The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-12-07
Volume XII.

motioning the nurse. with her charge, to
leave the room, he approached his wife, and
in much less arrogant manner. said,
My dear, new idea has occurred TO me,
which, i'll mistake moi, may be productive
of much good, not only TO ourselves. but also
to those for whom your sympathy appeared
so fooishly urgent. The more | consider Of
my purpose. the better | think OF it. My
brother il seems, has left two little girls-very
well. Now propose taking the youngest OF
these children rs our own
Ills is noble indeed of you, my dear hus-
band, exclaimed Mrs. Oakly.
In lieu OF our own poor Agatha, said Mr..
OakIy.
| Mrs. Oakly screamed, and clasping her
hands, sat pale as marble looking up into the
face Of her husband.
Nay, my dear, said he, taking her hand
with some tenderness, | dare say You will feel
very badly al first, but only consider the ben
efis which will arise lrem the exchange.
Agatha is poor unhappy object. and as
long as she lives. will be sorrow and re-
proach 10 us. IL will be very easy for ne TO
induce this woman. my brothers. wife mean,
TO yield up one of her children 10 NE, upon
Tue COnuttlol tlidl II sllC Will idkc all luluI =
charge Of Agatha, her own shall be brought
up in every tenderness ard luxury, There
is one proviso, however, 10 which | shall re
quire oalh-that is, The transaction is 10 re-
maiu forever secrel-she is never 10 claim
her own child. but on the contrary. 10 acEc
knowledge Agatha as hers.
Mr., Oaaly paused, but his wife made no
reply. Ii reemed rs if surprise and grief had
deprived her Of speech.
We ran pursue our plan The better, he con-
IInued, as We have always kept Agatha St.
cluded liom observation. Ii will he very ca
sy for Us now 10 give out word that she is I'M
der skillul treatment: By degrees we re-
port OF her wonderful! improvement, until al
The end OF some months, or even a year, We
can produce our adopted child in proof OF our
assertions.
But why is it necessary 10 do this, cried
ilrs. Oakly, falteringy, why not keep our
own poor unfortunate, ami al The same time
adopt one or JoIb of your brothers. children
God knows, Alfred, she added, earnestly.
will he mother 10 ibem-l will cherish and
love them: hui, oh, not So Ienderly as my own
poor Agatha!
Nnrsense, nonsense interrupted Mr.. Oak
~, hastily, don't you see how much disgrace
and trouble you vii serve ourself by my
arrangement.
Disgrace, Alfred and from our Innocent
babe?
Fear me. il you please. You will have
the double satisfaction Of knowing that she
will be well provided Tor, and kindly treated,
while al The same time she can never lroub.
you by her agitaiing presence.
Aud 10 such woman us you have desert
bed your brothers wife 10 be, would you con
ide so precious "a trust? said Mrs. Oakly, no.
ping this appeal might arrest her hus bands
views.
Why not? She may be we'll enough for
our purpose; her kindness car secure BY
money. As 10 any refinement or education
il will never be OF much importance 10 Aga
lha. She will never be called upon, il is
likely, for any display Of accomplishments.
poor thing-;o eat, sleep. and read verses III
the Bible, will fill up the II easuTe Of her days
better than any thing else.
This cutting and cruel remark aroused all
the mother. Rising 10 her lcet, she said
WY and empha'ically,
Alfred Oakly can you thus speak lightly
of Your own flesh and blood. Now, shame
upon you. God has given us this unhappy
child; she is our own 10 love and protect.
Were she TIL .veiest babe that ever fond
mother CIR lied TO her heart, / could not love
Aer more. | might be proud OF such an one;
hut Loue-oh, l cOLll not, SO deeply, so ten
DERBY.
Well, there we differ. Mrs. Oakly, i il,
precisely because she is such a child that !
am anxious 10 be rid OF her, replied the heart
less father. Understand me, my dear, l,wish
no harm 10 poor Agatha; it is for her good. |
assure you, that The change should be made
What answer, then have you TO my plan!
That never will consent 10 il, she replied
firmly.
Very .wc!!-you will not. Then il must he
done Without your consent. | am fixed; nei-
ther your reII sal, or your Tears will avail ally
Thing; so you may Us well make up your
mind TO yield, maGahe, without farther ar
gunenI. So saying. Mr.. OahlJ turned cooiv
on his heel a I'd lett tie r, ON.
Now wo 10 The poor witc-fo well did she
know her husbands unfatering determine
lion. If il is possible for woman 10 be too
amiahle, Mrs. Oakly was so; while her hus-
band, far from appreciating such character,
ruled over her like some petty dcspol. HeI
only hope now rested upon the belief thai the
widow could never be induced 10 give up one
Of her children for the unfortunate Agatha.
o, would she were ten times more repul-
sive,-my poor child cried the unhappy
mother, should still love her, but she would
shrink from an object SO unsightly.
To be Continued
A TALE OF HORROR.