The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-07-11
AUNT HAMPTON'S LAST WILL.
BY BAl;liARY BACON.

Such u Light! the wind one mo-
ment shrill and wlistling, tn" n,&ta
restless, hopeless, pitcous, almost
human cry; the rain beat IuIlonsly
against the window; flash after flash
OF lightning, followed by crashing,
rattling peals Of thunder; such was
the night without, and within Aunt
Hampton laying dying.
/ drew my chair involuntarily
closer to the bedside, AS though |
might find protection in its uncon-
scious occupant. How last The t"art
came from my tortured heart IT'S
gazed on the kind old face, and know
it must soon DO lost to me iorov +;
and oh, bittorest cup of all! this soul,
that had shown nothing but kind.
ness and tenderness, that had cared
or me in childhood, conns, led and
guided me rs | grew into wom'n-
hood, saved my eyes 50 mnry times
from tears, my feet from slippery
places, this, my best earthly bcnolac-
tor, was going dom into tho valley
of the shadow Of death, and | could
believe mys II little better thon ho'
murderer.
For Hampton Hall was not my
birthplace. Ten years before Aunt
Ham ton had come down to make
us her annual visit. | found cut IN
years after that these visits were
made rather with an eye to business
than pleasure; for, like many another,
this woman, possessed OF an lndo'
pendent fortune and excellent bust
ness faculties, had little pat cnco or
sympathy for people blessed with nel'
ther; and although she was charitable
to the poor, she always wondered
how people could be III that condl'
tion.
Aunt Hampton believed us "'
poor as Job. Perhaps we were; no
lording TO her idea Of riches there
was no doubt of ii; but until TIT
morning that | waited with tear
stained cheeks for tho old coach t.
take me out of it, | had not fouu'
poverty disagreeoblo thing Ili
low, dingy kitchen, with ITS homGl
,,,rround .ng., had never lacked tn
) muse Of cLildron's laughter or til
,, rutt,r o! darling little leet.
Wnnl more is ichos?
As | was saying, Aunt Hampton
visits wee more TO lhVoS'lE"'o ~"
= turs than for pleasure. My fath'
c was her rophow, and nearest KIM
man. She was my grand-aunt. !
i tLcse visits her sharp eyes watche
II every movement OF every member
Is the family. Tho fact that | wande
rJ off every morning, my only cor
- u,ninu \ book. did not escape Ii
- notice, and when | reentcred Il
," for,n hnnae at hioh noon, shamo-tact
u and conscience s rickeu, she w
sharn I enonoh to see that in my hca
y y | was perfectly radiant to find t.
q LrrJaarv finished and the kitch'
III ,astnreJ 10 cleanliness and order.
AuI tLnt is how [ blcmo al i
re ,,,tn If Uumutou Hall.
OF 7 wp3 u home child in every sen
III Of the word; shy and sensitive, WI
l. " ot,onn w ,troctions and leaving hor
s',I snT iovaJ onos seemed sorr,
n " ,roator liam NV young heart cou
y 6oor
ed Distinctly | remembered eve
st vol, J' "nI worJ Of the Group that
loxcd MS to the wicket to bi1
,s rood-byo. [ hid my own tears
nv canso SO many eyes were full
Of Of ''' Sof,ly mother whispered: "It
nj .o Lnrj INV child TO let on 60"
" ~ Rnt Anpt IIampton's quick
-, caurht every word.
~, nv ''" aNnpscns,." sho exclaimed, as
~ ~ hurried me into the coach. "Yo
,nl ~ mako the child homcsick before
r. Il nat started"
' I leaned forward, us the CARR
j. rolled on, to catch one more Civ,
lhe "Desr, dear mothorl' | sob
ah' aloud, an como back with &,
III. lt ness, ero ,tncss and riches, and h
'n' blessing to you"
I cnrlJ not hear the reyDy, iol
81 SIN wcre beyond tho reach of tho vo
w. w. lut | knew it was something h
; 'ne; and loving. How much l 10
ceo them
ga true daughter OF Warren Lila
rch .,iJ n practical voice nt my $
NJ , "slwsys castle building without
lot- 10, lenst foundation"
laJ- ,,. lilo NV father,
iuct rcplled with some spiri. 81
acc ace not rich, l know, but riches are
INC pyc,ything. Besides, how c"n
.. o,t r;rh teaching school Tor |