rangement that had thus
existed between the father and son, the meeting on the present occasion
was not entirely without some manifestations of feeling.

"Thou art come at last, Jack," said my ancestor; "I was afraid, boy,
thou might'st be too late."

The difficult breathing, haggard countenance, and broken utterance of my
father struck me with awe. This was the first death-bed by which I had
ever stood; and the admonishing picture of time passing into eternity
was indelibly stamped on my memory. It was not only a death-bed scene,
but it was a family death-bed scene. I know not how it was, but I
thought my ancestor looked more like the Goldencalfs than I had ever
seen him look before.

"Thou hast come at last, Jack," he repeated, "and I'm glad of it. Thou
art the only being in whom I have now any concern. It might have been
better, perhaps, had I lived more with my kind--but thou wilt be the
gainer. Ah! Jack, we are but miserable mortals after all! To be called
away so suddenly and so young!"

My ancestor had seen his seventy-fifth birthday; but unhappily he had
not settled all his accounts with the world, although he had given the
physician his last fee and sent the parson away with a donation to the
poor of the parish that would make even a beggar merry for a whole life.

"Thou art come at last, Jack! Well, my loss will be thy gain, boy! Send
the nurse from the room."

I did as commanded, and we were left to ourselves.

"Take this key," handing me one from beneath his pillow, "and open the
upper drawer of my secretary. Bring me the packet which is addressed to
thyself."

I silently obeyed; when my ancestor, first gazing at it with a sadness
that I cannot well describe--for it was neither worldly nor quite of an
ethereal character, but a singular and fearful compound of both--put the
papers into my hand, relinquishing his hold slowly and with reluctance.

"Thou wilt wait till I am out of thy sight, Jack?"

A tear burst from out its source and fell upon the emaciated hand of
my father. He looked at me wistfully, and I felt a slight pressure that
denoted affection.

"It might have been better, Jack, had we known more of each other. But
Providence made me fatherless, and I have lived childless by my own
folly. Thy mother was a saint, I believe; but I fear I learned it too
late. Well, a blessing often comes at the eleventh hour!"

As my ancestor now manifested a desire not to be disturbed, I called the
nurse