Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-08-15
THE eEp DORM HOMESTEAD.


A bright, old-fashioned wood fire
burned briskly on the hearth at the
Dorm Homestead. The scene without
was dismal; the autumn wind sighed
through and swayed the tall trees, and
the richly tinted leaves dropped over
the roof. The clouds, sullen and hazy.
few swiftly across the waning moon.
1t was chilly eve, and the occupants
Of the room drew nearer the fire. The
stiffness was at last broken by the timid
voice of woman-one who, in early
life, by her ambition had steered safe
from any pillows. But there is one
who could look beneath her mask of
: cheerfulness-on who knew her well
enough to say beyond contradiction
that all her girlhood's dreams and wo-
manhood's fondest hopes were wrecked.
Her husband, man accustomed to
view all women as the weaker vessel,
was stern to the tender. trustful and
forgiving wife of his bosom 49,.
Of the early life Of Squire Dorm will
say little: but now. being en- the down..
ward side Of life, the ewnergof vast
wealth. and without an heir to his es-.
tate, he had settled himself in tie old
homestead, stern. severe man, with
out any Of the geniality usually 50 at
tractiyo in old age. His wife, as 1 said
| before. he looked on as the weaker
vessel, naturally gentle and affection
ate. She had been subdued bya life of
daily crosses into a. reserved and timid
! woman.
. This evening, on which on story
opens, they were discussing the proba-
( de answer to a letter written to the
Squirrels brother, from whom he had for
years been estranged. proposing to
adopt his second child, Mabel. This
brother was a poor minister. living on
small salary. with large family to
care for. Tinid Mrs. Dorm had ven
/ tured to suggest that the child would
10 happier to wait until Spring before
bringing her there. HIS stern reply
was that she might as we'll know the
worst. .t.-... E s--2
''For ifshe comes, she VIII have to
winter as well as summer with us"
The timid woman once again sug-
gested taking two of the children: they
would be company for each other.
Madam the stern voice replied,
the hope of having a family of my own
has long since vanished. l Shall take
from my brothers family his daughter
Mabel and adopt her as my own. My
mind is fully made up"
She had stepped from her usual timid
way in making these suggestions, but
now sank back into her richly cushion
ed chair with a sad expression on her
face, while her lord ana master went on
with his remarks.
Il shall 90 to B-to-mowow, and
no doubt return with the child, who
must now be about ten years of age. In
my adoption ofher l shall cut off all
communication between her and her
family, and if my brother accepts the
call West. it will, if he accepts my
offer, greatly help me in carrying out
my plans .. .-... i.e... TX.
He also desired his wife to fully un-
derstand that no acquaintances must be
formed for the child, and her family
should never be mentioned. '-s
The next mornings mail brought the.
looked-for letter. and Immediately
Squire Dorm set out for B. where.
after traversing the narrow, irregular.
streets, he stood before a small brick
tenement, with the door-plate bearing
the name of the Rev. Edwin Dorm. The
brothers met cody, as though twas
but yesterday they parted, although
years had passed since they had met
before, the squire, in his prosperity and
ease, forgetting his poor brother, strug-
Cling for God and humanity. The
squire Immediately suggested his bus
mess and haste; the writing was drawn
and signed, and Mabel left her poor
but sunny life for new scenes and faces.
Indeed, for days she was lonely enough;
but the luxurious home, with its pic
lures, books and statuary. amused her,
only to make her grief at Incorporation
more poignant. Her uncle was the
same cold man she had always UNDER
t stood him to be. His quarrel with her
father was caused by the settlement of
their fathers property, and acoldn ess
had ever since existed, amounting to
bitter enmity on the part of her uncle.
His timid, patient wife had for years
tried to break down the barrier between
the two brothers, but to.no avail. .
Mabel was the light of the house, and
did all she could to please fier uncle,
whose health soon began to break down.
. He rapidly grew worse, and in short
time was confined to bis room. He
seemed to watch Mabel's slightest mo-
ton, and wished her ever near him, so
. that by night watching and close rooms
the rose was~-soon banished from
Mabel's cheek, and the elasticity from
her step; yet her. voice was always
kind. e.'er.h y4a.s sst'
And now a terrible grief overlook her;
father, mother, brothers and sisters
died Of a pestilence, leaving one only
) brother; and he was far away. Great
) was her desire to have her much loved
: brother near her but, knowing he had
a good position, she did not urge his
immediate return. Her uncle had not