The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-11-03

We will not record the details Of Mary's
sorrows during few ensuing months, but
bring the sympathetic reader at once to the
next great era in her trials, which, like a
"tenth wave," well nigh overwhelmed
her. She had made many efforts to trace
her lost gift but without success and, by
special exertion of will, had somewhat
reconciled herself to the grievous tisap.
pointment looking forward to the time of
her uncle's return with patient expecta-
tion of true sympathy, if not of entire re-
lief from her unhappy condition. u rh
One night, about the first of September,
Mr.. Curtis came home from his place of
business with an unusually sad and thought
full air, and seated himself by the fire with
out speaking. So strange a thing attracted
the attention of all the family, who were
present, ready to sit down to supper.
"What is the natter fatherP'' asked
Emily, putting her arm around his neck,
and looking affectionately into his face,
He made no reply, but taking newspaper
from his pocket, pointed out paragraph,
and handed it to his daughter. Emily
took it, and read aloud:
"By advices from Havana, we learn that
the ship Dolphin, Capt. Bruce, of this port,
when three days out from St. Salvador,
struck sunlSen reef and bilged. A heavy
sea running, she was driven high, and in
five hours parted amidships. Fortunately,
French brig at this moment hove in
;rIt 4, l. IL
all but four or five passengers, who were
lost when the vessel broke up. Among the
latter, we regret to learn, was Captain
Benjamin Curtis, formerly of this city, and
well known to our commercial readers as
an enterprising merchant of Rio Janeiro.
Capt. Curtis lost his life in noble efforts to
save fellow-passenger."
This sudden announcement was terri
BILE shock to the whole family, and filed
every heart with mourning. Even Mrs.
Curtis, witnessing the violent grief of her
daughters, indulged herself in paroxysm
of tears. f1 U-
But where is Mary, and who cares for
her? There she lies, with her head hang
ing over the end of the sofa and there
long after the rest have brushed away their
stormy tears, she, still Iies-her eyes dry
and her heart petrified. There is a drouth
below the deepest wells. aa fufef
The family at length seated themselves
at the tea-table but Mary's chair was
empty-she had gone supperless to bed,
not to sleep, but to think-to perform in
appropriate darkness the funeral obsequies
of a departed hope. o5iR eN' l
The wakeful night passed swiftly away,
and the dawn found her quietly employed
at the unfinished task of the previous day
What makes that look, though sad, SO
peaoetulP She had learned another kard
lesson of resignation, and submitted her
heart to the will Of Providence.
Was the remarkably cheerful face with
which Mrs. Curtis greeted the family, that
morning, to be explained in the same way?
She too had passed sleepess night, but
it was because her husband had informed
her that he was the only legal heir to all
his brothers. estate the captain having ex-
ecuted will to that effect many years be-
fore, and sent it home to his care and her
sleep had been driven away by her busy
castle buildings of future grandeur. She
was woman Of active mind and determin-
ed will and that nights musings had map
ped out variety Of purposes from which
no ordinary influences would be able to
swerve her.
Mr.. Curtis having satisfied himself that
there was no other will, 1t became neces-
sary for him to proceed at once to look
after his inheritance, In order to do this
it seemed desirable to change his residence
to more convenient part of the city.
Much to his qualification, and that Of his
wife's, he succeeded in negotiating the
purchase Of the fine dwelling he formerly
owned in C--street, which happened to-
be vacant, and for sale. Immediate prep
arations were made for removal, attended
with all the excitement hurry, and con
fusion incident to that periodic plague Of
domestic life. The strength and patience
of our heroine were of course tasked to the
utmost, during these days of extra labor
and her spirit received no cheering impulse
when after the family became settled she
found her sphere Of servitude more degra-
ded in proportion as the pride and pre-
tensions Of her aunt and cousins were in
creased. Seeing nothing before her but
life Of ignoble toll, her ambition was arous-
ed and she determined to assert her free
dom Her rasolution was de1iheratalv