Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-31
MY NEPHEW FRED.
And His Two Funerals.

: Yes, aunt, you must excuse me.
tBut, Fred''-
"There are no butts about it, my
dear aunt I cannot and will not be
taken down to the drawing room to-
night"
F:Then shall certainly be compelled
to excuse you," Ireplied, striving hard
to keep the tears which some way
would fillmy eyes every time I attempt
ed to reason with the fellow lying so
helpless before me.
Months before the opening of this
story, Fred. Travers, in attempting to
ascend a scaffolding raised upon a
building of which he was the architect,
was precipitated to the pavement, strik-
ing upon his feet. The effect was
partial paralysis of the lower limbs
Everything that medical skill could
suggest was promptly attended to, but
with very little success; and the poor
fellow had shout decided that he must
remain helpless cripple the rest of his
life / shall never forget the day he
resigned himself to his fate Every
member of the family was requested to
keep out of his room until he signifed
his desire to be visited.
About o'clock in the evening was
summoned to Fred's department.
"Well, y said taking his outstretch-
ed. hands "what is t?n
"Oh, nothing, aunt; only I have had
funeral and the strangest part
of it all is, I was chief mourner. I
have buried all my youthful hopes and
aspirations; and henceforth there will
be no more sniveling ever tn he inevita-
BILE. I"
Since my aephew's accident I had
not held my usual Wednesday evening
receptions; but he was now so far re-
covered that thought it best to begin
again. All my attempts to have him
make one of the party were useless.
He saw that l was grieved, and SAID,
while bitter smile played round his
handsome mouth: cit would be a
pretty sight now, wouldn't it, to see
me, great, strapping fellow, six feet in
my stockings, carried by a footman
down into the parlor ~
FfBut, Fred, Ben can take you down
before any one comes. And all my
friends know that I never entertain
company after eleven; SO you will not
become tired of sitting"
''My dear, precious little aunt, dent
you see that I am not vet able to con-
duer the modification this helplessness
entails upon me2 shall lie on the So
ia in the library, and you can leave the
doors open, so that the strains of mu-
sic will float up to me; and I shall en-
10y myself quite as much as if one of
the crowd. I"
Idon't know shy / was unable to keep
nv thoughts with the company assem-
bled but they would stray off up stairs,
and several times I caught myself
whispering, Poor Fred, poor Fred! :
More than one inquiry was made for
him, for he was favorite with us all
but to no one did Isay, Go up stairs.
I knew he did not wish it.
The belle of the evening was Miss
Griffin, an intimate friend OF one OF
my boarding school cousins, but a
stranger to me. She sang exquisitely,
PLAYED with a skill truly professional,
conversed intelligently and inteligibly
and these latter accomplishments
were SO rare among young ladies gener-
ally, that found myself quite attach
ed to her Some one volunteered to
play a waltz, and as the young folks
fiew around the room to the fascinating
strains of Strauss I ran up stairs to see
how Fred was enjoying himself. The
gas was turned quite 1ow, but the
CRATE sent out a cheerful light which
illuminated the center of the room,
leaving the sides and corners III deep
shadow.
What sight met my eyes
Miss Griffin, suppos1ng herself the
sole occupant of the room, had taken
seat upon the carpet in front OF the
fire, and there, her quaint little head
bent on one side, canary fashion, she
sat muttering to herself J. stopped
and listened I couldn't help it to save
mp life.
teWhy, isn't this jolly This seems
homelike. / don't believe L like
parties. Oh I forgot my boot hurts
me. That's my excuse for running
way from that horrid waltz. [ won
der what dreadful creature first con
ceived the idea of waltzing? If / had
NV way he should hop through all ages,
and on one foot, tool Heigh-ho! A
nice fre-how cheerfulN Our library
used to be something like this before
papa died Oh, dear! There isn't q
bit or happiness III bLl1o "o1let lilly
one has somebody to love one !" And
then l knew the little creature was
sobbing. :,
Now, that was too bad What could
lido? Nothing evidently. What would
Fred do2 Keep quiet and allow her &c
depart in total ignorance of his presence
But that this little episode would leave
a deep and lasting impression. L, who
knew Fred so thoroughly, perfectly
understood.
Chow much pleasanter to spend al
evening here than with all those stupid
folks down stairs !" and the little one
arose from her seat, and began to sur
vev the apartment | knew it was al
up then. In second more, smotherec
shrek, a quick II beg pardon, sir;
thought / was alone - was waited tt
my ears.
q Please do not feel distressed abou
It. | should have spoken when yor
first entered, but [ foohshly imagined
YOU would be able to leave without OBJ
serving me. IF it does not make yor
feel annoyed, / shall be very glad it hap
pened. as it afforded me glimpse o
something natural and spontaneous.
Iknew It was wrong to stop ther'