The Van Buren press., 1870-03-29
VAN BUREN, ARK, MARCH 20, 1870.
,cen robbed perhaps, of all my available

been robbed perhaps, of all my available
property.
The thought threw me into an agony
of fear. ordered my clothes to be
broaght to me. The keys were there.
Taking one OF them out, told Mrs Hale,
my house keeper. to go to my safe, and
bring me the papers that were there.
She returned her face white with terror,
to say there was nothing there, all the
little doors we're open.
"Robbsd robbed y yelled with im-
precautions, and again my senses deserted
me.
Brain fever onsucd. For weeks l lay,
deprived of reason, literally treading the
verge OF the grave. One morning l was
conscious only Of sinking, deadly feel
ing, as fecbly opened by eyes. Was it
an angel l saw standing beside me, her
soft eyes full OF pity, looking down upon
me with the most commisersting gentle
ness. For a moment thought | might
be in heaven; but no--I reasoned with
myself--I loved money too well. My
treasure was all Of the earth, earthly.
Again l opened my dim eyes. The WIS.,
ion seemed wavering now, but oh, did it
not wear the beauty Of sweet Lucy Man.
ningp A quiet, unutterable peace took
possession Of my entire being. forgot
wealth, health, everything. My past life
seemed blotted out, and was again in.
nocent, untouched by the griping hand
of avarce--true, loving, and loved and
Lucy Manning was my idol.
But recovered slowly and at last, As
my strength surely returned I missed
her As soon as she saw could be left
with safety, she had left me and oh, the
blank--the dreadful FLANK ] wandered
around my rooms, now 30 desolate, and
saw the many evidences Of my miserly
habits.
know not why, but towards my wife
my feelings seemed to have undergone a
revulsion. fear hated her. She had
nearly beggared me--had deceived and
shattered my health, destroyed all my
hopes.
Months passed before was able to
estimate the damage that had been done
me. Every means tina could be put forth
were used for the discovery OF my mon
ey, but all in vain.
One night sat by the fire, cheerless,
disappointed, and lonely man. had
been thinking thoughts that emily burned
my brain, but did not purify my heart,
If l had only married sweet Lucy" /
said again and again, all this had not
been So"
My housekeeper came in with a lotter
An unusually large package it was--and
as it bore foreign postmark, l opened
it with trembling hand. What WAS that ?
A rustling, g,crumpled bank note Another
and another came forth, until there laid
upon my knees twenty bills of the larg-
est denomination. a fsw trembling lines
accompanied them
"MY HUSBAND: am dying My dis
ease there is no need Of telling you.
Forgive me, and accept this enclosed as
fain@ effort toward restitution. II is
not much over half Of what we took from
the safe The rest isl knew not where.
| am descrted-Farewell, forever
An icy chill thrilled me- 1t seemed as
if her spectral presence was near me.
shuddered, as | rolled the bills together,
and threw them across the room
Lie there, curse efmy soul !" | cried.
Lie there till | have conquered myself
ay, if the victory is not won till you are
rotten! ~
| shut the door up and sealed it. and
for six months tolled like penniless
man, rill Ipartially redeemed myself. BY
managing cautiously, placed my bust
ness on successful footing, and began
life again, new man.
1t took many year to wear of my
old habits Of parsimony, but every effort
gave me new and agreeable pleasure.
Meantime, Lucy Manning became dearer
to me than she had ever been in the flush
of youth. entreated her forgiveness,
humbled myself to a confession, tested
myself In all ways, and convinced her at
last that was as worthy now as once l
was only in seeming.
On the day of my wedding, ! opened
the sealed door. The bank notes lay
where had flung them. took them up
with the pride Of q conqueror. and plac
ing them IN her hands, exclaimed,
"They are no longer my masters use
them as you will"
Now / am a man'--reicemed from the
thraldom Of covetousnoss. | have three
blooming children. Lucy is an angel Of
goodness. and write myself as / did at
the beginning: by the grace Of God, l
am what lam"