Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1872-07-25
AUNT HAIIPTON'S LAST WILL.

Sun rise Will come next:
The shadow Of the night has passed away.
Such night /! the wind one mo-
ment shrill and whistling, the next a
restless, hopeless, piteous, almost hu-
man cry; the rain beat furiously
against the window; fash after fash
of lightning, followed by crashing.
rafting peals Of thunder; such was
the night without, and within Aunt
Hampton lay dying.
I drew my chair involuntarily
closer to the bedside, as though !
might find protection in its uncou-
scious occupant. How fast the tears
came from my tortured heart as |
gazed on the kind old face, and knew
it must soon be lost to me forever !;
and oh, bitterest cup Of all this soul.
that had shown nothing but kindness
and tenderness, that had cared tor
me in childhood, counseled and guided
me as grew into woma lhosd, saved
my eyes so many times from tears,
my feet from slippery places, this:
my best earthly benefactor, was going
down into the valley of the shadow
of death, and 1 could believe myseli
little better than her murderer.
For Hampton Hall was not .ay
birthplace. Ten years Before Aunt
Hampton had come down to make US
her annual visit. l found ont III
years after that these visits We're
made rather with an eye TO business
than pleasure: ior, Ike many another,
this woman, possessed Of an indepen-
dent fortune and excellent business
faculties, had little patience or SYM
pathy for people blessed with neither;
and although she vas charitable 10
the poor, she always wondered how
people could be in that condition.
Aunt Hampton believed us as poor
as Job. Perhaps We were, according
to her idea OF riches there was no
doubt of it; but until the morning
that l waited with teal-stained cheeks
fog the old coach TO take me out o.
it, 7 had not found poverty a disa-
grceablc thing. The:low, dingy kitch
en-, with its homely surroundings
had never lacked tie music Of chill
dren's laughter or tn patter OF dar-
ling little feet.
What more is riches?
As I was saying, Aunt Hampton's
visits were more to Investigate mat
ters than for pleasure My father
was her nephew, and nearest kins-
man. She was my grand-aunt. In
these visits her sharp eyes watched
every movement Of every member 81
theiamiiy. The fact that l wandered
Of every morning, my only compan
ion book, did not escape her notice.
arl when I re-entercd the farmhouse
ut high noon, shame faced and con-
science tricken, she was sharp enough
10 see tlat in my heart J. was perfect
y radiant to find the drudgery fin
ishsd and the kitchen restored. to
cleanliness and order.
And that is how I became an In
mate Of Hampton Hall.
was home child in every sense
of the word; shy and sensitive, with
strong affections, and leaving home
and loved ones seemed q sorrow
greater than my young heart could
bear.
Distinctly / remembered every look
and word of the group that followed
us to the wicket to bid us goodbye.
I hid my own tears because so many
eyes were full.
Softly mother whispered: :" 1t is SO
hard my child to let you go.
But Aunt Hampton's quick ear
caught every word.
Nonsense" she exclaimed, as she
hurried me. into the coach. " You'll
make the child h6mesick before we
get started" - y
Iissner forward as: the carriage
rolled on, to catch one more glance. |