Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-05-18

John, of late. And inclination woul
have drawn me oftener there.
sauntered up the shady walk, an
entered the cool, inviting hall. Th
door Of Uncle Johns study stood ajal
but the smiling face of the good man di
not meet me there. Mrs Sharp was a
her post in the kitchen, elbow deep i
work, and Bessie was swinging on tn
shady back porch.
Master Morris had walked down +
the village, the busy housekeeper said
without pausing in her labors. Yes
yes" said refectiviy, another mis-
love-offering" For nothing delighte,
him more than the occasioning of sucl
pleasant surprises, by the gift of som'
rare or curious article.
| went out on the rear porch, kissec
the sweet lassie, gave her dozen loft,
swings, then strayed out to the stree
again, and down to Charlton Head,
towering cliff, Look off Point b,
some called.
A few minutes after my departure
Bessie, wearying of the swing with NJ
None to boost her, ran out to the littlt
stable, at the rear of the garden, to lool
at family of little puppies that were
nested in the manger NAB, the quiet
docile pony NAB, was standing sleepily
in the narrow stall.
Bessie spoke kindly to her, and passed
by TO where the little mites of doggiel
cuddled in the straw. Returning in /,
few minutes, some unknown cause
cruel fate-made lazy, lifeless Nab, VIII,
never did the like before, kick viciously
at her little mistress.
OIL that unhappy day How can
pen this sad, heartrending truth? The
busy housewife heard an unusual sounC
without The old mother dog was bark
ing furiously in the stable. She has
tened to the spot, and first saw pony
Nab standing with dropping head and
heavy eyes, asleep.
But, OH for cruel fate sight sc
shocking met her searching glance, that
all her strength deserted her, and chilled
with horror, heart and pulse stood still
She clutched the door to save herself
from falling and staggered back toward
the house.
A little child at play beyond the fence
was called, and help was summoned.
Returning from the Head, few minutes
later, / saw an unusual stir about the
place, and hastened to inquire the cause.
OH how changed the scene in that short
half hour! shuddered with dread as |
crossed the threshold, feeling that death
had entered there before me.
In the pleasant little room opening out
of Uncle Johns bed chamber, on her
own low couch, lay the still form of little
Bessie, silent in death. Not whittier than
her fair face was the snowy counterpane
on which she lay. A kind hand had
washed the crimson stain away from
brow and cheek, and covered up the
ghostly wound that marred the smooth
temple. Like one in sweet repose she
lay, knowing no pain, no sorrow, uncon-
scious of the wounds that death had
made in living hearts. lIu"IHf
Uncle John had not yet returned A
score of tender, plying hearts were
wrung with sorrowing sympathy for the
poor old man. All but very few kind
friends were sent away, to remove all
sign of hustle and excitement The lit
-
tie eottaSe was siiei,t sgaih ana oh' no"
solemn tnat hush OF ueathi
AT length, and all too soon, the familiar
broad-brim of Uncle John appeared in
view around the near street corner; with
form erect ana vigorous sIep' ne ap-
proached ms so iateiy happy nome. ms
eyes we're bent upon the pavement, as if
IN medltatlon' ana Drlgnt smiles wreaineu
l, ms ruauy iaee' renecu1g !ne pressing
thoughts. Ihat occupied ms nina. a
small bundle was III MS haha' containing
book or TOY or novelty Tor ms CARING
no aouD, ana ne was aireaus anuei-
patlhg the iooAs ana Wores OF uel'gnt
with Which IL woulo De received from MS
hand
Inc poor man entered the gate and
with MS heateo brow pared 70 tne sootn-
ing caTess oil cool shade ana iresher ar;
walked Slowly up tne gravel pain, ana
crossed the threshold with no suspicion
Of the crushing truth. /
Two pale-iaeed' Sorro"ihg women met
HIM In the nail ne stopped ana looked
upon them m mute 6ewilderment ana
ear. One iaid gehtie hand upon nus
shoulder ana tired TO speak, but could |
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