Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-25

the comparatively humble one she oco,,nied
But though tho affection which she bore her
carly friends and her own dear family wa,
neither changed nor lessened, she could moi
leave what she felt to be her post Of duty, nor
did she wish to do so.
Mr.. Grant never urged her to stay. He had
alluded only once to his wife's request, and that
soon after her death:
I'll have nothing TO offer which can tempt YOU
to remain, said he, ''for my home wills not be
what it was when she was here. Yet Won know
how much, how very much, my children need
you; and il you can feel willing to stay for their
sakes, and that of her who asked it. / shall he
more grateful, and God will bless you for the
act" -.
!. An earnest assurance q Che pleasure which
SHE fcfs IN being permitted tor watch Scr the
children, and in any degree to minister to his
comfort, satisfied him; and from that time the
subject was no more alluded to. Indeed very
little conversation took place between them, for
Mr.. Grant now, seemed to shun the family
circle carefully as he had once soughtit. The
greater portioG OF his time was spent in retifs-
ment and study, and he appeared to have lost
all taste for social enjoyment since she, vino had
frightened every scene to him, had passed a.
way.
| Miss Mason had taken, almost as a matter Of
course, the whole direction Of the household
and he felt no anxiety for worldly things. He
saw his children well and happy, improving in
their education; and, though he superintended a
part OF that educatiorf the general conduct of it
was left to their fond aud efficient governess.
AT first, she was simply teacher Of the little
ones; them as Mrs. Grants health gave way
one duty after another was assumed to relieve
the invalid, till, long before her DEATH she had
under her direction the entire charge of the do
mestic concerns, and, when that took place. she
became the nominal, as she had been before the
real, head of the family
But this was too peaceful and happy state 10
remain altogether undisturbed, and rumors, for
some time in circulation in the congregation of
which she was member and Mr.. Grant Pas
tor, began to reach Miss Mason. She had all
ways looked upon her minister as being apart
from this world, one not TO be spoken of lightly,
nor approached with even the shadow of disre-
spect nor had daily or comparatively familiar /
intercourse with him ever removed this impress
sion from her mind. Words would fail to ex-
press her grief and indignation at hearing, from
one whom she had deemed 2 friend that tho
name of this honored being had been coupled
with her own in light words and lighter tests. |
and that his comparative seclusion from his peo-
pie had been attributed to other causes than |
grief for the wife he so tenderly loved, SO deep
ly lamented.
'An angel from heaven would not escape GEN. /
sure from those who would speak thus of Mr.. 4
Grant, she exclaimed, unable to restrain the /
of her indignation. ''If ever there
was being on earth whose life might challenge (
the closest scrutiny, it is his"
II have no doubt you think So Miss Mason.'' /
said her gratifed informant, smiling malicious /
ly; "but others"
"Others!" she interrupted impatiently. "And /
who knows Mr.. Grant so well as I?'' |,
"No one, certainly; but l was only going to !
observe that they would scarcely think you a ,
Witness"
A whitening reply rose to the lips of the ex- .
cited girl; but she felt that it was worse than !
useless TO prOlong the conversation, and. sup- 4
pressing her feelings, directed it to another |,
channel; and the lady visitor, having succeeded /.
in the object Of her call, and obtained fresh ma
-erial for gossip soon took her departure, leav-
ing Ella TO thoughts sad and agitated beyond any (
she had ever known before. And vet it was I
rather feeling than thought, for of thought she
was just then scarcely capable; but the emotions
awakened by what she had heard were too pow
erful for control, and, leaning her head on the
lrm of the sofa where she was sitting, she wept
bitterly. Il
From this indulgence of her feelings she was i
'oused by the voice of Mr.. Grant, inquiring, in
ones of surprise and concern, q
"My dear Miss Mason, what is the matterp {
What has occurred to distress you?''
She looked up in much agitation; but, too
highly excited to make any attempt at conceal i
nent, she said, in broken tones, t
"Mr. Grant, must go home" t
"Go home! you have had bad news from B. L
hen. | am very sorry. Are your parents ill?
Dr. what is it that requires your presence?"
at is not that | am needed ,at homes but | Il
'annot stay here any longer. Do not ask me =
Vhy,' shesContinued weeping, "but | must leave
iou." d
"Leave us!' Go away altogetherl Nay, then II
must ask you why. | must know what has
caused this sudden determinaton''
And, seating himself beside her, he. after a !
iBe, succeeded in drawing from her the tale i
which had induced both her emotion and the re- L
'olve she had expressed.
The account was no less surprising TO him g
han it had been to herself, and caused scarcely II
ess pain; Tor he had never imagined that wrong j
could be put upon the seclusion e
which his deep grief had induced. He sat for b
ome time in panied and gloomy silence, think Ia
ng only of what he had heard, and forgetful of S
he effect it would exert on hs desnastie canfert /
hould it drive Ella from his house; till, driving
Ter tears, she said more calmly: Ii
SIT will be better for me to go home as soon h
S possible, Mr.. Grant. If you can procure a
ome one to take my place." f
''To take your place, Miss Masonl" he, said, ID
tarting from his reverie. 81 cannot believe (
hat you are serious. | cannot think that you II
will lei an idle tale this deprive my children of
our care, and turn them second time mother Ii
ess upon the world" IL
"Do not urge me remain" she replied, sadly; b