South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-10-14


the parlor there was the same profusion Of
flowers, the curtains were looped back with
June roses, moss baskets, filed with trail
ing plants hung between-roscs Of every
hue, from purest white 10 deepest crimson,
filled the vases on the mantle piece, and on
tho open piano stood boquot composed Of
Scarlet, Norbenas, Carnations, aud deep
velvety, crimson roses, with the long droop
ing sprays Of the Fuchsia-a mass of scar.
let bloom. Perfect stiffness reigucd In the
house. Tom had gone with the wagon !;
Mary aud Kate In their freshest, daintiest
cambria dresses wandered -rcsslczslv thro'
the house, now in Willie's room. now in
their own, their glad rejoicing half checked
by the doubt whether Willie would be proud
or ashamed of his sisters, and wheihcr he
would think the money sent home 10 cdu-
cate the girls had been i'll spent
George, who had spent the morning
hunting eggs in the barn, aud gathering
strawberries in the garden, was now perch
ed on the gate at the lower end Of the
garden, where lac could see the wagon as
soon as itturned into the road Rose, who,
in the firm belief that she was a great heln,
had been in every ones way, was now fast
asleep; she could scarcely keep her eyes
open long enough to admire her ruflled
white dress, aud bronze boots. Tho moth
er had gone out-gone to the low bill back
of the house, from which five years ago, she
had looked with aching heart, and eyes filed
with birding tears, upon the slender form
OF her eldest born, as he trudged manfuly
forward, carrying the little trunk that held
his all of earthly possessions. Tears were
10 her eyes now, but they were tears of 10y
and eladness, and her heart was lifted IN
glad thanksgiving to him who had protec.
ted her boy through all dangers, aud was
now bringing him safely home to her yearn
ing arms
Meanwhile the father bad safely reached
the city As the cars neared the depot il
struck him there was an unusual crowd
round, bat os he stepped out on the platform
he thought It was only that his country eyes
were unused to-ci'y crowds He looked n.
round, expecting to sec his boys, but they
were not in sight; but as he looks, he be.
comes aware of some unusual interest per-
vading the crowd, and the words, -Four o.
clock train-young man just from Califur-
Ma fell omiuousy upon his ear. 4
vague fear filled his heart, and pressing on
with the crowd he entered the waiting room
4 long table stood in the middle of the floor.
oUd upon it lay three stiff, rigid figures,
their faces covered, and insliuc,iyely as il
were, he moved forward Frank was near
him now with frantic haste he was forcing
bis way through the crowd, AMI as the old
man laid his hand upon the veil which GOV.
cred thc face Of the nearest form, he cried
out in a tone of agouized cnlrcaty:
Stop, father, FIR the love Of God stop -
But he was too late ; his father had drawn
the veil aside. One long, steady look, and
then, with a bitter cry, wherein the words
my SON. might bc distinguished be fell
headlong to the floor. = he swoon was long
and deadly, and when he recovered con
seriousness, be expressed but one desire:
Home, Frank, he said, striving 20 rise
from the setice whore he had been placed,
'wc must get him home at once for your
mother and the girls will be waiting
Gently Frank forced him b,ck on lis
scat while he explained to him that this
could not yet be done There were certain
forms to be observed first With difficulty
the Oil man was made TO comprehend this
but when Frank would have persuaded BIN
to come away for time, he utterly refused
10 leave Willie Aud there the old man
sat through the long, bright hours Of that
summer s day. Other mourncrs, too, we're
there 4 wife cane, with wild dcspai-ing
cries, seeking her husband "a brother look
ed with bitter grief upon the fair young
face Of his only sister But tho old man,
glzine on the face Of his dead son, hears
nothing, sees nothing save that face.
At lastall over; the coroner jury have
taken The evidence, and will return the usu
al verdict: Nobody 20 bame = The rer7r-
tiers have made mp thoir paragraphs Tor tho
evening papers; aud now they are 40 liberty
to rcmovc their dead A quick sbudICr
thrilled tho frame of The father as tho b0ly
was placed upon tho lrcachcr0us care. but
they went on this time without accident
Very SION they arrived atthe.r own village.
where they found Tom s.i,' waiting with
tae wagon Vogue rm1r had reached fhc
village through the day and though be rs.
fused % believe ,bat my evil had happened.
yet DE dared not go home, lest Dbl. face
should reveal what be bad heard Bot
when he saw a m1tiouless body lifted ten
derby and carefully from the train, De knew
it was all too true
And whom the gray shades of evening
had fallen upon the clr'h, the crushed and
mangleI form was born Lomc-bame % The
Whiting mother anl sisters Let ls draw
tho curtain ou the sad, sad scene.
hU~Oo Friday evening Horace Greeley
delivered lecture 10 Wheeling, West Viz
einia, on the Woman Question The
Register saws. tH1r4o.fe rrafff.r 81. fr