The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-03

"Sit on my knee, Zoe y and she sat.
He drew her arms around hisneck, ard, taking
her face between his venerable palrps, held it,
locking into bnr eres--
"Does thee love Brutus Lion, 2252n
Her eyes fell her cheeks cris 5ned-shc re-
NAMED slent-hc stesdily, lovingly, gazing on
her --------.--
"Does thee Zoeln
She with her deep veneration forced herself to
reply
"Father, on my souls honor | do not know
know the fun depth Of meaning in your lues-
ton, and would not treat II with levity or eva
sion. butt do not k@ogp
Does he love you ~
Yes sir
How do you know p
lie has told me so many, many tines
"When r.
Oh! often; | could not tell you how often
lie was here this morning.
Yes, sirn
Did he tell you he loved you this morning.
ayes, sr,0 rep led Zoe, the blood burning in
her check as though it would take FIRE.
What did he say Zoe" asked the OIL man.
caressingly
Zoe started, unused, grew pale, then fin he'd to
her very brow
"What he sag Zoe n persisted the old man,
strokinq her hair
Father he said-aofLiagi"
The old man looked gravcy in her face
What do you mean, my dlrlirg?9
Zoe was covered with confusion she bowed her
face in his shcltering bosom and he felt the tears
on his neck
"XocW
"Fattcr!3
"Tcll me what IS the matter. my darling
la Zoe seemed overwhelmed %i,h humililton.
,;re could not raise her head or lock him in the
fee lie lifted up her he'd and kissed her ON
the brow. She drew long breath, dashed away
the tears, and, looking at him long aid earnestly
in the face, said
"Father. ! would not deceive you wlmlly-
would ~
No, my darling child
"Thanl you for saying that dear father Yet.
father have ubwiuingly deceived you, because
| first deceived myself You dispclled the illu-
sion by nserg me what did he sat ~ a.--
81 understand it all, my child. The love-tuDed
voice, the loye-beaming eye, speak language
stronger, more eloquent more convincing, than
words-and maideus receive it in all faith And
many m honest and honorable man will hold him
self gultlcss Of The wounded heart that He, only
have won But, Zoe you are thoroughly con-
WINGED that Erutus loves you, and you are not
sure whether you return his affection. How
il that Xoc2D
Dear father | do not love 10 talk ofitn
+" Your heart folds its leaves like the sensitive
plant, even at your fathers touch, dear Zoe
Doe why can YOU not unbosom yourself TO me?
You think me old and cold An, Zoe the heart
that has not done or suffered great wrong is B,rer
old or cold. Child my hair is white snow,
you see. my cheeks arc withered and fallen, and
my eyes are sunkcn and very dim--yet, Zoe, nm
4 IL. IL. =.
and sbrined in that heart is nm image which
is also fountain that keeps it grecn-the
image of dear girl | loved in youth, Zoe,
and have loved all my life She went to
Heaven, child but has not even there forgot
ten me She ministers 10 me often she com
munes with me always II ] were to attempt TO
prove this to you, Zoe. you would think the old
man fnnciful | reveal this 10 give you courage
10 give me your confidence, Zoe that you may
not think youth and old oge white harnnd black
separIre Learts too far for sympathy. Now then
Zoe. tell me- have a motive ar asking you
bow DO you Feel towards this nan?p
"Fmhcr, ! think Of him as Of no one else lie
seems separated and set apart from ell the rest Of
the world Every face and form. however beauii
ful elegant graceful it my be, seems TO me COM
mon vulgar, by the side Uf,bimr
Yet, Ioc, be is not beautiful, elegant, or grace
ml27
am moi h-e"~'rd or q 1901 an iather yet
when be comes INTO the room -
wen
she sanS herYoiee 70 It's lowest tones, ana muir
INJURED
u 'r'nbie an over ana sometimes 'aiK non
sense. without knowing what words am using
And sometimes Zoe, you laugh and talk with
him chetfully ana schSIoiy enough
es- Nr bu'' iA'ber U~ "heh ne CHOOSES
to be gay bat H. IN me MIDST OF that ga'e'y hs
snIiehy s'ops, ana ohIy looks me III 'he Iace,
ihll INTO gravity. me becomes very s'riouS very
solemn. very Te0l 70 me MIrth seems mocK'ry'
laughter seems levity no other mans eye nj
fcct. uy soul go flhsf s..
MS ~ very naintni influence, ~ w. ''"s"
On no. i"'her 1t Is deep sweet solemn
IKE -, y chntch chant
~, ~,
vi I"nrI -
on lo'e hra'1' Lon, ana you c'h he''r
become his wife
"fathT
" her'T. Toe