To-morrow, please God, if I am living, I will tell
you; and you will see that I have a severer wound than good Dr. B.
knows of--one he cannot use his skillful hand upon."
"Well, thank you--I would rather wait until to-morrow. I am anxious to
get home early this afternoon."
On reaching his cot the next day, I saw Ashton was calm, but very
pale. I said:
"Do not exert yourself this morning. I can wait."
"No; sit nearer and I will tell you all."
I give it to you, dear reader, as he gave it to me:
"I told you I was by birth a Mississippian. My mother was from
Boston, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, who, failing in his
business, soon fell in ill health and died, leaving his wife and two
daughters almost entirely destitute. Mother, the youngest, was always
very fragile, and, having been reared in luxury, was poorly calculated
for a life of trial and poverty. However, she was urged by a wealthy
Southern planter to return with him to his home, and take the position
of governess to his little daughters, her friends all approving of
this offer, knowing that a Southern climate would improve her health;
so she became the inmate of Colonel Ashton's family, and soon was
beloved by the father and mother, as well as her pupils.
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