Year: 1867

Conclusion.


"The blow was all the more unex-
pected to Anna because her father had
always treated her with the greatest af-
fection in spite Of all his governesses.
The strangest thing of all was that
Abram gave no reason for his prohibi-
bition. He did not even hint a. one.
How the beautiful couple took it at
first, of course / never knew. One
strange thing was that Abner Charel
went on Immediately to New York. Ot
course. every one thought it was TO
meet Abram Lot, and to talk the mat
ter quietly over with him. He never
come back again.


"Who went Not Abner You don't
mean that Abner never come back ~


"Now, just yen wait, am coming to
that. He never came back, leastways
for long time. Abram Lot Tturned
to Bleaberry alone. Whether he and
Abner had met in New York, of course,
the gossips never knew. But l knew
that they did, and the result was that
during Abram Lots lifetime Abner
Charcl never showed himself in Blea-
berry again. Abram was much changed
was much balder, barefooted on the
top of his head, the folks round here
used to call him, and had a singu-
lar look, which had remained with him
ever since his recovery from catalepsy.
He had ever after that kind of horri-
fed look man might be supposed to
get from having just escaped being
buried alive. OF course, Anna was
glad enough to see her father, although
| he had come to spoil one of the happiest
weddings which l am sure ever took
place, or, at least, was ever about to
take place, for this one didn't come off.


Directly knew the facts of the case,
and that Abram had positively forbid
den Anna to marry Abner Charel under
any conditions whatsoever. l knew
that time was come when Annals char
acter was to be thoroughly tested.
felt pretty sure Of two things-that she
never would marry without her fathers
consent (for her obedience as daugh-
ter was perfection itself,) and that she
never would desert, in thought, word,
or deed, Abner Charel. She was girl,
nv dear, who loved always when she
loved once. She would never have
married, except for love, and when she
had married, believe there is not u
crime that can be named or conceived
of among men that would have sepa-
rated her from her husband. Poor, dear
girl. / remember it all just as If II
was yesterday"


Here my aunt paused to wipe teal
from one of her knitting needles, and
then proceeded.


"From the day of Abram Lots return
there was great change came over the
people of Bleaberry Hall. 1t was not
one of those changes which come grad
ually, neither; it came all at once
Abram Lot had been n sociable man.
but, from the day of his return, lie be.
came morosa and gloomy. He used to
be regular attendant at church. Not
this: oh, no! that was some time after
Now he never went. Every little now
and then he used ito give parties and
companies to the young folks. Now he
never did. He even forgot to take al
interest in his farm. Such a beautiful
lawn rs he used to have-and three
months after he came back it was com
pletely choked up and overgrown with
clover and wild carrots! Such pigs ant
poultry as he used to have, my dear
And no wonder, for he used to feed hi:
pigs on peaches and buttermilk. All ht
did now was just to shut himself up il
the old rooms and let the pigs and poul
try and kitchen and garden take care O
themselves. verify believe he allowed
the housekeeper to sell all the butter
milk at four cents quart for pin money
and, by the quantity of peach brandy
he drank, he might have thought ht
turned all his peaches into brandy. HI
had never been a drinking man, my
dear, bat this was one of his old south
ern habits Che came from the South that
clung to him. Peach brandy and honey
peach and honey he used to call it
used to be his favorite drink. never
called at the Hall but found him sip
ping his peach and honey, and telling
me what splendid times he used to have
when younger, and in that paradise O
the world, Bunkum County, North Car
olina. where his family came from.


"Well, things went on about the same
FROM year to year, and it wasn't hard Il
see that poor Anna Lot was slowly pin
ing away. She was girl of great goeC
sense, and with stronger control Owe
her feelings than you usually find il
people of such warm and affectionat,
and true dispositions. Her honesty o
disposition she inherited from her father
for / ,ciu say that for Abram Lot, tha
he was the honestest of men in his deal
ings that ever came into the createC
world. The strong point in Abram Lo
was his honesty and his love of honesty
and it was almost so strong with him g.
TO become a weakness, for he had NJ
charity for others who were not as scru
pulous as himself.


"When fve years had passed, and mo-
n word of correspondence had ever takel
place between the lovers, we had new
minister at Bleaberry-a very smar
young man. One Sunday Abram Lo
was pursuaded to GO and hear him. HI
took great fancy to him; invited hin
to the Hall, and got, by degrees, as in
innate with him as Abram Lot coul,
become with any man whom he locke,
upon as possible son-in-law. Tha
, twas what Abram Lot was after. We al
saw it at once. He was getting omit
! feeble by this time, and it was Iiatura
be should want 70 see Anna marie,
land settled for 1ife. But that was no
TO be, and in this one instance, the frs