The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-02-16

poured upon her ear their mingled and 10
quaGous consultations. But one remained
silent. The daughter Of Adam Bell, wht
sat by Mrs. Elliot's elbow at table, haG
shrunk into an obscure corner of the room
Before her face she held handkerchiei
wet with tears. Her bosom throbbed con.
yulsiyely +; and, as occasionally her broken
sighs burst from their prison-house, a sig.
lpi6cant whisper passed among the younger
part Of the company.
MIS-. Elliot approached her, and taking
her hand tcnderly within both of hers
70 hinny, hinny r said she, Eyer sighs gas
' q 5rsswy fTifo An what
can ISdo to comfort ye? Come Elizabeth,
my bonny love, let us hope for the best
NYe see before ye sorrowin' mother Ia
mother that fondly hoped to see you au'-I
hanna say Ian am i'll qualified to gle
comfort when my own heart is like furnace!
But oa ! let us try and remember the bless
ed potion, Whom the Lord loveth He
chasteieth,' an inwardly pray for strength
to say bis will be done >"
Tinf stole on towards midnight, and one
shy onexhe unsuccessful party returned
AS foot after foot approached, every breath
was heldto listen. "No, no, no |" cried the
mother, sgain and again, with increasing
anguish, Ms no the foot O. my ain
bairn;" fie her keen gaze still remained
riveted on the door, and was not with
ara~6;; nur the -nupcu uuspalr rcIIn9uishcd,
Till tie Individual entered, and with silent
and ominous shake of his head, betokcncd
his fruitless efforts. The clock had struck
twelve ;sall were returned save the father.
The wind howled more wildly the rain
poured upon the windows in ceacclcss tor
rents and the roaring of the mountain
rivers gave character Of deeper ghostliness
to their sepulchral silence for they sat, each
rapt in forebodings, listening to the storm !;
no sounds were heard, save the groans of
the mother, the weeping of her children,
and The bitter and broken sobs of the be-
reavcd naidep, wb6 slcaned her head upon
her fatHer's bosoh, refusing to lie com,
forttd: IS
At length the barking of the farm.dog
s-t"tervsr----: '-1r7S''S Every
cufMas raiscd to listen, every eye turned to
the door but, before the tread was yet
audible to the listene: Sob, it is only Pc
ter's foot ~ said the miserable mother, and,
weeping, rose to meet him.
Janet! Janet !" he exclaimed as he en-
tered and threw his arms around her neck,
whats this come upon us at last"
lie cas-: an inquisitive glance around his
dwelling, and convulsive shiver passed
over his manly frame, as his eye again fell
on the vacant chair which none had ven
tured to occupy. Hour succeeded hour,
but the company separated not; and low,
sorrowful whispers mingled with the lamon-
tations Of the parents.
''Neighbor," said Adam Bell, "the morn
is a new day ard we will wait to sec what it
may bring forth but, in the meantime,
let us read a portion O the Divine Word,
am knee together in prayer, that whether
or not the day-dawn cause light to shine up
on this singular bereavement, the Sun O
Righteousness may arise wi healing on his
wings upon the hearts O all present"
"AmekF' responded Peter, wringing his
hands yand2his friend taking down the Ha'
Bible read the chapter wherein it is written
-"Itis'better to be in the house Of mourn
ing tim in the house of feasting;" and
agai9tRe portion which sayeth-"It is we'll
for me xhat 1 have been afflicted, for before
wasAifiicted, l went astray."
TheSmorning came, but brought no It'd
ings of\the lost son. After solemn fare
wo all the ssitants save Adam Bel td tSsir ned
own house aaea s"e disconsolate father, with
his Ierysnts, again renewed their search
aroltd tho hills and surrounding villages.
Dasa weeks, months, and years, rolled on.
Time eIa3 subdued the anguish of the pa
rcntasint6 holy calm but their first born
wasuot fbrgottea, although no trace of his
fate s.Aadbeen discovered. The general be-
lief wss, ,that he perished on the breaking
up ofsthe snow; F; and the few, in whose re
membrance he still lived, merely spoke o.
his death as "very extraordinary circum
stance" remarking that che was a wild
venturesome sort O lad"
Christmas, succeeded Christmas and Pc
ter Elliot still kept it in commemoration o
him Win wns not For the first few yaar