The daily gazette., 1875-07-28

. lay ewes on one of Daniel Corbyn's bovs
again In this world. Yesterday saw
fne anniversary of my eighty.finth year
LIS scarcely probable I shall live to SEQ
another. All my family are q me. Thov
oied one after another, leaving M q sad
OLD man. whose days of usefullness have
long since passed away. Tis many a
year since lost the greater part of nv
fortune. So long that I almost forget
tne iact. Indeed it never occurs to my
mlnd unless some one mentions 1t, TIL, ra
ts hardly a sensation more bitter than
the feeling of desolation which presses
upon heart that has no one 10 lean on
TOE sympathy. Perhaps you understand
me, seeing that you, too, ara alon.. Sol
itude in deserts must be ioyless but SOL
itude 10 crow is il fri{htful.
| When Peter was drowned he was the
last OF my race-wife. SONS, daughters
had all gone before him, 60 the news of
his death smote my old heart like bolt
OF zee. Inc night heard tie news I
wept until the break Of day. seem al to
be wholly deserted, and I wished Co die. I
was very near despair. Friends came Co
me, but their words were idle. I could
sac or hear nothing.
Il was taken i'll, and nv life was
wavering. in the balanos for DAYS and
weeks, A. length tue crisis passed, and
began to regain strength, but never
more had courage to face the world,
Everything I most loved had been torn
from me, and became p solitary man in
my habits and tastes. should no more
think of making new friends ia The
yonder sea-"
He paused while, evidently overcome
by the intensity of his feelings. At
length he askei.
DO you remcmber man in -FOUR
fathers employ named Martia SHAY ?"
Perfectly" ! replied. "he was our gar
"well." continued Mr.. Cole. 'fthat man
,s now one Of the most thriving farmers
IN tins section Of the country. He is
quite wealthy, too. has several fine
daughters, and has given thsm q good
education. My poor boy Peter was en-
gagged to he married TO one Of Shsy's
girls. Her name ID Martha. The only
picture in the world of poor Peter, tins
girl possesses. ! have some money still
left, Ben, and would give it all If 7
could ottain my poor boys likeness"
why, certainly, sir, she would not
refuse e!.1 to give it to you z? ] exclaimed
You are mistaken,"1 said Msy Cole.
Her father and myself had some diff.
Guilty about mouey matteEs, and he has
raEen O hatred TO me, and even threaten
cd my life. Martha has been ttiiarri, d
seventeen years; 80, you see, she can't
value the picture" 2TE
Give me Shay's address" I said, "and
will try my powers OF persuasion"
The old man describe Shay'sp resi-
dence so minutely that had 10 difficult
ty in finding it.
Shay was exceedingly glad to see me,
and surprised, of course, to find ndmsalive.
DE talked Of old times. and made me
stay to take dinner with him.
During the af ernoon we took walk
over his place, and I thought il q god
opportunity to speak in behalf Of old hr.
Coles wishes. Shay heard my story
wit thout interruptips me, and when I
had concluded he bloke out into a loud
augh. w.
why, bless you. Mr.. Ben" be seplied,
: my girl Martha was never engaged to
Peter Coio, and assure you she never
lad his pisture. Moreover, Martha is
lot married. Perhaps you don't know
{, but old Cole has been crazy ever .ince
'eter was drowned. I've head this story
u yours dozen times before. There Is
70 foundation fer II save In the old mans
isordered mind Every body undel stands
his matter"
$50 then have been duped by O crazy
IAN? p
Even 50. Mr.. Ben." replied Shay
Cole is very old, and has ringulsr fan
? for originating stories to interest tho
ind hearted"