Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-11-24
TIE BROKEN HOME.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FIcTIo

In San Francisco, on the north side of
Folsom street, overlooking Mission Bay,
stands palatial residence
TIE interior Of this house i. even more
beautiful than its exterior. every apartment
being IN It's way gem Of magnifcenee and
refinement.
The library especially realizes the most
perfect ideal of az elegant and cultured home
And vet, at the moment We look IN upon
him-one August afternoon, as he occupied
his libraFy-the proprietor OF all this wealth
appeared Of all men the most miserable
He was Mr. Morton PTeble. Tor many years
a leading banker Of San francisco.
Il was IN vain that the broad bay-Nindog
at the south end of the room had been open
ed. giving iBcreSs 10 the sunshine aud the
fragrance OF rare fowers-in vain that the
walls we're lined wi'h richly carved book-ca-
scs and paintings-in vain that soft couches
and luxurious chairs lad been gathered
around him.
He was wretched.
lie lay on sofa, in the depths Of great
bay window, the wreck of 4 once powerful
man His figure wzs thin and gaunt; his
face White as marble; his eyes having au
expression of woful apprehension, of har-
rowing anxiety, Of dreadful expectancy.
1t Wa evident st glance that no merely
physical ailnlent had made him rhat be ives
By what wiiherlug secret. by what de-
stroying aifiictioD. had he been thus agoni-
zed thus haunted? thus hunted? be 20
noble and good Lie SO 5caltby aud distin-
guiShed
As he movedrestlcssly upon hisluxu-ious
cushions the pretty clock on the mantel-
piece struck FIVE. every stroke seeming to
fall Ike hammer upon the heart OF the
nervous invalid. He aroused himself, stFug
Cling feebiy to a sitting posture.
'0h. will this fatal day never, never pass?'
he murmured; nor bring us relief?'
Noticing with nervous start that he was
alone, he touched bell upon table before
him, and called:
Helen. Helen where are you p
Before the echoes of his voice had died
ont a step was heard, and his wife entered
his presence.
Il left you only for moment, Morton,
she said, advancing TO the bankers side
gu were dozing,l think. | wished TO
send for the doctor
She was beautiful woman, of some six
and thirty years graceful with broad white
brows, and lOving eyes, in which the bright
ness and sweetness OF a sunshlny nature were
still percepliIie, under grief and anxiety
no less poignant than that evinced by her
husband.
The DOCTOR he echoed, half reproach
fully
Yes. dear, she said in calm and cheer
ful voice, as she drew chair 10 the side OF
the sofa, aud sat dewG, siroking the CORFU
gated forehead a. t3e~ Invalid WIKI a mag
netic touch. lie viii be here immediately.
Yaur last nervous crisis alarmed me. You
NAV become seriously ILL.,
tlr Prehie bestowed an aficctionate lock
upoa his v.ie, but said desroudently:
The doctor! lie cannot minister TO
mind diseased. On. IL these long hours
would ouiy pass. Il | only knew what the
iay has ye; ia store fnT Us
Look up. Morton t' eaj7incl Mrs. Pre-
be. with a gcyeren'!y trus;iul glance upward
through the oreu wind1v al the blue SKY.
and as It looking beyond the azure clouds
herein Let u appeal from 'he injustice
and 8ickedness NJ earth to the goodness and
mercy Of Heaven !
The banker gave low. Sobhirg sigh
Il cannot l,1k Up, Helen, he answered.
with 4 passionate trcInor in his voice--'ouly
down, down al the grave that Is opening be-
fore me -
Mrs. PreJIe continued to stroke his fore
head softly, while she lifted her pale face to
the sunlight streaming into the apartment.
Look up. Norton-always lock up" she
again enioined upon the invalid. During
all these fourteen years Of agony, | have not
once doubted either the goodness or business
Of Heaven Blessed are they that mourn,
for they shall be comlorted | believe that
we shall vet rejoice more keenly than We
have mourued, and that we shall come to a
GLORIOUS day OF JOY beyond all this long night
0f sorrow -
The face Of the invalid lighted up with
an answering glow. and he uluimured:
Glorious iai,hl My wife. you are indeed
a blessed comforter! Perhaps, after aH,you
are right -
\ knock resounled on a side door at this
iuncture. and the next moment DR.. Hutton,
tue family physician, for whom Mrs. Prebe
had sent. entered the room.
He was an old man. portly in figure, with
white hair and beard. bat with fresh and
rudy complexion, pair OF shrewd blue
eyes, and with an exuberaDt boyiShne5s Of
manner that sat we'll upon him. He had q
kind heart and clear head. He approach
ed the sofa. alter greeting the husband and
wife, and lifted the thin restless hand of the
invalid. feeling his pulse.
Quite a high fever" he said, after a
brief pause "Worrying again. eh. Mr..
Preble? You are wearing yourself cut.
Medicine will DO 10 good SO long as your
mind is in it, present condition. | must
give you an oplate-
Not now, doctor, interposei the bank
er. i cannot-muSt not->lucp to-day |
need 10 be broad awake now, for cannot tell
at any moment what the next may bring
forth. am looking for the elimination of
all nv years of anguish-i1r the crowninC
agony Of the whole. Perhaps even now
All. what was that !
He started up wildly, and then. as the
sound that had disturbed him was not re
peated. he sank back again upon his cush
ions. paiid and painting.
The doctor lo1ked at Mrs. Preble with en-
anxious. questioning glance.
1T Is the anniversary she replied TO
his uusroken ibquiry-'the anniversary OF
our loss. "
All, yes" said the doctor, 4 remem-
ber.'
Yes, it's another of those terrible days, .
cried the banker, in a hollow whisper sit
down. doctor, and | will tell you the whole
story. | can think of nothing else to day,
and am almost wild with apprehension and
anxiety. Sit down,
Dr. Hutton drew up chair and seated
himself. his face expressing the double so.
hcitude of friend and physician.
''Y gu knew US fourteen years ago. doctor,