The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-09-14

he could not speak his gratitude.
What scene between these two chill.
dren!
That night Alice slept in bed OF down
with soft pillows and silken coverings and
rosy curtains-and win Bennett slept in the
street with u stone step for pillow, and the
bright cold sky for canopy.
Five years! and again Alice Landon sat
dreaming before the pleasant fire in her faith.
er's parlor. Beautiful! the sweet young girl
was beautiful exceedingly. The spiritual
beauty of her gifted soul Illuminated with a
rare fascination of the outward form, which
was itself grace and loveliness and elo-
quence, embodied. Awayward passionate
radiant creatnre--with the most inetfable
sweetness melting over her face like shad-
ow over visible dream and succeeded dis
tnctly by superb and matchless hanghtlness
--and pride, all eloquence, all irresistible
eloquence! Love was her centre, and Pride
was her crown, and a beautiful queen was
she!
The sound oil step in the hall startled
her from her musing, and Alice sprang 10
the door to meet her father as he came home
to his evening freside. lie did not speak
when he entered, nor return the embrace ol
the soft white arms that were entwIned a.
bout his neck. The young girl looked up
in her fathers face, and bright smile that
dimpled her cheek vanished at his stern as
pect, and her red glorious lip cured respect
fully at the coldness with which he received
her caresses. But he needed not the smile
nor the resentment, as he went forward to the
FIRE, and sinking silently into his cushioned
chair pressed his hand upon his brow in pain.
iul thought
Alice did not know what troubled her par.
ent, but she thought that he ought not have
been so cold to her--hs pet, his darling
and her young heart swelled full of bitter
ness, as determined to be Indifferent as
he, she walked like prince across the
apartment, and opening the piano, com
menced lively air, as sparkling and soul
less as possible. GailY the notes spraDg a
way at her light touch, and laughed and
chased each other through their fairy apart
ment; but the stern man spoke not, nor stir
red. Alice began to think that some great
disappointment must have affected her usual
ly kind papa, and sorry that she had been
angry for moment, she changed the care.
ess air to his fagonte piece--an exquisite
y tender and sweet melody.
As the familiar music crept into the caro-
the musng man, he brushed hot tear tron
his cheek.
"Come here, Alice" said he
The bright girl bounded to his side ant
sat down on low ottoman close to hin
smiling up into his face most bewitching
ly.
"Where is your mother this evening, dar
ling?" he asked in a low sad voice, smooth
ling his daughters tresses.
"She has gone to the Fancy Ball, papa
She was dressed for Hersian P.incess--oh
she looked SO proud and beautiful"
A heavy sigh struggled up from the bosom
Of Mr.. Landon.
"Out every evening! her naughty heart i
entirely absorbed IN display and splendor-
unhappy wife--my poor pet child!--I canno
make them SO miserable!" he murmured +
himself.
The small white hand of Alice stole int,
her faher's as she looked at him anxiousl
and wonderlngy, He spread out thos,
slender fingers in his palm, and putting on
arm around her beautiful form he drew he
closer 10 him, and said:
"What would you think if told you tha
these delicate fingers would have to gro'
hard and solid with work, with no harp no
piano for them TO call music front"
81 could not live without my music papa
was the earnest reply; "what makes you as
me! what makes you sad and speak S
mournful, dear papa!" because my dar
ling, they are no longer yours, nor mine
Everything is ost--l have failed--we ar
beggarsH
"Beggars! papa!" repeated the youn
girl, drawing 10 her breath with grasp an
turning very pale.
"hY dear child" moaned the strong ma
IN anguish folding her slight form to his BE-
som coUyulslyeIy.
There was a silence for several moments
and then Alice raised that fearful fac
which lay on his shoulder, aud said wit
touching tenderness:
"Do not grieve SO terribly, papa; not 70
mel shall be happy wherever you are
even if we are poor"
"ro think of sorrow and priva alton 70
such as you, my Alice" murmured the faith
er, "you and your mother! that gayety an
festivity and fattery can be hers no more
that even comfort is hsncefOrth denied Us
that poverty poverty is all!'
"She will be resigned-she will love yo
all the more-as do,my own dear papa,
said the sweet girl, in the effort to enCour
age him; but her own heart failed; she re
membered the golden idol where her moth
cr worshipped.
With clasped hands and mournful bosom
tho parent and child sat together IN silence
waiting the return ofthe absent one. Hour
passed by; and they were at length startle,
by the sound ofthe carriage as 1t drew up a
the door. The gay good night of the lad
and her escort sounded like nockery to thel
hearts. Mr.. Landon turned pale as deatl
, and Alice brushed away The tears from he
cheek, as light step approached the parlol
and the mother stood before them.
She was magnificent woman, and he
rich oriental attire, dark, flashing eyes
brilliant lip and queenly form, made he
seem like the Princess she personateC
Even more than usual admiration had bee
bestowed upon her that evening, and ausb
ed with success and sparkling with triumph
ant pleasure, she stood before those who a
waited her.
"Why' what is this" slie asked, az he
eye fell on the tear stained face other daugt
ter and husband. "Why have you waite
for me! any one dead!"
J Mr.. Landon arose, and meeting his beau
tiful wife, took both Of her hands In hii
and looked earnestly into her face.
"Arabel!" he said in low voice, be com
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