The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-07-03

supply the wants of his family. His wife
was not strong, but she sustained herself
wonderfully, and helped TO exc out their
slender means by her needle, that common
resource of her sex.
.A Amidst all their wretchedpess, it was a
great consolation to Mrs. Herbert that her
husband never resorted to the stimulant of
strong drink to drown his sorrows. To-
gether they bore their fallen fortunes, and
IN their mutual affection found some con-
ISOLATION for the evils thcN both felt that
ordinary prudence might have averted.-
Yet neither reproached the other with this,
for tender and sincere affection formed a
true bond of union between them, and the
sad consolation of suffering together was
at least theirs. .. s., - ...rJ
From the day the mjser uttered his
anathenla against his eldest son he had
not permitted his younger children to hold
any communion with him, and they dared
not offer William assistance from the slen-
der means allowed them, lest they, too,
should be cast off by their stern pareptt
Two moro children were added to- the
suffering family during these terrible years
heirs of want and suffering; and bitter
were the tears of selfreproach shed over
their hclplessness by the destitute parents,
when they thought of what might have
been, in contrast with the miserable re-
alty before them. .,..."- IF -.
Herbert made more than one effort to
soften his father. He yainly appealed to
that affection which had once existed, but
alas! it was now turned to the most cruel en-
nifty. His appeals were rejected with such
bitter, singing contempt-such over
whelming abuse, that he soon. ceased to
make them, and resigned himself to the
lot he had incurred by his own reckless
ness. he
At length the miser sickened day by
day he grew worse he became aware of
his own danger, and summoned lawyer
to make his will. Every legal technicality
was brought in play to exclude hiS eldest
son or his children from ever succeeding to
the smallest fraction of his estate. The
property was bequeathed to his younger
children and their heirs, on the sole condi-
tion that they would never share the small
est portion of it with their discarded
brother. T..
Herbert heard of the old mans dying
condition. 4 kind friend informed him
of the provisions of the will, and urged
him to make a last effort TO soften his
heart in his favor, that, while life remained,
he might cancel the deed, and permit him
to share alike with his brother and sister.
The heart, Of the son yearned to behold
once more the father who had loved him
in his boyish days, and he went slowly to-
ward the shabby old house in which his
family dwelt. Twelve years had rolled
away since he last stood beneath its roof
/ and now, with faltering steps, he drew
near, aud struck a faint and uncertain
/ knock upon the door. He was forced to
repeat it before any one came, and when
it was at last opened by old ,Phillis, she
uttered a shrek of surprise, and came very
near shutting it upon him again.
''You here, Marse Williamb Here at dis
berry door dat's bin shet upon you so long
Oh Lor', oh Lor'l an | dare not let you inl
He would kill me eff he knOwed l even
spoke to your 'in,..
! ''But he cannot hurt you now, Phillis, y
urged the poor son. ''He is dying, and I
must see him o.. -.,.
! "Ohl chile, chile, you dunno how strong
de ebesary is wi de ole man. Eff he was
at his las gasp, an foun' out dat spoke
; wild you he'd come back to life to strike
| at me. oh, you'd best get away, Marse
william, for you dunno how orful wicked
he is-how he goes on when he even thinks
bout you"
| .fsAnd does he hate me so, even on his
bed of death ?'' asked the pale man. ''Oh!
Phnlis, must see him mus: ask pardon
for myself and help for my poor little chill
dreu. -, Without them my life will become
a miserable wreck"
; ssSee hfnai blessed NIarsterl what is de
boy talking about? Is ii to see sich a
ram PIN mad cTeeter as he gifts to be eff
3 enybody even calls, your name !? De law
! yer what wrote his will aXed bout you, an
put him in Sich a fit | thought he was dy7
! in sure Oh Lor' and when he coined to
didn't he say dreffel things, an ak the
blessed Marster up yonder to let 'em come
! to pass agin you? Don't go-don't go to
: him, Marse William - - ". -.-
Her earnestness had some weight with
Herbert, and, for few moments, he hesi-
tated but the stern necessity Of the case
seemed to offer him no alternative. He
remembered the entreatieS of his friend
to make this effort, and he nerved himself
to resist the pleadings of his nurse. He
put her aside, as he said ..r
81 mast see him, Phillis, let the result
to myself be what it may"
| ''He entered and drew near his father s
room; when he reached the door he paused
amoment to prepare himself for the dread
/ ed interview; at length he ventured to un-
close it gently and look in. The dying
man lay apparently in light slumber, and
his daughter, pale and languid from long
| watching, sat beside the bed.
She raised her head at the slight rustic
he made on entering, and she could scarce
! Iy have seemed more appalled, had a spec
tire suddenly. risen before her. She re-
| pressed the cry that arose to her lips, and
motioned him back, as she pointed mean
ingly toward their father but William
needed her not.
| he TuSneu lHlpetuOuSly Lo"dIO INC OSNs
threw himself beside it, and thus kneeling
he grasped the hand that lay upon the GOV
erlet, already cold with the dews of ap-
preaching death. At that touch the spirit
of the departing one struggled back to life
he who seemed scarcely breathing but a
moment before was suddenly endued with
terrible vitality. He started up in the bed
his glazing eyes Glaring with evil passion
and his lips writhing with their efforts tC
utter the torrent Of anger that surged with
III him.
He wrenched his hand from his SOD, anC
regarded him with an expression that hal
paralyzed him. William could only STAN
mer- ..,..
Observation-Disclosures the curse,
fatherl Let it not cling to me through m
whole life" NV,
The lips of the dying man moved. bu
for many moments they had no power t
produce a sound. At length the iron Wi
mastered even the benumbiug influence @
the stern conqueror, and strange, un
, earthly voice, which sounded as that o
} some demon seeking utterance through III
: tongue, shrieked forth