The Press., 1894-06-14

 and worry of the legislature have so wea- ried you that you are already quite sick. We can t let you go there any more. /"
 1T shall go there no more, my daugh- ter, 7 responded the judge wearily. Then he remarked to his wife, Have supper served at once, my dear.
 He seemed so feeble and exhausted all the evening that Mrs. Hathaway re- trained from questioning him about the doings of the legislature, as was her usual custom on his return. The next morning, however, heseemed more like himself, but immediately after break fast retired to his library and remained alone for some hours.
 After dinner he joined the family on the broad yeranda and sat for some time looking off toward the bay, whose danc- ing waters were plainly visible here and there through the trees, apparently lost in thought Finally he called Hilda to his side. and stroking her waving hair with his hand, as he had habit of do ing when she was beside him, he said with an intense tremulousness in his tones:
 
 have much to say to you, but my heart has been too full to speak. Three days ago our joint legislature by an over whelming majority voted to call the convention, and there is no doubt that the ordinance of secession will be passed. Before another spring some of the ether states will have followed this example. and can see that the inevita- ble result will be a long and disastrous civil war; .e. He paused for moment, overcome by his excessive agitation, and his wife hastened to say soothingly:
 1T wouldn't worry about it, judge. There will be some way of compromise arranged to prevent bloodshed. Would to God that I could so be- lieve," exclaimed the judge fervently, "but knowing the temper of both the north and the south as I do, can see that the secession of the southern states from the Union will precipitate civil strife upon us which will only cease | with the emancipation of the slaves and 1 the complete exhaustion of the southern resources. ....
 l the end of the conflict; possibly shall not live to see it begun, for have a strange feeling that my days are speed | fly to be mum bered. wish therefore to tell you now that it is my desire to have you refrain from assisting the struggle so far as that may be practica- ble; also desire you to liberate the slaves at the first moment consistent | with their welfare. and tell Ralph, when he shall come home, to remain with the Union. I have already written him to this effect, but he may possibly be or dered home before my letter reaches him. I have labored as best could to avert this contest, but have failed, and now the responsibility for it rests in other hands,"
 For some time longer Judge Hatha- | way continued to speak of the conse- quences likely to follow from a civil strife; then he returned to his library. Some hours later on seeking the reason for his prolonged absence from the fam fly circle they found him dead in his chair. A smile rested upon the silent lips, and apparently without struggle ! ue Adu pdSSeu HUH Cu0 SC6Aeo Ol ouA- iety and trial to those of eternal peace and rest. This conversation and death l are not imaginary, but are related here substantially as they occurred. @- The prophecy of Judge Hathaway, | improbable as it may then have seemed, | is now matter of history. With the | spring of 1861, hostilities were begun, | to be continued for four long years. Fortunately for the lonely and be- | reaved women, Oak Bluffs was situated | for time considerable distance from | the scene of actual conflict, and had their anxious suspense concerning the whereabouts of Lieutenant Gasque only been relieved thelr position would not have been altogether unbearable. Once indeed they had heard from him since the death of Judge Hathaway; he was about to sail for home. From that time, however, no message from him reached them, and they could only con- | lecture that every attempt on his part | to communicate with them had failed.
 The summer and autumn slowly passed away. A few of the household servants still remained with the fam fly, and though they necessarily suffered many deprivations they were far from actual want. No warfare had as yet 1 occurred in their immediate neighbor- hood, and the worst they could com- plain of in their situation was a con- plete ostracism on the part of their for mer friends.
 With the new year, however, came a change. A fertilization was thrown up at the mouth of the river, which emp tied into the bay few miles to the north detachment of soldiers was sent down to garrison it, and a regular pa- trol was established along the shores of the inlet.
 | The reason for this change was at l once apparent. For some months the Confederates had been using the river and bay on account of their secluded l position as shipping station. Gotten | was hoated down the river on fatboats | and oyer the bar to the mouth of the | inlet. Here, under the cover of the | night, it was transferred to steamers in waiting and carried to foreign ports. Suspicious of this traffic had reached | the Federal government, and an armed l cutter was Q1Spatched to place the bay under blockade. The arrival of the cut ter caused the military operations and activity on the part of the enemy. | One of the servants at Oak Bluffs, Tobe, or, as he was commonly called, Uncle Toby, had discovered the vessel almost as soon as she appeared off the harbor and reported her arrival to the ladies at the mansion house. Hoping to learn at least where her nephew, Lieutenant Gasque, was stationed, Mrs. Hathaway directed Uncle Toby to watch 1 for an opportunity to visit the cutter.
 After consldera ble search Tobe found a place below the bluffs where the pick cts were not on guard. Possibly pick ct had been stationed there, but left to l his own devices he had preferred the 1 higher ground a short distance above, | ,h T.;