tears, and is ever held sacred by those who have been called to partake deeply of the cup of trial! Yes, Sympathy shall bless, when even All earth's joys have passed away; Through eternal, blissful day! The sorrow expressed by the many friends who visited this house of mourning, was very great. Many felt that in the sudden removal of Mr. Weldron, themselves, as well as his family, had sustained a loss that could not easily be repaired. Among the number of such was the individual who rode to M- with the deceased. This person lived only a short distance from the residence of Mr. Weldron, and often went in and spent much time in looking upon his remains. As no one but this gentleman, whose name was Lyman, was with him at the time he fell from his horse, and as there was a bruise discovered upon his back, it was conjectured by some that Mr. Lyman had given him a blow that caused him to fall, without his horse's having stumbled, as this person had affirmed. That individual related the circumstances of his death as having occurred in the following manner; but as he was a man who accustomed himself to partake rather freely of ardent spirits, his testimony was considered doubtful. Mr. Lyman said, that when Mr. Weldron and himself were returning to Brookfield, he proposed stopping at a public house, according to the prevalent custom in those days, to procure something to drink, as the night was intensely cold. Mr. Weldron declined accepting the pro posal, and when they had reached the inn, sat upon his horse while Mr. Lyman went into the bar-room. After waiting some time, Mr. Weldron rode slowly along, and when his companion came out of the tavern he felt a little disappointed on finding he had been left. He immediately put spurs to his horse, in hopes of overtaking him, and had almost reached him, when he saw Mr. Weldron thrown from his horse. Mr. Lyman sprang in an instant to his assistance-he spoke to him, but received no answer. He then attempted to raise him from the ground, and on doing so perceived that his head was bleeding profusely, from a wound which must have been made by a sharp stone upon which his head had struck. Blood was to be seen upon the stone, a part of which was covered with snow, and his friends would have rejoiced to know that he had received no blow from Mr. Lyman. Still they felt that if it was through the agency of rum this heavy stroke had fallen upon them, they could not but pity the individual who was so unwise as to be deceived by the subtle power of this insidious foe. The time that elapsed ere the beloved remains of Mr. Weldron were to be removed from the sight of his bereaved circle at home, seemed short; and when the day appointed for the funeral arrived, the children felt that they could not endure to have him carried from the house. This was a day long to be remembered in Brookfield. The church in which the funeral exercises were held was crowded at an early hour, and it was impossible for many to be gratified who were anxious to look for the last time. at the benign countenance with which they had long been familiar. Many were the encomiums pronounced upon the character of the deceased, by the crowd that stood assembled, many of whom strove in vain to hear the excellent and appropriate discourse, as it fell from the lips of the reverend clergyman. Few that did hear it, but were affected to tears. 6 The words selected for the occasion were those addressed by David to Jonathan, when he said, Truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.' Much, very much, was said of the universal benevolence of Mr. Weldron, by all; and the remark that 'The poor in Brookfield had lost their friend,' was often made. There was much ground for such an assertion; and when his clay-cold body was deposited in its last resting-place, and the long procession of weeping relatives and friends turned from the grave to go to their homes, a solemn stillness pervaded the mourning concourse which strongly bespoke the feelings with which they had regarded the deceased. Many sympathizing friends accompanied the family to their now lonely dwelling, some of whom remained several days, to cheer, if possible, the sorrowing ones. . CHAPTER III. Loss of Property — Anna Abroad Unhappy Union-Removal. WHEN the time arrived that the members of this afflicted family were left with only their own number seated around the table, and the seat vacant which had been occupied by the beloved friend who had been so unexpectedly snatched from them, they felt more acutely than ever their sore bereavement. Anna, who had received the kindest and most indulgent treatment from her father, now mourned in view of the want of sympathy she experienced from her mother. She felt that her best friend was indeed torn from herthat he who would ever carefully hide her faults, and sympathize in all her youthful trials, was forever hid from her too fond gaze. 'O,' said she, one day, to a friend,' could you but know with what strong affection I have regarded my dear, dear father, you could better understand my feelings since his death: I loved him but too well.' Anna realized that she had been guilty of idolizing her departed parent, and her heart was ready to adopt the repining sentiment expressed by the poet, who says, 'I never loved a tree or flower But 't was the first to fade away.' This severe affliction affected the health of this hitherto delicate girl, and she really needed the tenderest care and sympathy of her mother; yet strange as it may appear, that mother understood not the disposition of her daughter; she imputed most of her dejection of mind to oddity and ill-humor. As Mrs. Weldron made no exertion to gain the confidence of Anna, it is not a matter of surprise that she did not possess it; neither is it strange that her young heart longed to confide its sorrows to some friend who could understand her disposition and character. Such a friend she found in her maternal grandmother, for Mrs. Hamlin saw with pain the indifference with which her daughter regarded the early sorrows of Anna, and was led by feelings of justice and pity to endeavor to be a mother to her grand-daughter. Unexpected and bitter trials still awaited this family ; trials, too, of which they never before had dreamed. We have said that Mr. Weldron possessed an abundance of wealth; such was the fact at the time of his death. He had, however, been in the habit, as most merchants are, of endorsing notes to oblige those who wished to obtain credit, and often to enable such to procure large sums of money, as his signature was ever considered a sufficient guaranty for safety. A short time before he died, he laid himself liable, in this manner, for about seventy thousand dollars. In performing these friendly acts, it never occurred to this noblespirited man that he might be doing wrong to his own dear family; for he felt perfect confidence in the integrity of those he was willing to assist. Yet in doing so he was |