The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-12-22

In time nc got MS uiScnarbc auu MS
pension, and began to think anxiously and
seriously upon the necessity of seeking
some occupation, for which, in spite Of all
the changes that had occurred, he would
be fitted Bella, the younger,-a pale,
uuiet. little fellow had come as Il new
claimant on his fathers time and cares.
lie must not be idle; and yet what could
a poor one.armed soldier do, in the midst
of the strife and turmoil of business and
the hurry to be rich which ever marks
American life ?
He resolved 1t last to remove to the
Western town which became our place Of
residence, and to open there what | be.
Iieye ~ called Land. office If he need.
ed an appointment from the government,
he got it; but | knew little Of details at
the time, owing to my feeble health
My mother feared that would not be
the physicians prophecy that the journey,
the change, aud the responsibilities would
help me greatly was found to be true.
With the new home and the new life,
both my husband and myself felt new
strength. BY the time the one had cs-
tabishcd business aud arranged it 10 what
he called running order the other had
her house settled and household system
in operation, we were astonished to find
ourselves so well, so happy, so hopeful,
and so charmed with all the surroundings
OF our new life.
think we had been about year in
the West when the occurrence which |
am about to relate and for the relation OF
which this little sketch has been written,
took place.
1t was a dark winter night the streets
were no; alone sloppy, but the slow.'aIl-
ing wintsr rain had filled them deep with
mud, thick and tenacious as mortar.
They were almost deserted, aud nobody
surely could be expected to venture out
in them from any prompting save neces'
sty
This represented to Bella as he rose
iiom the tea.tabe and prepared to return
10 the office for the evening
'Therel not be soul at the office the
whole evening" said. We have had
lew enough home evenings together since
we were married, and | think you might
remain with me now :,
Bella demurred he granted the unpro
ptiousnoss Of the evening, but averred
that, in his scheme OF minor moralities
, business always had precedence Of pleas
ures and so laughing and bidding us
, goodbye, he went on his way.
1t seemed very long evening was
alone. for servants are a scarce commodi.
ty in the West, aud kept none. Little
Bella ispcd his good night early, and no
, neghbor braved the inclement weather to
! come to me Pleasant book nor sewing
, suiiiced for me; The dieamy hours
, heightened themselves aud seemed made
of countless minutes. was restless
, and anxious and could give no cause iol
either. Never had the evenings, SO many
+ Of which | had spent in cheerful quietud.
under precisely similar circumstances
seemed so long and lonely.
At last the clock struck nine, aud
/ listened for the expected football ; ye
moment after moment passed away, and
/ met friend said then. they have
n gone to sup at the hotel, or the new res
! taurant' enforced patience for another
hour.
The time wore slowly away, as sat o
paced the room in an increasing uneasi
. ness and alarm Twelve O'Clock toIleC
a forth form the ebony time piece On thu
, mantcl could delay no longer, but
was torn be conflicting duties. How
o could leave unprotected the house where
my innocent little one slept? How re
irain from gaining some knowledge Of tn
4 Whereabouts Of the dear helpless HUSBAND
:, who had never left me alone when it wa
: possible to he with me? Every iheor.
accounting for his absence was flung tt
the winds | no longer strove to thinl
= he was in safety.
carefully secured the fire, turned Low
p, the lamp, and wrapping my shawl abou
:, me stepped into the dark wet street. A
! turned the key in the lock, and sent u
Il an unuttered prayer for little unconsciou
+ innocent was abandoning, fierce swell
= of wind swept round the corner and plerc
=, ed my wraps with an icy chill. waite
e no longer. but with feet footsteps | dar,
. ed along the dark, deserted streets,
Il Winged by fear, the way was passe
swiftly, and soon stood in the principt
D.. street No lights we're visible save on
., which as advanced swiftly ! saw burne
= iu my husbands office. no longer neeC
ed assurance that something was wronl
u hurried on, burst recklessly into tt
-, ~ dark passage, used by other tenants I
I well as my husband, and then, without
-, moments pause, turned the lock ard stel
,sS ped into my husbands office.
no no Naturally timid, only the deadly iei
70 that possessed me could have made II
" forget that was perhaps rushing in
., undreamed fdanger
~ As opened the door the wind rush,
il in, and the faint light fickered aud die
st. out had thrust matches in my pocke
Mt unknowing why, and a moment sufiiced
alf rekindle the light As did so, iai
II. moan-a strange sound like an animal
he pain, struck my ear A cold shudder
nd fear crept over me, but finished lightiI
the kerosene lamp, and replaced Il
en chimney unbroken. 1t burned clear, al
ng gazed round trembingy for the eau
NJ of the strange sound had heard, and,
nd | did so, noticed the evident disorder
u.s. the room, the safe door swinging ope
| and papers scattered on the floor.
bic seemed to notice without seeing them -
tie see only my husband stretched pallid Al
w. ghasily on the floor in the corner Of {
bic room.
ir. 'Oh, Bella, Bella = was all said,
ost thiuk, but knelt by his side aud stro
with the cords that bound him, with t
zen gag thrust into his bleeding mouth.
ult | removed that first, and bathed I
les death cold brow In a moment hea
elr him murmtr word or two with gr,