The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-08-09
MY BROTHER CALEB.
How He Protected Black Fam
lily Sheep.

lily Sheep.
! 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 Ihave
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 | never 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 l never knew he died sud-
denly while | 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 l 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-maids and gov
ernesses. During the seasons that
mothers frightful headaches gave her
a brief respite, l was allowed to visit
her room, and although she was at
such times very sweet and pleasant,
the recollection of her pale, suffering
face was always 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 for
his return at night! After the usual
fashion of children, | studied my books
and recited my lessons to my gov
erness, but book learning had no
charm for me unless Caleb was with
me to share the task, and make it
easier His evenings were almost
wholly devoted to my improvement
and pleasure, and | can see now what
gave me no concern rs child-that
this sacrifice of his time for me made
ii ne; essary for HIM to devote to his
own reading, hours when he should
have been asleep. Dear, unseltish
brother! He never had cause to re.
proach himself with his treatment OF
me, certainly. So it is plain enough
that Caleb was the largest figure OF
my domestic horizon; at least, unit
my marriage. And while this RECORD
may speak Of others as often as of him
none but he could ever claim to be the
hero of it.
My life had passed away peacefully
ana without striking events until the
summer of my tenth year had al
ways lived in the same house; indeed
it is still my home, and that of my hus
band and children. 1t is inexpressibly
dear to me from the memories of
litctime-for am far past the middle
age now from the births, the deaths
and the one marriage, at least, tina
have occurred within its walls, ant
dear beyond all this with the memor,
of Caleb. which every room and al
most every object in it suggests to me
This house and all its appointments
! am told, were the pride and deligh
OF my father, Judge Maytham.
is large, roomy mansion, in tn,
fashionable quarter of the city, witt
every thing in and about it for com
fort and taste, nothing for mere show
My father left fortune to his family
but this made no difference witt
Caleb's employment He was in tn
bank before father died, and after tina
Ipresume he owned stock there; bu
he liked his position, and would no
relinquish it. l was the only daughte
of the family, and the choice of m
father gave me for life the stated
name Of Regina, which Caleb an
Others usually contracted to Regy.
In the summer of my tenth year,
startling incident happened in tn
house. 1t was on the night of th
18th of June. Caleb came home at 81
O'Clock, tired, but good-natared a
ever. Mother was having one of he
painful neural gic attacks, and the doc
tor had come . few moments earlier
Caleb went up to her chamber at once
and remained there nearly an hour
When he came down he said to me:
1.-The doctor has given her an ano
dyHe, Regy, and says she must be KEEP
quiet So don't 60 to her room tC
night. Now let's have supper"
l rang the bell, the meal was brought
and we two sat down to it alone, a
usual. The doctor came down in
few moments, gave some directions be
side what he had left with the. nurse
took cup of tea, and departed. Ate
Al L