Year: 1865




should be against US; for it would neces
state the sale of all that remained to u.s.
and leave us a little better than beggars
1t was onr last stake, upon which all our
hopes and confidence had gradually con
centrated; and if that were lost we had
nothing more to lose-nothing but blank
despair to encounter, which we burst not
encounter


The lawyer, who at the time conducted
our suit, was an old friend of my fathers,
successful. rich. independent. and surly
and as he had undertaken the case much
more from friendly than pacuniary mo-
tives, did not attempt to disguise the truth
and probabilities from me. But | could
not, would not look forward to anything
but triumph, and chose rather to regard
his disconraging tone as one of the means
he employed TO enhance the value of his
services in achieving success. He was a
good man at heart, that old lawyer, and
his penetration was wonderful; but he
was not very apt to spoil his medicine by
oversweetening it, and my pampered pal
ate rebeled not little against its dis
gusting and unwholesome bitterness.


had long hunt after an important
female witness, whom found at last in a
g4rret. dying Of assumption. And whom
should find sitting like mnistering an
gel at her bedside. hut the beautiful black
eyed lady whom had lately met, the
companion of the little orphan grill


1t is in snch places as this, where a
good angel is most needed, and not in the
circles of gaietv and fashion, that muss
seek you | see." exclaimed |. gazing upon
her with irrepressihle admiration


The lady blnshed deeply; and as she
had recovered from her momentary con-
fusion. observed quietly that she was
simply performing duty to which an old
friend Of her mothers was fully entitled


While obtaining the deposition of her
patient. | had several opportunities of
conversng with this excellent beauty, and
har modest elegance and graceful ease
captivated my soul


One evening was permitted to accom-
pany her in search of conveyance; and
as I had resolved to express my senti-
ments freely to her on the FIRST, available
occasion. was, as usual in such cases.
much embarrassed when it presented it.
self


"Your patient is dying, I fear"


"She is conscious of the approach of
her deliverance; and as such she regards
it,"


ut is an angels Office you 6ll, in
smoothing her path to the grave"


Do not fatter me. sir. 1t is but little
I can do. and fattery seems to me to
make that little less than nothing


Il assure you I express my admiration
in most spirited terms; were ] to tell you
all think aud feel / might indeed sur
prise you'' f


Then let me entreat your forbear-
ance."


"It is unkind, not to say harsh, in you
to forbid the utteraace of heart SO sin
cere and full as mine"


1T is my kindness. my consideration
for you that induces me to check this ex-
cessive language. because know you will
repent it."


Impossible! not only admire you
more than any being that ever saw, but
| feel that you are worthy of my worship
and that love you y


"Ssy no more, entreat. II you know
who and what am, you would confess
the folly of which you are guilty. You
tell me you are unfortunate and unhappy;
I pity ycn-but there is gulf between
us, and you would only render yourself
more wretched by attempting blindly and
rash!y to cross it,"


Are you married ?"


do not ask. Here let our acquaint-
ance cease. You have no more occasion
to visit my patient; and you surely would
not deprive her of the presence of her
last remaining friend, as You will do so if
you still persist in intrudng upon her.
Here let us part and forever"


She stopped cab. allowed me to help
her into it, aud left me in my mystery and
gloom. She had crossed my dark path
like heavenly apparition; and her dis
appearance rendered everything about
me hopeless and dreary as despair.





The treacherous law, after having lured
US on to ruin, decided against our claims.
and extorted the last remnant of our
property to pay the costs. 10 communi
cate this TACT to my mother would have
been Ike inficting her death blow; and
after meditating upon the subject, l found
myself unequal to the painful task, and !
went once more to our old lawyer to as
certain whether there was no possibility
Of compromising the matter SO as to post
pone the evil day, and leave my mother
awhile 10 possession Of her home and
comforts


l met lady descending the stairs, who
had just come out of his Office. whose
pbysiognomy was Of that unusually re-
pulsive character which imprints indelibly
upon the memory, and ever after in
dreams and reveries, in sleep and wake
fulness, rises from time to time to our
mental vision with horrible distinctness,
shocking US with the fullest sense Of the
dread ugliness Of human malformation l