JC
Worse than War, Worse than Pestilence.
lianity. But the greatest of these is char
ity." Excellent theory I
Though some time had elapsed since
the summons of the doorbell, and the
cold November rain was coming down in
torrents, the person outside had to wait on
the slow motions of Betsey to get her
hands out of the dish-water. What if the
person outside should oe drenched? It
was thought better than to break the mush
room rules of etiquette.
The door was opened. The clerk of
Mr. B. entered and announced the arrival
of the boat and that hissercices were im
mediately wanted. The company sudden
ly rose to their feet, and for a moment
gazed vacantly at the clerk, who stood
within Jhc open door-way.
"Well, can 1 believe!" exclaimed Mrs.
S. " Mr. Abbott has arrived, and is among
strangers in that dreary boat-house. Just
think of him arriving at night, in this
raging storm. Would it contribute to his
comfort, I'd willingly walk through the
mud and rain.
"Some conveyance must be immediate
ly provided for him," said Mr. Sherwin.
"I will procure a hack and take him
to my place," said Squire lloskon.
A hack containing Mr. Sherwin and
Squire lloskon was soon on its wny to the
wharf. Mr. Abbott, previous to their ar
rival sat by the lire in a disconsolate
mood, not noticing or being noticed by
the bustling merchants and tradesmen
The warm reception given by Mr S. and
Squire II. seemed to revive his spirits.
Mr. Abbott the next day was hospitably
entertained in the family of Squire II.
Every attention was paid him by the citi
zens and great inducements were offered
him to locate his business in the place.
Indeed, Mr Abbott entered with renewed
energy and enthusiasm in starting under
such auspices. Let us see whether these
loving friends remain constant; or, better,
whether his money becomes exhausted.
CIIAFrEIt V.
On the morning before Mr. Spark's and
Mr. Abbott's families started on their
journey north, there might have been seen,
at intervals, several well dressed women,
each followed by a negro servant canying
a reticule and ork-box,wcnding their way
towards Mr. Abbott's residence to pay tlio
family a parting visit. Let us peep into
the sitting-room and put our ear to the
underground tciegraph.
"I presume when the war has closed
you will all return to Newton," interroga
ted Mrs T.
" Yes, indeed," answered Mrs. Sparks.
" Wo would not exchange our Tennessee
for the most enchanting clime. Where
could we find a land more genial than
this."
" I am sony to say that I fear that we
shall never return," said Mrs. Abbottt,
with a troubled countenance.
"Now, Mrs. Abbott, do not speak so
hopelessly," said Mrs. T. Sympathetically.
"It would grieve us to think that we
should see the faces of your family no
more. 1 have brought over a letter just
received from Mr. Sherwin. If agreeable
I will read it."
"Yes, indeed, with the greatest pleas
ure," said Mrs. Sparks.
After rummaging through her needle
work, she produced the letter and read as
follows :
Dear Brother Tnbet :
It is great pleasure to hour from our
old homo nml iicquiiiutauclcH; ecpceliilly no, when
wo received your oftliu 8th Inst. Hut it uriuveti
us more when wo hour of your trials itnd tribuln-
tlOIIB.
In answer to our inquiry whether Brother Ab
bott and myself intend to return to tonncHNoo or
nut, I would uv that when pence In restored 1 de
sire to Mm again in Newton. Ah to Brother Ab
bott, 1 think lie hut the sumo hones: iud desires.
He often speaks of the danger of Ills dwelling and
ground being destroyed unci the o.vpuuso to re
place them. Vo often spend our ovcniifgB in dls
em-fine the project Of reconstruction. We agree
that when Blaery in abolished it will bu more
pleasant to reside in TeuuuBbou,
" There, you ser what Mr. Sherwin says
of Mr. Abbott's returning; and he is a
close observer of the affairs of the world,"
said Mrs. T.
"Yes. but lie does not see through the
same media as myself," replied Mrs. Ab
bott. "Mr. Sherwin and Mr. Sparks will
undoubtedly return but not so with us."
(to be continued.)
M
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