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

Oe tne measles, ana tnat lew n0urS WOuI(
!, decide. My father asked if he would re-
J commend Nelly and l TO leave the house
The doctor would not hear of it. The bes
thing for US was to have them now, as the
season was favorable, and he approved
OF children's having them, if possible, wher
young. Frank was delirious all night
The Doctor came early, and seemed very
anxious.
"But, it is useless to dwell on the details
He was dangerously i'll, and my step-mo-
ther nursed HIM night and day. at length
the Doctor pronounced him out of danger,
and said he only required her care. After
he had gone, Frank complained that bis
pillows were not comfortable; my step
mother raised his head, but, not pleasing
him, said
"'Support yourself, by clasping your
arms round my neck. 1 can then have
both hands free, dear Frank"
ale did SO, and after making the de-
sired change, instead of oosenng his hold,
he drew her face to his, saying
"'You could not do more for me if was
your own son.
"'I certainly think could not love you
more, Frank'
"Frank was too weak to do more than
kiss the cheek he still held pressed against
his own, and murmured softly
"My dear mothern
"Her eyes filled with tears as she turn
ed away but, catching a glimpse OF me,
as sat crouching in the easy chair, she
said
"'Frank here Is Annie come to con-
graduate you.'
"Frank looked at me, and my step-mo-
ther, reaching her hand out to mine, drew
Inc towards them. Frank kissed me, and
holding hand of each, he fell asleep
Softly disengaging my hand, she said gently
to me-
"Run away, dear Annie! it too close
in this room for YOU
81 suppose must have looked more gen.
tie than usual, for she kissed me, saying
"Go my dear child
"For the first time, in my life, / return
ed the kiss and then ashamed of having
done so, looked more repelling than ever,
and left the room.
"Nelly next took the measles, but she
had them very lightly; my turn came next,
and was sick indeed.
"Cousln Sally would have constituted
herself my sole nurse; but, my step-mo-
ther would not allow it, nursing Inc with
the same unwearying kindness she bad
nurSed Frank.
"One evening had been asleep, and, on
opening my eyes, found my father in the
room, and in deep conversation with my
step-mother. He was urging her to take
exercise in the open air; he could see that
she was suffering for the want of it, and
that Cousin Sally would take all proper
care of me. 1t was her answer that made
the great impression on me that | have
never forgotten, as / watched her face by
the chaugeful light OF the fire.
"My dear husband! when l married
you, | made vow, so far as it was in my
power, to endeavor to be mother to your
children. Now, do you think II they were
mine in reality, would entrust them,
when i'll, to any one, if were able TO nurse
them, myself? More than that, | think
Annie is beginning 10 love me. Do you
not think that is worth something more
than an inconvenience She would feel
hurt if ! left her now to the care OF any
one. We will soon have her loving us as
we love her.''
"'Not TIL you have sent Cousin Sally
away,' said Frank, starting from my old
hiding-place, the easy chair. Father
come down in the study with me, want
to talk with you,' so saying, he drew bis
astonished auditor out of the room, whilst
my step-mother followed them with looks
OF great amazement, then advancing TO
the bed, she bent down to see If | were
awake. As made no movement and re-
maned silent, she concluded l was sleep
ing, and resumed her seat beside the fire.
sit seemed as il veil had been removed
from my mind. For the first time, l
thought of her, free from prejudice, and |
prayed that God would spare me, that
might love her as she deserved. Still, /
gave no token OF what was passing in my
mind, and false shame prevented me from
saying-'mother ! love you.'
"What passed between my father and
Frank, of course, at the time, / did not
know. All that was told me was, the
Doctor had ordered change of air, and, as
my step-mother came from Southern city,
it was proposed TO pay her relations visit.
We were all to go. My father would eS-
cort US there and bring us back. 1t seemed
to surprise them that | consented so will
lingly to go, as no one had any idea of the
change in my feelings, and could not ven-
ture TO make any demonstration.
"My step-mother seemed radiant with
happiness. She was going to her mother,
and she could show her the new objects of
her love. Frank and Nelly she was SO
fond and so proud Of My faults would be
hidden with the plea of illness. Her mo-
ther, who had objected to the match on ac-
count OF the children, would now see what
Treasures they were.
81 bore the journey very well, and be-
haved so well to the strangers, that when
Nelly and went to bed, my step-mother
praised and thanked me. AS she sat talk
ing to US, before we all knelt down in
prayer, with her arm around me, l took