Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-10-26

sne only wondered where some people go
their assurance; she knew that she must bt
bold and forward piece, for Mr.. Ros
would never have thought OF marrying, /
some one had not put it in his head
Now, she would come and spoil all the
comfort we had but as Mr.. Ross had sale
she cousin Saly,) should do as she pleas.
ed, She meant TO stay and not let the chill
dren be cowed down by any step-mother.
sit was in vain Frank urged that his ia.
ther had spoken of his future wiie's good
temper. Cousin Sally said woman would
be fool to show temper before marriage
she only hoped she would not live to see
Frank change bis mind-which wish did
seem to be exactly sincere.
81 listened to all that was said, as though
1t had been uttered by an oracle, though
did not know much about oracles in those
days, and made up my mind never to like
my step-mother.
"When we were alone, and Frank be-
sought me to wait and see, was only the
more determined TO dislike her, and we
were wretched set during the week that
passed ere their arrival.
"How distinctly" continued Mrs. Carle-
ton, 81 remember the whole scene. 1t
seems but the other day that we were seat
ed in the parlor, awaiting their arrival
The lamps were lighted, and Frank sat
reading or pretending 10 read. Nelly sat
on the floor with her doll, and seemed
afraid of coming in the door by the CLAN
ces she gave. /, with a face swelled from
continual crying,) having tried each seat in
the room, had worked myself in passion
at Franks hardness of heart. He had done
all he could to soothe me, and had left me
from sheer inability to propose any other
plan.
"At last the door opened and my father
entered, leading in a lady. She was about
middle size, plainly, but richly dressed
Frank went forward, but, though l rose, l
remained standing in the same place. The
lady held out her hand, and said
81 have the advantage, Frank have
heard so much about you; feel as if | had
known you long time" 1t was not the
words she spoke, but the manner, that won
Franks heart. 1t said-I have heard
nothing but what does you credit She
appeared to be quite content with the ex-
preston OF his crmsoned face, as he kissed
the hand he held.
"Annie" said my father, but did not
move.
"Annie's head has been SO bad all day."
said Frank, kindly.
"My poor child" said she Sand you
have been sitting up so late for u.s." and she
bent down and kissed my forehead. "You
seem quite teverish," but, turning away, |
threw myself into my fathers arms and
cried bitterly.
Again and again he pressed me to him,
and expressed his sorrow for my headache,
while Frank was assisting his new mother
to make friends with Nelly, who, after one
of those scrutinizng looks that children can
give, allowed herself to be taken on her
lap, and smilingly answered all questions.
Cousin Sally was asked for, and present
ed; but, although she could find no fault
with her reception, yet she declared it was
all make believe, as she undressed me on
going to bed.
"The next day my step-mother made
many attempts to conciliate me, and at last
proposed my showing her the house. |
obeyed, of course, and when we were in
my room, she seated herself, and putting
her arm around me, said
"I am sorry, dear Annie, that you seem
SO unfrendly towards me. | do not Won
der at your reluctance to see any one fill
your mothers place, nor do expect you
TO love me at once. Try, dear Annie, to
look on me as friend, who will do all in
her power TO make you happy. Do not
give way to dislike without cause. 1t not
for my sake, try and love me for your ia
theirs; will you not Z"
81 have often wondered since, how l
could have resisted her pleadings My
feelings were rapidly thawing, when Cou-
sin Sally'S speeches about the deceiltulness
of step-mothers, flashed across my brain,
and to her evident sorrow and surprise, |
turned coldly away.
"How often, since, l have wondered at
her patience, and thought how much she
must have loved my father to have endured
all that made her suffer, and yet never to
complain to him. Was it to be wondered
at that her heart turned to Frank and Nell
ly, who almost adored her. Sometimes,
when obliged by strong sense of duty to
curb and restrain me, / always had ample
revenge in her look of regret, as / turned
away, saying-'lf you were my own mo-
ther you would not do so.'
''Do not imagine, my dear children"
said Mrs. Carleton, ''that ! really thought
so-for, in general, children have keen
sense OF justice but, Cousin Sally always
took my part, and inwardly made use of
the words-'It is easy to see you are not
one of her childIen.' AS to Frank and
Nely's going over TO the enemy, as she
termed it, she regarded it as personal in
suit.
slime passed on-spring had come,
when Frank returned home one day, com
planning of sickness and pain in his head
he threw himself on the sofa, refusing TO
go to bed, as he said he would be sure to
imagine himself very i'll. My step-mother
brought pillows, and gave order that no
visitors should be admitted. Frank was
restless, and complained he could not find
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