Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-01-28

/ kissed her Good night
"The next morning, as was starting
cityward, | met Lucy riding on horse
back, as was her custom. She was not
mounted on her own gentle, trusty Beau
ty, but on a newly purchased horse, q
handsome, spirited creature, and though
she managed him well, distrusted his
quick, fiery eye.
81 cautioned her against him, telling
her she had better return and get Beau
ty. She replied that Beauty was lame,
and she had no fears Of Tempest.
Il told her the name was ominous,
but she said he was called so on account
of his speed; that he was perfectly tract
able, and kind in disposition.
81 watched her, as she rode off, and
vague sense of i'll siezed me and would
not be reasoned away.
81 had much to do that day, but so
strong were my forebodings of trouble,
that attended to the most necessary
business only, resolving to return home
that evening.
II arrived home quite late, and went
directly to Lucy's. The door was not
open as usual, and l noticed that though
the windows were up, the blinds were
closed. opened the door and entered
the hall. There was not voice or foot
fall to be heard The silence oppressed
me- l entered the parlor; the perfume
of syringa and roses hoated in on the
sweet, cool air. A dim light was burn
ing, too dim to outshine the moonbeams,
which found their way through the half
closed shutters, and fell silvery and cold
on stark, ghastly something which lay
upon the sofa. My heart stopped beat
ing as | calmly, almost unconsciously,
approached the object. / raised the
sheet, and saw the white, dead face OF
my darling.
"At first it seemed dream. / was
numbed. My senses were paralyzed -
but the awakening came, and oh the
terrible, terrible hours and days that pas
sed. Even the long years of life have
not had power to deaden those bittel
memories.
" She was killed" he continued, after
pause; ''none knew exactly how it hap
| pened. Her horse was probably fright
ened, and she trying to check him, hi
became unmanagable, reared, and, los
ing his balance, fell, and she under him
1 Help came soon, and she was brought
home. She was terribly crushed, but
the deadly injuries were internal; sh'
lived twenty minutes; and, though il
| great suffering, appeared conscious al
the time, for she babe them Goodbye,
and died murmuring my name.
They sent word to me Immediately
but it did not reach me. If / could hav,
seen her once before she died Oh m,
darling my darling
The old mans voice faltered, and m,
eyes were dimmed with tears.
"With her." he proceeded, 'died you'll
hope and ambition. My business be
came irksome; lost all interest in il
Ny home was uncomfortable, from its as
sociations. / became melancholy an,
apathetic. | turned from the dear one
who sought, with tender, sympathizinl
love and care, to tighten my hopeless
and now see selfish grief. All their ei
forts were vain. My mind was diseases
my nerves shattered. A voyage an
change of scene was advised, and, gla
to leave place so fraught to me not
with pain and sorrow, gave my plac
in business to your father, and set sal
with specula,ing company, for Sout
America.
"From that time my life was rovin
one | came home at long intervals t
find one or more of the family gone, an
the old home sadly changed. At las
there were but your father and myse
left; and when weary with wandering
no longer young, and yearning for
home and dear ones to love, | returne
to my native land to find my brothe
dead and his wife and children destitut,
Success had attended me-or, what th
world calls success, abundant wealth
and it has been my pleasure and graf
fication to care for you and, now ths
you require me no longer, feel that m
, work here is done and l must go soon
for | am an old, old man.
All, my boy" he continued, smiling
: "don't feel sad. l know you all loy
me, and you have given me much happ
ness-happiness | never expected moi
but am ready to go now, and she
waiting for me.
"She died in her youth and bloom
he said sadly, after pausing; "and l a
old, and worn, and world-weary don
: look much as used to, John, in h,
, days, but my heart is young, and 10,