The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-29

ea wanp us> gave.
conceived bad best take the bull by th'
horns "Mr Henry" said |, II have new
to give that will rejoice you exceedingly. In
all human likelihood your hands are clear OF
blood. reason from certain in..ces, and by
these II should appear your broeer was not
dead. but was carried in n swound on board
the hggcr BY now he may be perfectly re
covered"
What there was IN bis countenance, bcould
not read james, he asked.
"Your brother James" ! answered. 81
would not raise hope that may DO found
deceptive: but in my heart think 1t very
probable be is alive"
"Ahl, says Mr. Henry, and suddenly rising
from his seat with more alacrity than be had
vet discovered. set ono finger on my breast
and cried at me in O kind of screaming whis
per. "Mackcliar were his words
''pothing can kill that man. He is not No
tai. IIe il bound upon my back 10 all eter
nity-to all Gods eternityw says he, and
sitting down again, fell upon stubborn 81
ience.
A day or two after. with the same secret
smile, ind first looking about as II TO be sure
We we're alone. "Mackellar, "said he, when
you have any intelligence, he sure and let me
know We must keep an eye upon him, OF
he will take us when we least expect
ale will not show face hers again. said l.
"Oh. YES he will, said Mr. Henry. "Wher.
ever am, there will he be- And again hs
looked al about bin.
"You must not dsal upon this thought,
Mr. Henry" said
no" said he, THAT is very good advice.
We will never think Of it, except when you
have news. And We do not snow yet, he
added. "hc may be dead. "
The manner Of his saving this cont inced
me thoroughly OF what had scarce ventured
to suspect; that 50 far from suffering any
penitence fcT the attempt, be did but lament
lis failure This was discovery ! Kept TO
myself fearing il might do him a prejudice
with bis wife But | might have saved my
self the trouble She had OWNED IL for her
self. and found tie sentiment quite natural.
Indeed, could not but say that there were
three Of us all Of the tme mind: nor could
any news have reached Durrisde"r more
generally welcome than tidings Of the mas
tors death
This brings ne 20 speak Of the exception,
lY old lord As soon as my anxiety for my
old master began 10 be RELAXED was aware
Of a change in tie old gentleman, bis father,
that seemed 70 threaten mortal consequences.
Hs face was pale and swollen, is be sat in
the chimney side vita bis Latin be would
drop of sleeping aud the book roll in the
eshes some DAYS he would drag his foot,
others stumble IN speaking The ameniiy OF
his behavior appeared more extreme; iuil Of
excuses Tor the least trouble. very thought
ful for all. TO myself, If 4 mos; catering
c;vilitv. One day. that he had sent for his
lawyer md remained a ious while private
ne met me rs be was crossing the hall with
painful footsteps, aud took me kindly by the
hand.
"Mr Mackollar," said be, 81 have had
many occasions 20 set a proper value ON your
services: and today, when recast my will. |
have taken the freedom to name you for one
Of my executors believe you bear love
enough 10 our house TO render me this ser
vice" At that very time be passed tho
Greater portion Of bis days in sluubcr, from
which it was often difficult 10 rouse him;
seemed to have lost ell count Of years and
had several times particularly on waking
called for 'his wife Gnd for an old servant
whose very grave stone was now green with
moss. II had been pyt TO my oath, | must
have declared he was incapable Of testing;
and yet there was never viii drawn more
sensible in every trait, or showing more ex
cellcnt Judgment both Of persons and affairs
His dissolution, though il took not very
long. proceeded By infintesmal gradations
His faculties decayed together steadily, the
cover Of his limbs was almost goue. he was
..si;ms,y deaf, bis speech hGd sunk into
mere mumhhngs. and yet TO the end be man
aged 20 discover something OF his former
courtesy and kindness. pressing the hand OF
any that helped him, presenting me wsh one
of his Latin books ia which lie had labor-
ously traced my name, and in thousand
ways remindingus OF the greatness Of that
loss, which it might almost bo said We had
already suffered To the end, tho power o.
articulation returned TO him in flashes 10
seemed he had only forgotten the art Of
seech as a child forgets his lesson. and at
times he would call some part Of 1t 10 mind
On the last night Of his life he suddenly
broke silence with these words from Virgil.
"Gnatique pratisque, alma, precor, mis-
erere," perfectly uttered and with a fitting
accent. At the sudden, clear sound OF IL we
started from our several occupations but it
was in vain we turned to him; be sat there
silent and 60 all appearance fatuous. \
little later he was had 10 bed with more diff
liculty than ever before: and some time in
the night, without ary mortal violence, his
spirit fed
The death Of my old lore was the occasion
Of a fresh surprise 20 Us who watched the be-
havior Of his successor. To any considering
mind the two sons had between them slain
their father, and he who took the sword
might be even said 10 have slain him
with his hand But no such thought APP
pcared TO trouble my new lord. He was -
comingly grave | could scarce say sorrow
full or only with pleasant sorrow; talking
Of the dead with a rcgretful checrfulness, re-
ating old examples OF his character, smiling
at them with a good conscience; and, when
the day Of the funeral came round, doing the
honors with exact propriety. | could per-
ceiye, besides, that he found a solid gratiiica-
ton in his accession TO the title, the which he
was punctilious in exacting