Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1872-07-25
Jasper Hampton was q, brainless

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Jasper Hampton was q bralnless
scoundrel; he would have married
his grandaunt for the sake of her
fortune. and she was fifty years old
when he was ,bornt I detested him,
and as for the fortune, it was no sac
rifce for me to give it up for my own
sake; but reader, forgive me, that
was. the foundation of my castle IN
the air. u ~ a~25sT5
Aunt Hampton. declared she would
send for her attorney that very. night
and make new will in favor of her
nephew Jasper. .
DR.. Manchester mentioned that he
was going in that direction and would
send them over, and Think he never
carried message more willingly.
And when another morning dawn
ed, I could sing with the old dame Of
the ballad:
Yesterday I was the Lady of Linn;
And now I'm but Jno O. the Stales' Wife,"
But sweet voice came over the
hills, saving: "Better so, my child,
thousand times better so than to
bring your household gods under an
unworthy roof tree.
Three months later I had applied
for and obtained a situation in the
Academy where I had been a scholar.
My support should not come from
Jasper Hampton's great expecta-
tions."
Meantime fair dwelling in the vi
cinity of Hampton Hall began and
was nearly completed. In the mel
low light of the summer sunsets I
often walked over, at the earnest So
licitation of DR.. Manchester, that ii
might De finished to suit me, for that
was to be my future home.
One morning I had been walking
with Aunt Hampton-there existed
the deadliest feelings between US
when, on reaching the house, she sank
into the nearest chair. .exclaiming:
{, * Estene, I have strange feelings
latays Strange tbonghts, too. I have
made money. my gods but it is always
ttarning to dead leaves in my hands,
always cheating me. Come here,
dear; :. 4
I knelt beside her.
Estelle, do you love your old
aunt as well as you did six months
ago. :. -.
( Better, dear aunt, because there
is,a perfect understanding between
US now. I used to hope you would
see that I could never love Jasper.
Compare him with Edward Manches-
ter, and see the contrast.
81 don't likeshim myself, Estelle. :"
Then, as though talking to herself,
she added: why should I crown
my life with deed so ungenerous ?
Twill not; I'll make third will,
and E,telle and my nephew. shall
fare, alike.
There was stirring of the drapery
of the low French window; aahadow
crept along the wall. I turned again
to speak to Aunt Hampton, but mer-
ciful heaven I! her head had dropped
upon her breast, her limbs were rigid
and her eyes set the woman to all
appearancetwas dead. As soon as
could move hand Or foot 1 rang for
nelp. We placed the still form upon
the bed. and sent with all haste fog
her physician, He came andy pro.
nounced the case apoplexy, caused
by over excitement.
DR.. Manchester passed every spare
moment with us, trying in turn to
relieve the stricken in body and the
troubled in mind, for I believed my.
self to. be the rause' Of the over ex-
element, and even his gentle reason.
ing could not convince lie TO the con
trary.
Thus three days and nights passed
away, and still no change. Another
physician had been called, but to nc
purpose.
I watched and prayed in fear an(
! ftsembi;ilp through the feAsh'iul stofh
watched for tlse hand to moves ,ath'
eye to unclose prayed for one word
one lOQls one sign sven' bnt still nc
change.
The storm ragged on till midnight
then the wind died away, the thunder
ceased, tle clouds separated. yc4s tht
lnoon'shdne forth, ana my heartgleS
lighter. l thought of letter ! had
left. unfinished. I would bring il
thither and finish it. l stepped across
the hall into my own room. How
thoroughly tired I Was. tas do@r
just for a moment in my easy char
Nature would have her way; she
closed my eyes AID forgot care anc
sorrow.
ATerciful Heaven What cry
.nrang 10 nv feet in terror and hor