Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-08-22

/ e
man had taken part in active life at
nome, and possibly might have been
eager to share his rewards: but in lat
ter days he did not seem to care for
them. A something had occurred in
his life, which had cast a Jingle of
melancholy over al his existence.
He was not unhappy-to those
about him most kind-mcst affection
ate, obsequious even to the women of
his family, whom he scarce ever con-
, tradicted; but there had been some
bankruptcy of his heart. which his
spirit never recovered. He submitted
to life, rather than enjoyed it, and
never was in better spirits than in
his last hours when he was going to
lay it down.
When the boys grandfather died
/, their mother, in great state, pro
claimed her eldest son George her
successor and heir of the estate; and
Harry, Georges younger brother by
half an hour, was always enjoined to
respect his senior. All the house
hold was equally instructed TO pay
him honor; the negroes, CT whom
there was large and happy family,
and the assigned servants from Eu-
rope, whose lot was made as bearable
as might be under the government of
the lady of Cast,ewood
In the whole family there was
scarcely rebel save Mrs. Esmond's
faithful friend and companion, Madam
Mountain, and Harry's foster-mother,
a faithful negro woman, who never
could be made to understand why her
child should not be first, who was
handsomer and stronger and more
clever than his brother, as she vowed;
though, in truth. there was scarcely
any difference in the beauty. strength
or stature OF the twins.
In disposition they were in many
points exceedingly unlike; but in
features they resembled each other so
closely that, but for the co,or of their
hair, it had been difficult to distin-
guish them. In their beds, and when
their heads We're covered with those
vast, ribboned nightcaps which our
great and little ancestors wore, it was
scarcely possible for anyone but a
nurse or mother to tell the one from
the other child. y
Howbeit, alike in form, we have
said they differed in temper. The
elder was peaceful, studious and ST
lent; the younger was warlike and
noisy. He was quick at learning
when he began, and very sow at be-
ginning. No threats of the ferrule
would provoke Harry to learn in an
idle fit, or would prevent George from
helping his brother in his lesson.
Harry was of strong military turn,
drilled the little negroes on the estate,
and caned them like a corporal, hav-
ing many good boxing matches with
them, and never bearing malice if he
was worsted; whereas George was
sparing of his blows and gentle with
all about him.
AS the custom in all the fam lies
was, each of the boys had a special
little servant assigned him; and it
was known fact that George, find
ing his little wretch of a blackamoor
asleep in his masters bed, sat down
beside it and brushed the flies off the
child with feather fan, to the horror
of cd Gumbo, the child's father, who
found his young master so engaged
and to the indignation of Madam Es-
mond, who ordered the young negro
off to the proper officer for a whipping.
In vain George implored and entreat-
ed, burst into passionate tears, and
besought a remission of the sen
tence. His mother was infiexible re-
garding the young rebels punishment,
and the little negro went off beseech
ing his young master not to cry.
/ On account of certain apish dro,l-
cry and humor which exhibited itself
in the lad and liking for some of
the old mans pursuits, the first of the
twins was the grandfathers favorite
and companion, and would laugh and
talk out his infantile heart to the cd
gentleman, to whom the younger had
seldom a word to say.
George was a demure, studious boy,
and his senses seemed to brighten up
in the library, where his brother was
so gloomy. He knew the books before
he could well-nigh carry them, and
read in them long before he could
understand them. Harry, on the other
hand, was all alive in the stables or in
the woods, eager for all parties of
hunting and fishing, and promised to
be a good sportsman from a very
early age.