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

w CAI, DiOtiiCAs SeAAe 5ShehS ~'Ai 9
Curtis, ''of course you will do with YOU
property as you desire, but it seems to
me that when man is standing, as 20,
are, on the edge of the grave, these bit
ter feelings and enmities had better b
laid aside, for they may prove a sorr
load if carried beyond. ap-t .
This she said without fear; the oil,
squire moved uneasily in his chair; the
words struck home, for they We're fact
not easily. set aside. he looked at thu
meek, gentle face of his sister, the onl,
one who could have so candidly tol(
him the truth. For once the cold, PROUD
mans feelings were touched. and wher
the answer came the tones shove,
plainly that the brave little woman'S
words of truth had indeed touched hi
heart. ~ o eff sf tst.,.rl-. e. -f-y .
swell. sister, 1 came to this conclu
sion years ago, and man isn't gong tt
change his mind, when it is in perfec
health. because he is as near the gray,
as you say I am" -
"Well, I don't know, brother, but
think grandmother was right when SHE
said to me, a few hours before she died
Mary. you may depend on it, the Lore
opens our eyes when We get near oul
journeys end as he never does before
and we see where we have done wrong
and Just where, if we had time, We
would alter things; the last sight il
truest and best.'' -- ''' - VI F
Squire Dorm did not speak, but leaned
back in his softly cushioned char. He
looked at his patient wife. then out
through the window. for it was early
June. He watched the beautiful flow.
ers. and mayhap the perfumed vino
stole down the dark pathway of his life
and waited back the scenes ofhis youth.
The wife and sister saw with sympa.
thetic eyes the workings ofhis careworn
face. Lt-- --
you know" again Mrs. Curtis ven
tured to say, ''that Edwin was much
younger than you" -.. ...5 -s
1t was years since his name had been
spoken in this way in the squirrels pres.
ence. In vain had his poor, forgivine
wife for years endeaYored to breach the
subject and Mrs. Curtis 'ventured on,
her face wore peaceful look as she in
wardly prayed that her husband might,
ere he died, show a spirit Of forgiveness.
At the mention Of his brothers. name,
the squire started; a look Of scorn
came and went over his face: but in a
few moments he answered. s---
HE was SIX years younger than I,
and my only brother" And he sighed.
and again he dropped his head.
Mrs. Curtis again broke the stiffness
by saying
Il saw old Mrs. Hart the other day
perhaps you remember her; she took
care of your mother while she was so i'll
with fever when you were twelve years
old" r.-.. ....-
Yes, remember" said the squire
''she was so kind to motherD' And the
tears started to his eyes, which showed
plainly that his feelings were aroused,
well, brother. she talked of oul
folks, and told ME of our brother, Ed
win, as he was at that time. Why, he
must have been handsome can i'm.
agine, but not exactly, how he looked
then. He had long brown curls, and
his eyes, she said, were always as full
of laughter as those lovely June morn
ings are full of sunshine; his cheeks
like roses. No wonder mother loved
him."
The squire turned uneasily in his
chair, for far off in his early life he saw
standing the small figure and bright
face Of the brother Of his boyhood ; and
forgetting, for a moment, the enmity
which existed, he said: ASSOC s7f-7 u
E"Yes Edwin was handsome" D.
she was like mother, and you took
after father" said Mrs. Curtis. L fell
touched as Mrs. Hart told me thai
when first Edwin started to go to the
district school, one morning-she just
told how be looked, with his blue anc
white striped trousers, his lovely curls
clustering round his head; his hand slip.
ped in yours, and mother standing
watching you with love and Dride-yol
had reached the gate when he turned
and said, Don't be afraid, mamma
Brother will take care of me' 1t is {
little thing to mention, but it seems tt
bring back pleasant remembrance o
our youth" -f- aGi}5'I -
The squire listened eagerly, anG
seemed to go back through the long
years, and once more stood boy BY
the garden gate. The doors efhis hear
were open, and the wind blew bach
from his boyhood days sweet memories
Eyes, remember all, sister, all, all
all!" = sY1Go @ h
He arose and walked across the room
then back to his chair, when he groan
ed, sob, Edwin, my brother Edwin y
and bowed his head as tears poured
oyer his sunken cheeks. "Oh, if hat
only laid aside this bitterness and re
venge when / took Mable from your
And how his sister told the softene,
man of his brothers. death, and that O
most Of his family.
1"You are nearing the grave, brother
beseech you, consider, before you GU
off Edwin's heirs from your will. w
owe something to our nearest kindred
and soon you will stand face to fac,
with father, mother and brother, and i
Won leave your hrofher,s children II