The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-05-06
She AIba,tt gegisfer.
Fred,s Funerals.
FROM A LADY's scRAp-BooK,
"Yes, aunt, you must excuse me. "
aBut, Fred"

i
aBut, Fred"
ssThere are no butts about it, my dear :
aunt. / cannot and will not be taken 9
down to the drawing-room tonight"
ssThen shall certainly be compelled
to excuse you,' replied, striving hard
60 keep back the tears which some way
would fill my eyes every time attempts
ed to reason with the noble fellow lying
so helpless before me.
Months before the opening ofthis story
Fred Travers, in attempting to ascend a
scaffolding raised upon q building of
tated to the pavement, striking upon his
feet The effect was partial paralysis to
the lower limbs. Everything that med
tended to, but with very little success
and the poor fellow had about decided |
that he must remain helpless cripple I
the rest of his life 1 shall never forget |
the day he resigned himself to his fate.
Every member Of the family was reques-
ted to keep out of his room until he sig
niied his desire to be visited.
About eight o'clock in the evening
was summoned to Ered's apartment
"Well," said I, taking his outstretched
hand, tswhat is it 2"
aOh, nothing, aunt; only have had
funeral; and the strangest part of al
10, / was chief mourner. / have buried
ali my youthful hopes and aspirations
and henceforsh there will be no more
sniveling over the inevitable"
Since my nephew's accident, / had
not held my usual Wednesday evening
receptions; but he was now so far recov-
cred that thought it best to begin again.
AL my attempts to have him make one
OF the party were useless. He saw that
was grieved, and said, while bitter
smile played round his handsome mouth,
<sIt would be a pretty sight now, wouldn't
it, to see me, great strapping fellow, six
feet in my stockings, carried by foot
man down into the parlor 2"
sBut, Fred, Ben can take you down
before any one comes. And all of my
friends know that never entertain COM
pany after eleven so you viii not become
tired of sitting"
shy dear, precious little aunt, don't
you see th4t am not yet able to conquer
the modification this helplessness entails
upon me? shall lie on the sofa in the
library, and yun can leave the doors open
go that the strains of music viii float up
to me; aud / shall enjoy myself quite as
much as If Que of the crowd"
/ don't know why was unable to keep
my thoughts with the company assemb-
led but they wculd stray off up stairs,
aud several times caught myself whisp-
ering, '.Poor Fred. poor Fred p' More
than one inquiry was made for him, for
he was favorite Of US all but to no one
did I say, 'tGo up stairs" l knew he
did not wish it.
The belle of the evening was a Miss
Griffin, an intimate friend of oIe of my
boarding school cousins, but stranger
to me. She sang exquisitely, played
with skill truly professional, conversed
intelligen.ly and intelIgibiy; aud these
latter accomplishments were SO rare
among young ladies' generally, that /
found myself quite attracted to her.
Some one volunteered to play a waltz,
and as the young folks flew round to
the fascinating strains of Strauss, I ran
up stairs to see how Fred was enjoying
himself. The gas was turned quite low,
but the CRATE sent out cheerful light
$ which Illuminated the center of the room
leaving the sides and corners in deep
shadow.
What sight met my eyes!
Miss Griffin, supposing herself the sole
occupant of the room, had taken a sea
upon the carpet in front of the FIRE; and
there, her quaint little head bent on ont
side, canary fashion, she sat muttering t
herself. / stopped and listened
couldn't help it to save my life.
"Why, isn't this jolly! This seem
homeiiEe. I don't believe like partie.
Oh! forgot; my boot hurt me. That
my excuse for running away from tia
Il I - r
creature first conceived the idea
waltzing IF had my way he shoul
hop through all ages, and on one foe
tool Heigho! nice FIRE; how cheerful
Our library used to be something lik
this before papa died. Oh, dear Their
isn't bit Of happiness in the world ur
less one has somebody to love one .
and then knew the little creature wa
sobbing.
Now, that was too bad. What coul
do? Nothing evidently. What woul
Fred do? Keep very quiet, and allo
her to depart In total ignorance of b
presence But that this little -episod
would leave deep and lasting impre
sion, /, who knew Fred SO thorough,
perfectly understood
Show much pleasanter to spend u
evening here than with all those stupi
folks down stairs y and the little OF
arose from her low seat, and began
survey Of the apartment knew it W.
al up then, In second more, smothe
ed shrek, quick 81 beg pardon sir;
thought was alone !" was waited to n
ears.
sPlease do not feel distressed about
should have spoken when you fir
entered, but foolishly imagined ye
would be able to leave without observin
me. If it does not make you feel ammo,
Cd, shall be very glad it has happenss
as il has afforded lne glimpse of som
thing natural and spontaneous. 2
] knew it was wrong to stop the,