Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-04-23
S elect Tales.
From Graham's Magazine for .4p'4l
THE STOLEN MANUSCRIPT,
CHAPTER /.
BY MRS. CAROLINE II. BUTLER,

the cup of sorrow, for she had scarcely reached
her third year when death deprived her of kind
affectionate mother. True, she was not old e.
nough to realize the irreparable loss she had
sustained but ShenceGorth tears rather than
smiles we're to be the portion Of the little one
She could only understand that something very, |
very sad had happened saw her fathers
tears. and the afflicted looks Of the household, |
and so little Ethel screamed and cried in an ag-
ony of sympathetic grief.
Hark! the solemn tolling Of the bell! The
mourners, one by one, in sable garments, come
forward and gaze for the last time upon the pa-
cid countenance of the dead, then turn sobbng
away, for no more on earth will they behold her
who was so dear to them-the daughter, sister,
friend The villagers with saddened looks,
crowd around She was an angel' whispers
ONE Poor thing, called so soon away' says
another Wo's mel signs an old woman, 'bet-
ter so than to stay in world of sorrow and dis
appointment But now the coffin is closed, and
then the funeral train silently and sadly pass
over the village green, and through the wind
ing grove leading to the narrow house appointed
for all the living, and the remains of Mrs, Wal
singham are consigned to the family vault.
The disconsolate widower shuts himself up
in his lonely chamber to dwell upon her whose
lJss has made life desert-she was his first, his
only love! Can he ever forget her-never! nev-
er! No, dearest Emily, thou angel now in
heaven, henceforth devote myself to our sweet
child and to thee | will strive to make her as
amiabIe as thou wert-and when | see her infant
graces assimilating more and more to thine, |
will think that in her. my Emily lives again. -
Alas poor human nature.
Ere twelvemonth has passed away an unu-
sua hustle pervades the late house of mourning,
The housekeeper wears sour look, and as she
hounces from room to room, talks about cruel
step-dames,' and unruly young wlves'-the
maids toss their heads, smiling at one another
at these remarks, for perhaps Goody Crisp has
been a hard task mistress, and the gardener
drops tear as he freshly trims the rose bushes,
aid trails the honey-suckle anew, which she had
planted Little did think the bonuiest flower
Of a would haze been trampled upon sac soon,
and it nae wthered yet in its cauld bed,' quoth
the honest Scotchman. In all this hustle dear
little Ethel, disregarded and alone, sits in her
room with her dolls and her toy-books But at
length innovation extends even to this neglected
spot Nanny hastily enters-the little mourning
slip of Ethel is removed, and her dark auburn
hair curled with all the skill Nanny can COM
mand, and then arrayed in white muslin with
pink sash and shoulder knots, the tlmid child is
led to the paror to welcome her new MAMA
the young bride of her father
There she sits, the fair Mrs Walsingham-
all smiles and bushes. Eyes of melting blue rest
languishingly upon those of her lover-husband-
lips of coral breathe words of sweetness, one
small white hand is nestled amid the dark locks
which cluster around the brow of the bride
groom, while the other casped in his lies next
his heart.
Heavens, what little angel screams the
bride
% Harry, you did not tell me one half her
loneliness. Come sit on my lap, sweetest pet
come little dear-wont you love your ma
mar
Ethel does love mama-poor mama, lisped
the child
4iIuC OhClu'j DuC yOu IhuoI HOC Odll HlC
poor ma'ma-mama is very happy to have
such sweet little darling as you are to
love.
My mama is happy too-for she is up in
the beautiful heavens, and then when | fall
asleep, SO sound that nobody can awake me
but God, l shall go to heaven too and see dear
mama
But this pretty lady is your ma'ma,' said
Mr.. Walsngham.
20, did you come down from heavenP cried
Ethel, springing from her lap, and cIapping her
hands for joy; ARE you really, really my own
dear mama come backl Then gazing mo-
ment earnestly in her face, she said But ma
ma was very pale, and your cheeks are Just the
color of my new ribbons-and all poor mama's
hair was combed back, so, and put under an
ugly cap, and yours curs pretter than mine,
don't it papa? but maybe they changed you in
heaven
what an angel she is, again exclaimed the
bride, catching her in her arms and kissing her
while Mr.. Walsingham bestowing his caresses
on both dear objects of his love, feels his cup of
happiness needs no browning bead
CHAPTER H.
The illusion which love, youth and beauty
lends tie fair Mrs. Walsingham in the eyes Of
her husband are not dispeled in moment
No, tits the little Ethel who, young as she is,
first discovers the honeyed words of mama, To-
sing their sweetness, and her artless caresses
repulsed, or at best received with listless indif
ference.
But am great girl now, mama says,
would she exclaim, as if striving to excuse the
neglect, so that must be the reason she does not
kiss me any more. 1t would be funny if she
should hug me as she does the dear little baby,
wouldn't it Nanny!'
But Nanny was discreet lasse, so made no
answer, thus avoiding the too common propelsi.
y OF sowing jealousy and discord between step
daughter and dame.
However, the dear little baby did engross
not only all the maternal cares of Mrs. Walsing.
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