The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-03-24
Original Story,
ESTHER sToCKTON'S EASTER.
Written for the Democratic Advocate,
BY WILBUR f. ROCKINGHAM.
CHAPTER l.

CHAPTER |.
The hot July sun is fast sinking behind
the hills which skirt the edge of the little
town of Rockport. The day has been one
of those ideal ones for which this summer
month is noted And as the last rays Of
the setting sun fade from view the sky is
illuminated with the pale blue and golden
tinted clouds as they swiftly pass into the
oblivion prepared for them by the approach
of night. As the shades of evening ad-
vance and the air, which during the day
had been oppressive in the extreme, grad
ually becomes cooler, the heat Is lost to
sight in the enjoyment of the refreshing
evening zephyrs. A look at the eastern
skies soon reveals the clear light of the
full moon, as it slowly rises from behind
the treetops and Eepds its way toward the
zenith. Its bright light falls athwaFt the
leafy branches of the trees and'togches here
and there bright.hued flower, hidden
from view but for the moonbeam's light.
Calm and peaceful is the scene and the
labors of the day are forgotten as night
clothed in all the beauty which nature can
afford-settles down over the town and
its surroundings.
The little clock upon the steeple of the
only church within the towns borders
rings out in clear tones the hour of nine.
Its echo has scarce died away when from
the by-road leading to the public highway
from farmhouse near its suburbs form
cmerges into sight and slowly passes along
the otherwise deserted road. With hands
thrust deep into his pockets and head
slightly bent he pursues his way, seemingly
unconscious of the surroundings. His
form is comely and from the crown of his
well formed head, covered with suit of
Jet black and curly hair, to the soles of his
feet he presents an appearance of neatness.
The moons silvery light falls upon his face
as he walks and reveals picture of health
and beauty. As he saunters toward his
destination he lifts his eyes and cages at
the many stars which sparkle and twinkle
in their respective places. As he does so
the soul of the man shines out through the
depths of the piercing blackness of which
they are formed. Altogether, the atten-
ton of anyone would have been fixed upon
so handsome man as Albert Rutherford
Though left an orphan at the age of
twelve yet did he possess those noble
traits which had been so strikingly pre-
sented to him by his godly mother. All
the early training with which his young
life had been so fully blessed formed within
him heart of true and altogether manly
principles. And, though the bereavement
which he was compelled to bear in the
death of his mother, only few years after
his father had passed away, bore heavily
upon him and gave to his face stern
aspect, yet within the recesses Of his heart
burned fire whose brightness was reflected
from his eyes, After the death Of bis
parents, having been left but little with
which to start in life, he secured place
with one of the neighboring farmers and
had continued to work with him until the
present time. The years have slowly passed
and as he strolls forth tonighthis thoughts
are busy with the fact that his twenty |