Year: 1864

The funeral rites were over, the words
that committed earth to earth, and ashes
to ashes were said we took our last look
at the oaken coffin, and then the melancholy
string of mourning coaches returned in
gloomy order to the place whence we had
set out and while so doing we will give you
short sketch of the individual for whom
these last offices had been performed. His
name was Joseph Stanley, and many years
worth, in H-shire, where, for sometime,
he had lived in a quiet and unassuming
manner in a small house, with one maid and
one man servant; but when the large hall,
with its park, and woods, and streams, was
sold, to the astonishmcnt of all the simple
villagers, Mr.. Stanley bought it, and-at once
removed there; and though his habits were
still quiet and reserved, and he entertained
but few friends, he so far extended his es-
tablishment as to keep his mansion and
grounds in perfect order Indeed ''The
Weir" as the place was called, became a
model of ncatness and beauty under his
hands.


Mr.. Stanley had a few near relatives. My
mother was distinctly connected with him,
but she knew little of his early history, ex-
cepting that he had passed some time
abroad. She and my father always paid
| ullll NlStu, DuO HCN Cl Couii pC
persuaded to return it, asserting in latter
years that he was too old to travel or leave
his own fireside To me he was always very
kind. There was always a cordial welcome
whenever l went to see him, and if it was
shooting season, guns, dogs, and keeper
were ready for my amusement; or, if in the
hunting season, capital horse; or, if was
disposed to fish, rods and flies were in read
mess for the old gentleman loved to en-
courage all kinds Of sport.


| But, kind as he was, | never held the
place in his affections that my friend Char
ley Lancewood did Perhaps, one reason
was, that Charley was more nearly related
to him, and had been, as it were, thrown
more upon his tender mercies for Charley
was the son of Il physician, who, though in
good practice, and possessing good income,
had failed to provide for the possibility of
leaving his son unprepared to take care OF
himself Charley's father was widower,
and had intended his son to succeed him ;
and it may be that he considered a good
practice sufficient; but unfortunately he
forgot that he could not secure his own life
till he had completed all he wished, and he
was taken away before Charley had finished
his medical studies, leaving barely sufficient
behind to cover all debts and expenses.


No sooner did Uncle Joseph as we called
him, hear the particulars, than he hastened
to the orphan lad, and assured him that SO
long as he needed home and help he should
find it with him. And he was as good as
his word. All that affection and wealth
could do he did cheerfully, and evidently
became much attached to his protege, so
that we all regarded Charley as the un-
doubted heir of the great wealth which I'm
Gle Joseph was supposed to. possess. Char
ley and had been great chums from early
boyhood; we were at school together, and
selected the medical profession, principally
because it enabled us still to pursue our stu
dies together. We were both only sons,
and this perhaps had been our first great
link to hold us; neither brother nor sister
interfered with our mutual confidence. =
Charley was fine, noble hearted fellow,
impulsive and rash, but warm hearted and
honorable in the extreme he shrank from
everything mean runderhanded as he would
from poison.


We had completed our medical studies,
passed our examinations with due credit,
and obtained full authority to attach all that
long string of letters to our names which
are necessary to the dignity of full blown
practitioner, when Uncle Joseph expressed
a wish that Charley should pass year in
Paris for the purpose of studying in the
medical schools there, for the old man was q
great advocate for learning all there was tc
be learned about thing and he further


more offered to pay all expenses if my. pa


rents would permit me to accompany him


This was agreed to; but our project was de-
! layed for few weeks by the sudden death
of my dear mother. | wished to abandon
the scheme altogether, as ! disliked the idea
of leaving my father; but he insisted on my
going, and invited his sister, my aunt Mar


garet, single lady, to bear him company
during my absence.


We had been in Paris about six month:
when, to our grief and surprise, VIC received
a telegram urging our immediate return, to
/, England in consequence of the sudden
/, , death of our dear old Uncle Joseph. We
started at once, and made all haste on oql
town of Charlton, the nearest station to
| svCba Wc;r ~ We wcrc met hy Mr. Mellor,