The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-01-09


throogh the sittng-room blinds. How nv
heart leaped at the sight
A sudden turn and we were going down
the lane which led 10 Mrs. Bells cottage
IL was the middle of August, yet few red
blossoms hung on the honeysuckle vines
curtainirg the door. The yard was flushed
with late flowers, while the trees we had left
in full blossom, were dropping with the
weight Of their ripened fruitage. The dri-
yer opened the door, and Mary Bell sprung
into the arms of her grandmother, crying
with joy, aud laughing because she cried
when she was so very happy. Ben came
out with his great mouth drawn to grin OF
welcome, and shouldered Mary's trunk
Seeing the handle of mine he said.
Shall take yours, Miss Sarah p
"fes, thank you" | replied, inwardly
/ haltered at the Miss, my school hoaors had
caused him 10 attach to the plain Sarah, OF
the little Sarah of former times, "Yes, thanl,
you, will walk home"
"Come in first and take some tea with
Mary" said Mrs. Bell.
"Ob, do" persuaded Mary, putting her
arm coaxingly about me.
my heart WAS painting for homel
"Thank you, but indeed ! must co."
replied, eagerly opening the gate which led
to a foot path in the meadow. Oh, how free
and happy ] was, running toward home,
my heart leaping with delight, and my
whole soul thirsting for my mothers en-
brace. Without moments pause reach
ed the garden, threw open the gate, aud
running up the gravel walk, entered the
kitchen. Betsy Johnson pushed the ca,
from her lap and was about to announce
me, but prevented her and advanced to
the sitting room. With throbbing heart |
paused at the door. They were all there,
the dear family group. There sat Try faith
er with newspaper lying by him, and his
spectoeles raised to his forehead. The rat
tie of the passing stage had disturbed him,
The sound reached my stepmothcr. She
hastily set down her stocking basket and
went eagerly to the window. For a mo-
mert all listened intensely. There was no
pause-lhe stage rolled on. My mother
turned from tue window, sorrowful and dis
appointed.
{" We shall not see Sarah tonight" she
said hooking at my father.
81 did not think we should" replied my
father, pulling down his spectacles, smoth,
ering sigh, and trying 10 look pl'losophi-
cal.
My heart wns brimmng. i sprang for
ward my mothers arms were nbou: me,
and her kisses showered over my face. She
released n,e, and there was my father with
his quiet smile and extended hand. My
brothers and sisters crowded around me
with cxpr .ssions Of welcome. There was
Hannah with her demure womaDly look of
happiness and there was Martha, dear,
blessed, little Malta, with her blue eyes n
live with JOY, her golden curls ,,.rown back,
leaping and tossing up her dimped hands,
eager to clasp them around nv neck. May
that child DC blessed, even as the sweet re-
membrance Of her loveliness now comforts
me, stranger among strangers, tbirsiIng
for the endcarmenis of parrnrs hearth
stone till my heart is fain: with The thought
That death may desolate my home, before I
again find resting place IN its BOSOM. Yet
death must fall upoc me ere my hear, ceas-
es to turn To the love aud fellowship Of kin
dred for happiness and time and change
can but deepen the yearnugs Of spirit which
will not be satisfied without it.
When the gratuatioDs Of the family had
a little subsided my mother drew her work
stand to my side. and Betsy Johnson placed
n tray of refreshments upon it. All had
been prepared previous to my arrlval-the
buttered muffin, fruit pie, sponge-cakes anG
current jelly; and the tea--rny mother made
tt knew by the first taste. could tell
her tea from that Of thousand; there was
peculiarly rich flavor to it. So told her
as she iIlled cup for me, and added just
the quantity of cream and sugar she knew
liked. 1t was delightful supper, tha, on
my mothers work table, with those most
loved smiling about me. Every thing be-
spoke affectionate attention. Even the cup
! was drinking from was Of a set of exqui-
site China sent to py mother from Europe,
highly priced and but seldom used. How
such little proofs of love warm the heart
What thrill of pleasure ran through me
as 1 knelt again Mt our family altar, aud
heard the voice Of my father 10 tbanksgiv-
ing iha, the absent one had returned, that
the family band was again unbroken Lit
tie Martha had crept tn rny side and nestled
her hand into nlne. When tears of graii-
tude aud unchecked delight sprung to my
eyes, the dear child raised her face to mine
with an expression of wonder, and pressed
her rosy lips nffectionaieiy to my hand. think
log I wanted comforting. Thot was happy
evening; shall never know another such.
Al the extremity Of our garden was
glass plat, shaded with ihictly planted
peach trees. They were 10 full bearing a nd
on the second day after our return we gath
cred around the tea table spread under their
green shelter. The sun was sinking 81" WY
10 his nest of fame, like m arcbsngel fol-
diSg hi. robes of glory about han and
spreading his pinioDs, shivering with pris-
matte plpnage, for flight from heaven.-
The west was one blaze of brilliants. The