The Brother Clerks | Page 4

Xariffa
would brighten when he drew near, and whose lips murmured,
for their first word, "Arty."
Arthur had attained his sixth year when his brother was born; and when
time had written Guly a schoolboy, the closest affection united the
children, notwithstanding the difference in their years and disposition.
Guly, as he was called, though of a cheerful disposition, never
displayed that sprightliness and vivacity which characterized Arthur.

Even in his merriest moments, a thoughtfulness mingled with his mirth,
which rendered him ever attentive to the comfort of others.
There was an attraction about the child which won all hearts--a natural
grace and refinement of manner, mingled with a presence whose
influence was always for good. With the tattered beggar he came in
contact kindly, pressing into his tawny hands the alms he had to give,
while Arthur, though equally generous, spoiled his gift by the manner
in which it was bestowed, tossing his gold contemptuously at the weary
feet of those who asked it, and turning carelessly away. Too early had
he learned the power of that wealth to which he might one day becomes
the joint heir with his brother, and his pride, perhaps, was censured
more than he deserved.
His love for his mother and brother were strong redeeming traits in that
self-willed nature, and toward those two beings he ever exercised a
lofty and ennobling forbearance. Throughout their school-days he
assumed the part of defender and protector toward his younger
companion, and if a slur was ever cast upon Guly's meekness, or a taunt
uttered at his almost girlish beauty, an earnest champion was ever at his
side to adopt his cause, and give the lie to those who dared thus to
speak; and Guly in return looked up to Arthur as one brave and manly
in all things, a superior both in mind and body; little dreaming of the
hour when their stations should seem changed, and he assume the part
of guide and guardian over his brother.
Colonel Pratt was desirous that both his children should choose a
profession. But Arthur impatiently expressed his distaste for such a
course, preferring the busy hum of mercantile life, to the long study
necessary to fit him for a profession. Consequently, after having
received a good school education, he was placed in his father's store,
there to become acquainted with the business under the immediate care
and supervision of his doting parent. Gulian at this time was still at
school, the same gentle-souled, spiritual-looking boy; who perhaps
more than Arthur had wound himself round the fond heart of his
mother, and who seemed to love her presence, and cherish her affection,
with a depth of feeling unusual in boys of his age.

One morning, late in August, as Colonel Pratt was about to proceed to
the city, his wife observed him wandering over the house and grounds
with an air of thoughtfulness amounting even to dejection. Astonished
at this in one usually so cheerful-hearted, she joined him, and anxiously
inquired the cause.
"I have suffered for several days from this same depression of spirits,"
he answered, with a faint attempt to smile. "Perhaps some wise
sightseer might declare it a presentiment of coming evil, but it is no
doubt the mere effect of a slight indisposition, occasioned by the
extreme heat and application to business."
"Stay at home with me to-day, Arthur!" said his wife, earnestly, reading
beneath his attempts to treat the matter lightly a seriousness which he
had striven to conceal.
"Nay, my wife," he answered, "it would but seem that I yielded to a
superstitious dread. It will all be right to-morrow."
Seeing the boat drawing near, the fond husband bade his wife an
affectionate farewell, and hurried to the wharf. She saw him safely on
board, and watched the steamer till out of sight.
In life she never saw that husband more. The boat in which he returned
was the ill-fated "Empire," which was sunk near Newburgh, and he was
among those who perished. The corpse of Colonel Pratt was not
discovered until two days had elapsed, and immediate burial was
necessary upon the arrival of the body at that dear home whence he had
so lately departed. This blow was so severe to his wife, that for several
weeks her reason deserted her, in an attack of long-continued illness.
She recovered, only to learn, that extensive speculations, whose
prospect of certain success had induced Colonel Pratt to invest very
nearly the whole of his fortune, had proved an utter failure, and that she
and her children were destitute.
Here was something which called forth all her energies, and for her
children's sake she nerved herself to action. Their beautiful home, the
scene of so much happiness, passed into strangers' hands. Horses and

carriage, and even Mrs.
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