral would be
conducted, after my body was found, and
actually suffered a good deal from fear
that there would not be an appropriate ep-
itaph written for my tombstone, If l had
4 on1u hod n ccron of raanar and n ynno;l