Worso than War, Worse than Pestilence
15
u.
remembering Hint
"Thu spirit wnlkfl of ench dupnrtcd hour,
And smlluH an iingul, or n Airy frowiih."
C. M.
Worse than War, Worse Hum.
Pestilence.
CIIAIITEIt III (concluded.)
Just previous to this sudden intemip.
tlon from the person across the way the
countenance of Mr. Abbott presented a
tranquil and pleasing appearance. Mr.
Abbott had just entered the stage, and
Mrs. Abbott stood at the open doorway of
the vehicle, imparling' wouls of consola
tion, enlivening the present, o'orshad.
owed with gloom, and holding out the
future, as wo look forward in tho dreary
chills of winter to the balmy days of
spring. It was thus that Mr. Abbott had
been helped in keeping alive his courage
and fortitude. Hut at the moment that
Mrs. T appeared at the open win.
dow across the way, Mrs. Abbott's counte
nance suddenly changed from a hopeful
to a lurid and troubled expression,
"When the parting scene was ended, and
tho driver about to put tho whip to the
horses, there was seen through tho dim
twilight, of morning tho form of a man,
rushing frantically down the street in his
bare head, heralding tho news of a victory
won by the oonl'c'derato army. When this
wildlv excited person eyed the departing
stage he shouted in threatening and aim
sivo language after Mr. Abbott. In his
turbulent spirit he drew a concealed weap
on and llred after tho Preceding vehicle.
The stage was safely outof reach, but the
occurrence caused great excitement among
tho group that had just stood at the stage
door. Uncle Hen fell upon his knees
and oxclnimed, with uplifted hands, "Oh!
do good Lord In do heavens save our mas.
sa I " Tho loud shrieking of Aunt Betsy,
mingled witli the faint screams of. Mrs.
T , were very doleful to tho car.
Even Mr. Sparks turned pale and nerv
ous. Hut Mrs. Abbott stood motionless
and serene with the two affrighted chil
dren clinging to hor waist, n though she
were meditating tho siege of Gibraltar.
Could wo have read her thoughts, we
would have found ihat there was some
thing in her mind that weighed heavily
against tho effects of this startling scene.
This ultimate calamity, unseen by others,
but plainly seen by Mrs. Abbott, absorbed
her mind to such a degree, that she barely
saw that her husband's life was endan
gered. AVo little heed our troubles, save
when wc have no greater ones.
. After tho party had retraced their steps
to the dwelling, tho Newfound land house
dog, as though he augured tho future ca
lamity of his master, lingered at its gate,
dolefully whining the departure of his
friends.
"That was a pretty livery drive," said
tho stageman to Mr. Abbott, after ho had
got outsldo of tho stage beside the driver.
As Mr. Abbott was the only passenger, he
preferred tho outside for tho sake of com
pany and that he might receive tho morn
ing breeze.
"Yes," replied Mr. Abbott.- "My life
has been In great jeopardy for some time.
Though I myself have safely escaped, I
feel greatly troubled about my family."
"There," said Mr, A'jlntt, as the stage
turned tho corner, on tho brink of tho riv
er, and pointing to a boat that lay moored
to tho bank, in tho placid stream below,
"There is our pleasure boat that tho chil
dren have named the 'Swan.' Many are
tho pleasant hours wo have had on tho rlv
or In that boat. Hut I fear we no. more
shall sail that noble stream."
As they reached the top of an elevated
blurt", Mr. Abbott turned to the left to look
at tho village, as it lay gently nestled in
tho valloy below.
"There is the most beautiful scene on
tho American continent," snld Mr. Abbott,
pointing to tho village illuminated with
tho morning sunbeams. As tho sun cast
its rays aslant on the pinnacles of the
steeples, their silvery balls looked like