New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-08-23
CHAPTER XXXiV.
lnOther MOtIer and D0uShtey.


M the lat named occupation than the first. she
never changed her artitude unless when any stray
drops OF rain fell Kissing on the smOolderlng emDers
20 raise her head with an awkward attention 10
the wbistiing and pattering outside, and gradually
10 let IL fall again lower and lower and lower as she
sonk into a broodiog state Of thought. IN which the
noises OF the night as incistncty regarded as
is the mOnOtonOus rolling OF sea BY one who SITS
10 content alton on its shore.
There was 10 hgbt in he room that which
the tire afforded Gaung so'lenly from time 10
time like the eve Of fierce beast hall asleep. II
revesled no objects that needed 70 be jealous OF
better display. a heapof rags. a heap Of bones
wr.tcbed bed two or three mutilsted chairs or
stools the black walls aud backer ceiling. We're all
it's winking Brightness shOne upon. AS the OLD wo
man. with gigantic and distorted image OIL hersei
thrown half upon the wall behind her hall upon
the roof above. sat bending over the lew loose
bricks within which II was pebt, on the damp
hearth Of the chimney-for there was no stove
she looked as II she were watching at some witch
altar for favorable token. and bat that the move
ment OF her chatterng jaws and trembling chin was
too frequent and too last for the slow tckenDg OF
the fire 1t would have seemed an illusion wrought
by the light as II came and went upon lace as
fnotionless as the form 70 which II belonged.
n Florence could have stood within the room and
looked upon the original OF the shadow thrown upon
the wall and roof II covered thus over the fre,
glance might have suticed TO recall the figure OF
Good Mrs. Brown nOtWltnstdnOlHg tnht ner Cnllu-
ish recollection OF that terrible old woman was as
grotesque and exaggerated presentment OF the
truth, perhaps as the shadow on the wall. But
Florence was not there 10 look on; and Good Mrs
Brown remained unrecognised, and sat staring at
her fire unObserved
Attracted by a louder sputtering than usual, as
the rain came Kissing down the chimney in little
stream the old woman raised her head Impatient
w. 70 listen afresh And this time she did not drop
II again; for there was a hand upon the door, and
iOotstep IN the room.
WHO'S thatP she said, looking over her
shoulder
lone who brings you news" was the answer in
womans voice.
"Newsl Where 'front.'
Prom abroad
From beyond seas ?" cried the old woman,
starting up.
"Ay from beyond seas
The old woman raked the fire together, hurriedly,
aud gong close TO her visiter who had entered and
shut the door, aud who now stood IN the middle oil
the nom. put her hand upon the drenched CLOAK
and turned the unresistiug figure, so as To have II
In the full hight OF the hre She did not mo what
she had expected whatever that might be Tor she
let the CLOAK 20 again. and uttered queruous cry
Of disappointment aud misery.
What Is the matter T. asked her vlslter
Ono One r. cried the old woman, turning her
face upward with terrible bowl
W hat IL the matter = asked the vister again
1T 3 not my gall' cried the old woman, tossing
up her arms, and clsspIng her hands above her
head. Where my Alice = Where s my hand
some daughter They We been the death OF her!'
They have not been the death Of her yet II
your name s Marwood.' SAID the vlsiier
Have you seen my gal, then !" cried the old
woman. Has she wrote 10 me
She said YOU coaldn tread, returned the other
No more | CAM exclaimed the old woman,
wringing her hands -,
ave yoO no hight herel" said the other, look
ing round the room.
The old woman, mumbling and shaking her head,
and muttering TO herself about her handsome
daughter, brought q candle from cupboard IN the
corner, and thrusung it Into the hre with a tremo
Ing hand, lighted Il with some difficulty and set II
on the table. lts dirty Wick burnt dimly at hrst
being choked Ia its own grease; and when the
bleared eyes and failing sight OF the old woman
could distinguish any thing BY It's light her vlster
was sitting With her arms folded. her eyes turned
DOWN. ard, and handkerchief she had worn upon
her head lying on the table by her side.
"She sent u by werd OF mouth then, my gal
Alice r. mumoled the old woman, after alting tor
some moments. Nv hat did she say 7
Look" returned the visiter.
The Old woman repeated the word IN scared
uncertain way; and, shading her eyes, looked al
the speaker, round the room, and al the speaker
once again
.Ance said look again. mother and the speak
er fixed her eyes uPon her.
Again the old woman looked round the room
aud AZ her vlster, and rOnnd the room once more
Hastily seizlng the candle, and rising irom bel
seat held 1t To the visiters face uttered loud
cry, set down the hight and fell upon her neck
,It'smy gal It's my Alice IL my hand
some daughter living and come back screamed
the old woman rocking herself t. and fro upon IN,
breast toat coldly suffered her embrace. "lG $ my
gal lt'smy Alice! 1t my handsome dsugh
ter living aud cOlne back T. sue screamed again
dropping ON the floor before her, eissping he
knees laying her head against them, and still rock
lag herself ~ aud ITO every frantic demonsrs
tiOn ct which her vitality was capable
Yes mVther. returned Alice, stopping iorwar'
Tor moment and kissing her, but ondesvonne
even In the act 70 disengsge herself from her EN-
brace Il am here at last Let 70, mother lie
so. Get ap, and SIT IN your chair. What soo'
does tins 90 !"
She s come back harder than she went (" crie'
the mother looking up in her taco, and still holdnl
20 her Knees. She don't care for me alter a.
these years, and ali the wretched life I've led !!
Way motherW said Alice. shaking herragse'
skirts 10 detsch the old woman from them; then
are Two sides TO that There have been years 10
me as well as you, aud there has been wretched
ness tor me as well a. yoa. Get up, get up"
Her mother rose aud cred. and wrang her hands
and stood AZ little distance gazing on her. Then
she took the candle again, and going rOaod her
sarvsy ed her from head 10 foot nsk,ng low mos
resumed her chair aud beating Der hands tosethe
10 Kind OF weary tune snd rolling berselt trou
SHE to side continued moaning and wailing to her
self
Alice got up took Oh her wet cloak, and laid
aside That done she sat down as before. and wit
her arms folded, and her eyes gazing al the tre, p
names silently hstealng with contempiaoas las
10 hrr old mother insrticuaEe complsiniDgs.
DID you expect 70 see me return as youthful 1
lwent away, mother p she said al length. tarnir
bsrsyes upon the old woman. DID You think
torcssn lie. like nine. was good Tor good looks !
Oae would believe 50. 70 hear you
1t an, that" cried the mother. SAS know
~
What is it then 2" returned the daughter. ."
had beat be something that don Z lSst. mother,
my way oot Is easier InsG ny way IN
= Hear that exclaimed the mother "After
these years abe threstens 10 desert me in the N
meat VI her coming back again.
Il tell yoa. mother. for the second time the
have been ears for me az well as you" said Alic
Come back harderi ofcOarse have come bas
harder What else did you expect 2"
HARDER to me To her own dear mother
cried the old woman.
IL don 4 know who began 10 harden me. il II
own dear mother didn a. she returned. sitting Wi
her folded arms and knitted brows and compress