Thomas County cat., 1886-08-19
MY BROTHER CALEB.
How He Protected Black Fam.
lily Sheep.

OAOOPs
l 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 l 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 a 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 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 4
succession of nursery-p,aids and gov
ernesses. During the seasons that
mothers frightful headaches gave her
brief respite, 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-lcarning 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 as child-that
this sacrifice of his time for me made
1t necessary for him to devote to his
own reading, hours when he should
have been asleep. Dear, unselfsh
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 on
my domestic horizon; at least, until
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
and 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 a
lifetime-for l am far past the middle
age now-from the births. the deaths.
and the one marriage, at least. that
have occurred within its walls, and
dear beyond all this with the memory
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 delight
of my father. Judge May:ham. 1t
is a large, roomy mansion. in the
fashionable quarter of the city, with
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 with
Caleb's employment He was in the
bank before father died, and after that
presume he owned stock there; but
he liked his position, and would not
relinauish it. l was the only daughter
of the family. and the choice Of my
father gave me for life the stately
name of Regina, which Caleb and
Others usually contracted to Regy.
In the summer of my tenth year, a
startling incident happened in the
house. 1t was on the night of the
18th of June. Caleb came home at six
O'Clock, tired, bu: good-natured as
ever. Mother was having one of her
painful neuralgia attacks, and the doc
tor had come few moments earlier.
Caleb went up to her chamber at once,
ano remained there nearly an hour.
When he came down he said to me:
The doctor has given her an ano-
dyne, Regy, and says she must be kept
quiet SO don't 60 to her room to-
night. Now let's have supper"
rang the bell, the meal was brought,
and We two sat down to it alone, rs
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. After
our supper was over and the table