Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-19
NO. 1863.
Gales aud Sketehes.
AUNT FANNY'S STORY.
Continued from Yesterday

columns and finally rested on those ey-
IDENTIFY heart-spoken words "Oh, let
not the night come and find so little ae-
complished; let not these golden Jewels
of Time, as they drop from Gods bene-
ficent fingers. be utterly lost"
Those words were standing rebuke
to me. How many times had the cur
tains OF Gods windows been drawn.
| shutting out the day from my sight, and
| found me indebted for time spen; in idle.
useless dreaming. All day long was
haunted with my wasted life. All my
energy lay covered with rust. my talents
were covered over with the cobwebs of
dreamland had robbed the gracious
Giver of the casket of jewels that he had
lent TO me to be returned with usury. /
had allowed it to be corroded with rust,
which would ever mar the brilliancy of
the jewels within. When he called for
| them what an account | should be
| obliged to give for wasted opportunities.
There was still valuable part left
| should leave that to 60 to ruin with the
rest?
mo" was the answer of nv whole
soul. would arise and put on my
beautiful garments, | would that hour
| begin new life; though the sun had long
! since passed the meridian, yet the night
should not come till | had accomplished
| some good. | would watch for oppor-
tunities.
Summer faded, and clasped hand with
her sister Autumn as she resigned scep-
ter and crown, with bowed form, but q
placid smile upon her pale lips. She had
fulfilled her mission. Not a single thread
was missing in all the fabric.
Sanfamhar with bar nuiat ,Jraarnv Jars
| and starry nights, found me really enjoy
ing an active life. | felt like another
being. "Old things had passed away
and behold all things had become new
1t seemed strange how much one could
| accomplish when one had will to do.
Fifteen years from the day my whole
| life had seemed wrecked upon barren
strand, | was travelling through the state
OF Illinois on my way to visit some re-
lations. The numbering stage wagon
was well filled with passengers and bag.
gage. The roads were not always as
| smooth as plank could have made them,
but the landscape was varied with bright
hued autumn flowers scattered over the
far reaching prairie, amid the rank grass.
And travellers always manage to make
the route Interesting with historical
| sketches and bits OF western experience
Thus we were amusing each other
when suddenly there was crash, and
| 10! the passengers went tumbing out up
on the ground; making quite an exhibit
ton OF gymnast'c exercises, without
| studying position; fortunately no one
was seriously injured, though there was
| a chance of some delay, as one of the
wheels was badly broken.
Spying cabin a short distance from us,
proposed to the lady travellers that we
walk there and find II resting place. We
found the little cottage pleasantly situated,
amid flowers, and surrounded by young
fruit trees.
We were admitted to a cosy sitting room
by fair young girl who had but recently
entered her teens. Again encountered
a pair OF bewitchng black Eyes so like
those in the face framed in the secret
chambers of my heart. that | was sure st
once that the beautiful girl before me was
| none other than the daughter of Harry
Steele and so it proved. For in neatly
| furnished room | found him in the last
stages of consumption confined to his
| room, and for the most part to the couch.
He recognized me almost instantly, al
| though had grown old and faded. And
| |. oh, how my heart plead for his life to
| be spared, the moment my eyes looked
| upon his white p'acid face. | had be-
| lieved the old love dead years ago. But |
found that it could be easily resurrected,
| now that the stone had been removed from
| the door of the sepulcher, and could be-
hold him wrapped in the linen cloths of
| suffering. HIS wife, who had proved
faithful and true. had at last won the true
| love OF his manhood, had died two years
previously, leaving him with one child,
the young girl who had given us well
come to their humble abode.
While my travelling companions were
taking a rest, | took seat by the couch of
the invalid as requested. THE great
wish of my heart has been granted y said
Mr.. Steele. II have at last beheld your
face once more; and have heard your
voice in tones of forgiveness. for the suf-
ferng that | caused You. But the Great
Father of as all is witness that had no
thought of gaining an affection that was
not returned. You were my hearts first
love, and it was only to save my parents
from sorrow and disgrace that married
one of their choosing. She was good and
true, and learned to regard her as a
precious treasure"
| "And now when | am gone, will you
ho' '"hS my uauSht 4 W your uOuc anu
heart, and love her tor the sake of those
old days OF happiness? She is named for
you, Fanny Morgan Steele She will not
be lett doweless or dependent. But
want her to be cherished with the loving
care Of which she is deserving. and l
know OF no one more capable than your
self You will find her not entirely a
| stranger, for she has been taught from
early childhood to love the face of 'Annt
Fanny! Will you not be mother to the
lonely orphan ?'
made the required promise. just as the
| suns last elimmering ray peeped in at the
west window, and as he placed his daugh-
ter's hand in mine. he prayed to Him who
careth for the fatherless, to bless US in our
new relation.
And in remembrance of that old sum-
mer time l sealed the promise with a kiss
upon that young brow.
Before the morning dawned his spirit
passed beyond the portals of that brighter
day. where sorrows aud Affections enter
moi tJpon the third dav wa nlaeel th,