The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-02-26
"Who is Mr. Williams ?" I said, ca

gerry CdlCuluS dt u udue.
"Ellen's husband. Our milkman he
was, before he went off to Australia.
He's jolly always filed my cup for
nothing, when | was up"
"And who was Ellen z"
'.My nurse"
"What's your fathers name ?'
"Papa !"
'sBut his other name z"
"Harry, dear mamma always called
him So"
"Where does he live 2"
Hes dead" said the child in whis-
per. etMamma cries all the time, most,
and wears an ugly black gown every
day"
''Well, where does mamma live ?"
cat grandma's with Aunt Daisy, and
Walter, and Sue, and baby-ain't it
funny? baby my uncle, and he's so little
he has to be carried about and Walters
lttler than nre, and he's my uncle, too !;
and Sues only six, and she's my aunt"
"Where does grandma live 2"
| "Why, home, in her own house"
"We1l, what is her name p
"GrandmaD' in a very positive tone.
and becoming restive under SO much
questioning.
Days passed away, and still little Trot
for he would own no other name-was
an inmate of my cottage, the very darl-
! ing of Mrs Watson's motherly heart. I
advertised him in all the large cities,
hoping some paper would reach his coun-
/ try home; vet, as the days wore away,
and he became reconciled to his new
home, and ceased to grieve for his family,
l began to dread the hour when he should
/ be claimed. His frank, bright joyous
ness, his merry prattle, his loving caress-
es, began to fill an unsuspected void in
my heart, and Mrs. Watson was per-
feet slave to his loving tyranny. She
made him pretty garments to replace the
rich velvet suit, which we put carefully
aside, in case it was ever required to
prove his identity. She furnished Tor
his bedroom small apartment leading
from her own sleeping room. She made
the day one long act of service for his
comfort, and as weeks gIided into months,
and there was no clue found to guide Us
to his home, she taught him to call her
grandma, while Uncle Charley became
my newly acquired title To tell how he
was petted in the village would be vain
task to attempt To say that he was the
hero. and idol of Hopedale, will give but
faint idea of his popularity. Gradu-
ally the memory of his home, Ellen, the
visit to Australia, died away, and le
seemed to forget that he had ever lived
away from US. Mamma and Aunt Daisy
had been the two of whom he spoke
most but | judged, from all he said
that his fathers death was very recent
and his residence at his grandparent'
brief visit only in his memory.
Eleven months had this dear little
treasure been ain inmate of my house
when there came into my life new dream
of hope ana happiness. About five miles
from Hopedale there resided, and had
lived for many long years, an eccentric
old bachelor, by name Herman Graham.
His home, Leehaven, was far away from
any cluster Of houses, indeed, nearly a
mile from any other residence; and here,
in solitary state, with only two ancient
seryitors Tor his household, he had lived
ever since | could remember. He was a
morose, ill-tempered man, and some
early cross had made him adopt a per-
fectly hermit like seclusion, though his
wealth would have commanded every ad-
vantage society could offer. ItWas early
in November that was summoned to
attend this odd genius, professionally
The little note brought to my Office, by
an elderly man on horseback, was signed
LILLIAN Graham" and urged immediate
attention.
1t was long, cold drive, but the man
represented his master as very i'll, SO
prepared to obey his summons. II had
no idea your master had a daughter"
said I, referring to my note.
"That's masters niece" was the reply,
ga nice, sweet spoken lady as ever see.
She comes down on visit from her faith
ers place near Albany They were
burnt out her fathers folks, last winter,
and the family all went to Europe while
the new house was building. They came
home about month ago, but they won't
go to the new house till spring SO scme
of them's boarding in New York and
some in Albany, and Miss Lillian she's
come to spend the winter with her uncle
They're all coming down for Christmas
/ expect"
found my patient very i'll, and for a
week my visits were frequent, and more
than once passed whole night by his
bedside. do not mean this for a love
tale, SO I win not weary my reader with
the why and wherefore of my heart il
bending allegiance to Lillian Graham
charms. Her beauty, gentleness, and
winning grace touched my heart as nc
woman had ever before thrilled it, and
before the weary week of anxiety and
watching was over loved her. AS hel
uncle began to recover, my visit slid from
a professional capacity to a social one
and saw that my welcome was sincere
one from both the old gentleman and thu
young girl, whose devotion to her sicl
bed proved her love. / was agreeabl,
surprised to find the hermit neither st
savage or inaccessible as he had beer
represented to me. He had a painful
chronic disorder; his manner was brusque
and his voice often harsh but be could
soften, and [ was able to give him relie
from pain, for which he repaid me by &
gracious reception.