South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-09-17
May and September.
EY NARY A. LOWELL.

IN weli-iurnisbcd apartment in one
OF the horses of Bioomingdale Street
there sat, on tho morning | speak Of.
three persons. One was man, whose
smooth brow and unfaded locks told
nothing of age, but whose limbs were
completely paralyzed. The second was
n lady who might once have possessed
great beauty. but on whom consumption
Mas making hasty and unmistakablc
ravagcs. The third was n girl of eigh.
teen or nineteen, whose likeness To each,
as we'll rs her evident devotion to their
wants, proclaimed her their daughter
Kate Ashcroft was not beautiful. in the
common acceptance Of the word She
had line expressive eyes and q sweet
mouth; but even these did not entitle
her to be called n beauty The highest
charm OF her face was n sweet and love.
ly expression. speaking OF inward peace
and gentle kindly thoughts.
Mr.. Ashcroft had long been miser.
able invalid. when still in the primo
Of life, paralysis had done its work upon
his frame; bringing all the appearances
OF old age to his noble figure, while his
face was still youthful Mrs. Ashcroft
had watched beside him faithfully and
dcvotedly, until consumption had touch
ed her with its chilling fingers and laid
her Upon bed Of pain and distress
Thus it fell TO the daughter to nurse the
two beloved invalids and she did it
with n devotion that made the task light.
She was the light of their cycs-the on.
| ly being whom they could not cheerful.
ly give up, in the prospect of death
What contd she do when they were
gone. was question that weighed upon
their minds most heavily. They had no
| relatives near enough to take IL interest
in their child and the few friends thcv
possessed were in foreign lands Judge
then how desolatc was the path which
seemed to be before the daughter they
loved so well. 1t added. too. to their
anxiety, that they must leave her pen.
niless. Sickness had melted away their
resources, until the little that was left
would hardly, Mr. Ashcroft thought. pay
the expenses Of the double funeral which
must inevitably follow their long and
lingering illness.
do not grievc so, dearest father"
Kate had been saying, Il shall surely be
provided for. can work as well as ma.
ny others. The little l shall want, can
earn
Her father gazed at her with fearful
eyes. "l'oor child" he exclaimed !;
how little you know of the world. How
will you, who have known so little of
the trials Of life. be able to stem the rude
torrent OF adversely? How will YOU
bear up against the terrible burden of
poverty. Will those little hands he
strong enough to earn your daily bread?
You. who have never been trained TO
work. who have never borne tue weight
of crushing sorrow-O mcrciful Father
do thou temper the wind to This shorn
lamb! Bring her into thy fold, and
make her thy especial care ~
Tears hot and bitter impeded his ut
terancc. 1t was long ere Kate could
soothe him into anything like compo-
sure. Mute and still was the mothers
grief, yet rs deep rs that of her husband.
All the terrorS of desolate lonely life
for Kate uprose before her. yet she con-
| qucred all trace of emotion. 1t was but
the prelude to greater suffering. for that
night saw her in the shadow of the dark
valley. The breaking of blood-vcssel
was the consequence of her suppressed
emotions, and before morning the weary
! spirit was released from the suffering
! body.
There sat the shadow feared of man."
More rapidly than ever, Mr.. Ashcroft
was failing. The death of his wife was
his own deathblow. From the moment
of her departure, he ceased to speak. and
lay wrapped in silent grief 1t was pitt.
full indeed, to see poor Kate. She went
from room TO room, to look upon her
mothers lifely remains. and back again.
TO try to speak comfort to the poor mute
sufferer. Scarce day interviewed be.
fore he, too. was summoned away. 40.
for one word-onc look Of recognition -
sighed the poor girl who hung over him.
Alas, it was not granted her. Slowly
the pulse ceased beating, and then stop.
! ped forever. Kate was indeed doubly or.
( phaned.
I Kind neighbors tried TO bring comfort
20 the bereaved girl but she could not
bear the words. She shrank from them
rs If they touched the very quick and
her well-meaning comforters. mt lcnotb.
left her to herself When all was over.
Kate was told that she must leave The
house. IL was wanted for n richer ten.
ant. She had not a single dollar. Her
furniture was taken away and sold. TO
pay the rent. All the little ornaments
of the rooms, so dear 20 her because
they were the gifts Of her parents on
successive birthdays, went with the rest
and IN the afternoon Of the third day
from the funeral Of both her parents.
Kate walked out of the gate and entered
o small cottage, poor. mean and old. the
only shelter she could afford TO rest in.
The next week saw her out in pursuit
Of Observation-Disclosures
that would bring her food enough 10 sup.
port life and strength. No foolish pride
in Rates heart held her back from the
search after the means OF living. Teach.
ing-that resource Of almost every girl
lett to herself--was not included In her