Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-20
CHAPTER ".

or late years, perhaps. nothing had
quite SO much engTOssed Mrs. Beltham as
the care Of her young charge, Charlie Bar
rvtt. W hat Charlie must do, must eat,
must wear, must know, had proven eXcit-
ing questions TO the good lady. She was
emIuently fusSy-a person TO throw a
world of thought, management, work and
discipline into any small matter; even the
purchase of a dress for the child, what
Its color, style. texture must be was al
ways a serious and important interest,
and many matters OF state have received
far less attention than the exact size OF Il
figure on one Of Charles dresses. Moth
ing was arrived at with anything like
calmness. Everything underwent sys-
tenn of discussion and talk as wearYing as
1t was unnecessary, and Charlie some
times told her mamma IN private that she
much preferred a short attack OF acute
illness to having even a hOme-dress
bought ana fitted. Then the tastes Of
the two were entirely dissimilar, Mrs.
Beltham always cOutendlng that she had
''seen the world" even Paris, and that
the girl was too Young and too untraveled
To have an opinion on the subject, and
Charlie always had to yield, always. she
cOntended, she protested, she reheled, all
10 no purpose. She always wore just
what "grandmOther' approved. but she
wore it as a rebel does his chains, with
a high head and a subjugated but I'M
tanned spirit.
About her education her father had in
tertered more. Judge Barrett had been
an only child, and so also had his first
wife; consequently his daughter had few
near relatives. not an uncle, aunt or first
cousin: but she had maternal great
uncle, minister, who had for years had
charge of her education. This gentle
man, DR.. Fearne, had for Thirty years
been pastor of the same church in this
city, where he was unusually respected
and Beloved man OF naturally excel
lent temper, he had, for long life, illus
trated the most attractive Christian viz
tues, and his blameless life might well af-
ford Il shining example for tue respect aud
imitation of his devoted flock. Nor WAS
he only the passive exponent of Il meek
and lUWly Christianity. Any and every
abuse. any and every wrong drew from ms
voice and pen strong aud pungent de-
nunciatiOn. He had been at once meek
and fearless, gentle and strong, indtpeu-
dent and conserVatiVe-a man to lead
men, albeit he taught a gospel of Peace.
Without pedantry he was rare scholar,
without display spirited orator, and
without aileCtatiOn thoroughly good man.
lie had married long years before Il beau
tltul girl and an helreSs, and his hands
had been tull; but, hating OStentatiOn and
desplshg display, he had devoted his
abundant means TO a soulful and Syste-
matte charity. lie had chosen his wife
for her lovely Christian character, and
accepted the accidental accompaniment
OF wealth gladly enough as atfOrding
them both wide field for usefulness and
good. But his pathway had not been all
sunshine. -Four times had he written
himself childess before it pleased Provi-
dence 20 leave his treasure with him.
Four times had a beautiful and gifted
child passed away from his love aud care
be ore the last mad come. The faterul
period WAS with this one successfully
passed, and right j0yfully the stricken
PARENTS had claimed him anew. and de-
voted themselves TO this one so. kindly, 81
mercifully spared. He had grown in
brain and in stature, happily saved 10y
the good sense of his parents from the
snares which Deset the pathway oil
child Of wealth and unusual advantages.
He was now man Of character and