Connecticut western news., 1878-01-24
VOL. VII.

He left me without saying anything more, and'I was too much astonished to detain him. He had been so generous and kind, that to hear him utter such words surprised me. > I had no. idea love could so change man. ~ -. s.5F j. '.'.
 He came to me the next day when the pilot-boat was sighted, and said, " Bill, will you go with me to Sandford when we are clear from the ship? I may need your assistance" 7.l.'f H'... +- -''
 Certainly, Jim and be glad to go. i"
 "We will start then as soon as we are paid of. l" ~ s .A---L ..'.-t .... , u a.'@'-t '"I will be ready" r.... ..r.+ *- was single man, with no home ties. and thus able to grant Jim's request without loss of pleasure or comfort The day the pilot came aboard we were lowed up through the Narrows, and the next day were on the way to Sandford It was like one clear September afternoon when we arrived there. The sunlight was warmth and golden, and the earth still retained enough of its summer beauty to be charming. - s..s s. ta.5..,s r-.
 Sandford is quet Connecticut village, with no noisy factory or smoky chimnies to deface its rural beauty. A row of tall and graceful elms runs through the village street, and the church spire over tops these. Around the broad stretch of level grass called The Green, the plain and commodieus homes of it's people cluster, and there are some farmers teams always standing in front of it's once pretentious brick store.
 Beyond the buildings that form the village, some wide meadow lands stretch back to low range of hills whose gently ascending sides were then clothed with fields of ripening corn. A shining stream runs through the meadows, often over shadowed by leaning willows, and after skirting the village and bubbling across the road, wanders on to an opening in the western hills. -l- z H-.... . It is lovely spot, too lovely to foster feelings of revenge or deception. When we alighted from the stage that had conveyed us to Sandford from the station for the village was not on the line of 8 railroad, Jim was warmly greeted by some young men standing on the stoop of the store, and after replying to thelr salutations, he inquired for his brother, and was informed that he was at home.
 "Come," said he, s'I must see Tom, for I shall know better how to act after hearing what he and Alice have to say. Alice is his wife," as.-s
 As we walked toward the north part of the village, Jim informed me that Tom and himself were the @ly remaining representatives of a large family, and that one of the best farms in the district belonged to them. Tom was married, and lived in the old honaeatAnd, xuhie11 was double house, built to accommo- date two families. Jim, whose nature partook of rov1ng cast, had sought the sea, led thereto by false notion of the charms of sailors life. He always visited Sandford when his voyages were finished, and had kept up his knowledge of affairs going on in the village, and his acquaintance with Lillie Clarke, and it was during his previous visit that they became engaged.
 We soon reached the outskirts of the village, and came to large house standing between the brook and the road.
 "This IS my home," said Jim, as he entered the gate.
 We passed round the house to 0 veranda, where a woman was seated, sewing. As the sound of our steps fell on her ear she looked up. Why, Jim, is it you ?" she said, and rising, she gave him both hands, and put up her face to be kissed.
 "Yes, it is Jim. Alice, my brother Tom's wife, Bill" he said, turning to me after saluting her. "But how is Lillie ?''
 "very low. The doctor does not think she can live"
 "Then must see her at once.''
 "I don't think they will let you. The doctor says she must be kept quiet"
 ." They will let me see her. know. Come, Bill, I may need you. Tell Tom am home, and we will be back to, night, Alice," and having said this he rapidly retraced his steps to the village when he arrived at the church turning down narrow lane leading to small neat cottage. -
 The windows of this were darkened and there was quiet about it, such as generally pervades the home of sickness Jim rapped on the door, and in 8 few moments it was opened by a middle-age6 lady, whose face showed traces of watch ing and sorrow.
 She was the most motherly-l looking , woman I ever saw, and the sorrow il ] her eyes made her appear very lovely There were no traces of gray in tn, chestnut brown hair, and the face anc form were full of grace. She started slightly as her eyes fell on Jim's face
 but immediately held out her hand. ant F said: "James, how glad I am to SCI you come in"
 Jim took her profered hand and en t tered, and I followed him. The woma, led the way to neat parlor, and aske, } us to be seated, but Jim would not. l "Mother Clarke, this is my frien, t and shipmate, Bill Hastings. He ha
 been with me all this voyage, and , brough ght him here for purpose, Mothe
 Clarke" and his voice fell; chow i t Lillie ?''
 "She is very weak, and seems to b
 mining away to death.''