Graham's Magazine, Vol. XVIII, No. 4, April 1841Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XVIII, No. 4, April 1841
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
The poor woman gave one shriek and fell on the floor. Down went the wood
on the hearth, and the stranger flew to her assistance. Slowly she
regained her senses, and when she did so, she threw herself in the arms
of the new comer and wept aloud. We all crowded around, eager for an
explanation. It was soon given. James Lee, distressed by poverty, and
worn by the fretful temper of his wife, had, on the memorable morning of
his disappearance—on the impulse of the moment, resolved to quit his
home and seek his fortune in a foreign clime. For this act, his only
apology was the bitterness of despair. He sought the nearest port, and
embarked as a common sailor on board a vessel about sailing to the
West-Indies. Changing his name that he might not be traced, he made
himself useful, and became a favorite with his captain: was generally
esteemed, and by degrees enabled to traffic a little on his own account.
He had made many voyages and been unusually successful. He had acquired
a snug competence with which he now returned, for the purpose of
enjoying it in the bosom of his family. As he approached his home, the
recollection of the manner in which he had left it suddenly occurred to
him, and when Bill opened the door, the thought struck him that he would
go to the wood-pile, fill his arms with wood, and thus bring to his
wife’s mind, for the joke’s sake, the remembrance of their parting
scene, seven years before.
When he had concluded, and we had offered our congratulations on this
happy event, a shrill voice was heard to exclaim,
“Didn’t I tell you so—didn’t I say you were going to be married, Miss
Lee—hasn’t everything I said come to pass—didn’t I tell you?”—
“Yes, yes,” said Mrs. Lee, smiling, “you told me, as you tell others of
things to happen which you take good care to find out before-hand.”
Betty looked rather blank when she found that no credit was allowed her
for her skill in prescience, more especially as “Our Bill” in the pride
and fullness of his heart unfolded the secret of his numerous
expeditions to the wood. Here at Goodwin’s farm which was in the
immediate neighborhood, Lee had remained for a few days till the
harmless plot which he laid in conjunction with the young man was ripe
for development, and his wife had given her consent to his daughter’s
marriage with “Siah.” It is scarcely necessary to say that Bill had met
and recognised his father—been made privy to his and Goodwin’s scheme,
and in short, been active agent in the whole affair.
Several years have passed since that period. William Lee has grown to
man’s estate. He is married and has a snug little home of his own. He is
a carpenter by trade, and fills a respectable station in the community
of which he is a member.
For my own part, I love to think over the past, for many a pleasing idea
is connected with the reminiscences of “Huckle-berry” wood, and “Our
Bill.”
* * * * *
A SLIGHTED WOMAN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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