Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-01-19
4 fathers CURSE.

On a rickety bed, in one of the most
abominable old tenement houses in the
city of New York, was stretched the
wasted, soulleSs form of 4 woman noJ yet
in the prime of life. The other occupant
Of the chamber was a child, sturdy,
manly little fellow over whose ringletted
head had passed the suns of five summers.
Standing by the bedside this child qui-
ely stroked tie sunken cheeks and kissed
the cold, pale lips which never again in
this world would respond to the careSs OF
nor speak to her darling words OF praise
or rcrroof.
"Wake up, mammal" lie cried joylully,
as the rough door opened, admitting an
other mite of humanity, girl of seven,
perhaps, bearing in her hands stcaminS
bowl, "Lottic'S got the soup, mamma, and
you will get well, sure"
In lns eagcrness to arouse her, the little
fellow climbed upon the bed, and cxcrtcd
his boyish strength to raise the dead wo-
man to sitting posture. Lottic tiptocd
up to tho couch, and, carefully setting the
bowl of broth on the uncarpetcd floor,
gently raised one of the thin, wan hands,
already growing cold.
Then, leaning over the still form, she
placed her ear to her mothers breast.
From the heart that was still forever she
was rewarded with no sound, and then
the miniature woman fell on her knees
beside all that was left Of her dear one, and
tears Of anguish followed each other down
the checks which had prcmaturely lost
their childish, rosy-hucd plumpness.
"Climb down from thc bed, Rory"
said the girl, shaking with sobs, "Mamma
does not want the broth now. She has
gone to papa, and we are all alone, all
alone
As if the reteration Of the sad truth
had given heI fuller realization of their
irrcparablc loss, tie girl gavo way to an
other storm of passionate weeping, which
Rory, who had clambered down and nes-
tied lis curly head close to the bowed
head of his sister, could in no wise ac-
count for.
"Why, Lottie, mamma can't be gone
when she is all here" said Rory, while a
puzzled look crept into his blue eyes.
go, you poor baby" replied Lottie,
putting her arm around her little brother
and drawing his curly head closer; 'you
were too young to know when papa diod,
but lie was just like that, pointing to the
form of their mother, all cold and white.
alt scared me at first, but mamma told me
that it was only our souls that lived for
ever and ever, and when God calls that
home it goes straight to heaven. Papa's
soul went home when you were in long
clothes, and now mamma has gone"
go, don't you wish God would take us
too?" exclaimed Rory, earnestly. Then,
seeing the broth, his longing for immor-
tality was overcome by the cravings Of
nature, and, as he sat down on the floor
ana took the bowl in his lap, remarked
philo.ophically;
"But if we can't go to heaven, VIC can
have the soup, Lottie," and his grief was
soon forgotten in the enjoyment OF the
first GOOD meal lie had tasted for many
days. Lottie, however, refused TO par
take of the refreshmcnt. and after kissing
the cold lips and instinCtively drawing
tho bcdcloihes more closely around the
form of her dead mother u if to keep out
that deadly chill which would soon creep
over her, the child left the room, telling
Rory she was going for Mrs. Mckibbon
who had been SO good to them and had
given them the broth.
The dead woman had been tic only
Child OF 4 well-to-do New England far
mcr, beautiful, red-cheeked country
lass, full of lite, and wild desire to see
what kind of an existence people led be-
yond the bleak, uncompromisiug tops Of
the Blue Ridge, in the shadow Of which
she was born. Here she was wooed and
won by Harry Woodman, young artist
from New York, who was passing the
idle summer days in the mountain village
near which lay the fathers farm.
IS Mattic Hammond was the handsom-
est girl within a radius OF a score of miles,
and as good and intelligent as she WAS
pretty, Cupid'S task was comparatively an
easy one, and an attachment sprang mp
hetween them which ended in a secret
marriage.
To city men, and especially when view
ed in the light of lovers, Maftie's father
had an uncSnquerable aversion. But
when the drcIm-like days Of summer were
ended, and Harfy's work demanded his
return to the city, the youthful couple
bearded the lion in his den, and revealed
to the stern old man the fact of their mar
riage. On her knees poor Matte had
begged forgiveness Of her father. yet,
wiki wifely devotion, clung TO her boy
husband. But her piteous pleadings were
ia vain. The father cursed his only child
and badc her never again, while life last
ed, show her face within the walls Of the