Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-08-19
MY BROTHER CALEB.
How He Protected a Black Fam
lily Sheep.

~ N~~~O~R'
I really believe that the matter of
finding an appropriate title for this
little history has taken as much time
and made me more trouble than did
the writing of it. In fact, what l have
set down at the head of these pages
was my first thought on the subject,
and have been able to think of moth
ing better. 1t is quite natural that this
should be so, for 1 Meyer knew time
when Caleb did not seem to me every
thing that dear brother should be.
and make me by his care and kindness
hardly realize my lack OF parental
nurture.
My father never knew; he died sud-
denly while l was mere babe. From
my earliest recollections of my mother
she was an invalid, sometimes bedrid-
den, rarely able to endure a carriage
ride, even in the best weather, and
generally confined to her own cham
Der. All that she was able to do for
me she did, but her poor health made
it necessary that should be cared for
during my childhood by others, and
until | was twelve years old, was
looked after during the daytime by a
succession of nursery and gov
ernesses. During the seasons that
mothers frightful headaches gave her
a brief respite, was allowed to visit
her room, and although she was al
such times very sweet and pleasant,
the recollection of her pale, suffering
face was always a sad one to me. She
never was able to come to meals with
us; SO this brief view will 60 far to ex.
plain how it was that Caleb really
took the place of all other relatives.
He was teller in one of the banks
and had to be away from home the
whole day. How l used to long fol
his return at night! After the usua
fashion of children, l studied my books
and recited my lessons to my gov
erness, but book learning had NJ
charm for me unless Caleb was will
me to share tho task, and make i
easier His evenings were almos
wholly devoted to my improvement
and pleasure, and can see now wha
gave me no concern as a child-tha
this sacrifice of his time for me mad,
it necessary for HIM to devote to hi
own reading, hours when he SHOULD
have been asleep. Dear, unselfisl
brother! He never had cause to re
proach himself with his treatment Q
me, certainly. So it is plain enoug
that Caleb was the largest figure o.
my domestic horizon; at least, unit
my marriage. And while this recor
may speak of others as often as of him
none but he could ever claim to be tn
hero of it.
My life had passed away PEACEFUL
and without striking events until tn
summer OF my tenth year, | had q
ways lived in the same house; indeed
it is still my home, and that of my hui
band and children. 1t is inexpressibl
dear to me from the memories of
lifetime-for | am far past the middl
age now-from the births, the death
and the one marriage, at least, thu
have occurred within its walls, an
dear beyond all this with the memol
of Caleb, which every room and a
most every object in it suggests to m
This house and all its appointment
q, lam told, Were the pride and deligI
OF my father; Judge Maytham.
is large, roomy mansion, in ii
fashionable quarter of the city, wi
every thing in and about it for cor
fort and taste, nothing for mere sho'
My father left fortune to his famii
but this made no difference wi
Caleb's employment. He was in Il
bank before father died, and after tn
presume he owned stock there; b
he liked his position, and would n
relinquish it. l was the only daught
of the family, and the choice of n
father gave me for life the state
name of Regina, which Caleb al
others usually contracted to Regy.
In the summer of my tenth year,
startling incident happened in t
house. 1t was on the night of t
18th of June. Caleb came home at s
O'Clock, tired, but good-natured
ever. Mother was having one of h
painful neuralgia attacks, and the dc
tor had come a few moments earle
Caleb went up to her chamber at ono
and remained there nearly an hol
When he came down he said to me:
1.-The doctor has given her an an
dyne, Regy, and says she must be Ike
quiet. SO don't go to her room
night. Now let's have supper. ="
rang the bell, the meal was brougl
and we two sat down to it alone,
usual. The doctor came down in
few moments, gave some directions
side what he had left with the nur:
took cup of tea, and departed. Aft
our supper was over and the tai
cleared. we sat by the great lam
and according to our custom,
lated to him all the incidents that h
happened at home during the day.
last we said goodnight. My room "
between mothers and Caleb's. l W
asleep in less than ten minutes, |
Caleb Gas he told me afterward) was L
able to sleep Immediately, and withc
undressing, sat down to read pap
He also told me afterward that
alarm of which / anu about to spe
occurred a few minutes before twel'
and that it was a crash, like the fall
something in the library. | heard
alarm of that kind. What i did he
-. .--....- b.,1x- IN tho houSa haa,