The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-09-25
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tive, her heart sad and sore with the up
braidings of conscience which she had
striven to long to stihe. She brcathed
sweet music into the ears of the little sob
bing creatures who struggled in her arms,
but not a word Of anger escaped from her
pale lips. She felt that she was the gull
ty cause of all her trouble. A little fore
thought, little self-denial, a little dici-
pline Of temper, and all had been well.
1t was long time ere she ventured to
sit down and rock the children, and they
did not soon close their eyes in sleep
They would start and scream, then draw
back such long sighs, that the tears which
trembled in the mothers eyes would food
her checks.
When at last they rested in a sweet
calm slumber, she was at loss how to put
them down to release her weary arms,
without the risk Of new confusion. There
was no one whom she could call upon for
aid. No ore' Yes there was the little
trembling creature whose tender skin still
smarted with the chastisemcnt Of an angry
mother.
'Lizzie,' called the mother, after a
long while, in very low, gentle tone.
The child was quickly beside her.
Bring your little chair, and sit down
close by me, and see if you can draw the
baby on your lap without waking him.
Lizzie did as directed, and the babe
was soon clasped to her heart, her lips
breathed childish words of affection over
its unconscious form.
Very carefully did Mrs Lee lay down
her little Willie, and for some moments
she sat beside him, smoothing gently his
fair brow, twinning his golden locks around
her fingers, and pressing the sottest and
sweetest Of kisses upon his still lips.
Then going to Lizzie, she took from her
arms the sleeping babe, and placing it in
the cradle, bent OYER it, whispering the
fondest terms of endearmcnt.
Sitting down beside it, she covered her
face, and thought grew busy. BY and by,
Lizzie stole quietly to the chair, knelt be-
side, and buried her head in her mothers
lap. Mrs. Lees hands toyed with the
soft brown curls that fell over it in such
rich profusion, and several times pushed
them off the forehead, when the child felt
the mute pressure of her lips. At length
Lizzie looked timidly up, saying in a touch
ing voice.
I am so sorry, mother, T made you so
much trouble, I'll try and never be thirs-
ty again when you are reading.
The mothers heart started she drew
the child to her bosom, embraced it fondly
as though she thought by pressure to still
its painful throbbings Then bearing her
to the bed, she sat her down and hastily
left the room She soon returned with a
glass of water in her hand.
'Thank you, MOTHER said Lizzie, when
she had qucnched her thirst, you will
have good time to read now, for [ shall
go right to sleep
With her eyes brimful of tears, the
mother bent over her child and kissed her
again and again And Lizzie feeling that
she was quite forgiven, and not dreaming
that she had been more sinned against than
shining, threw her arms around her moth
er's neck, and gave back kiss for kiss then
nesting on the warm pillow of her little
brother, she closed her weary eyes, and in
few minutes was sound asleep.
For a long while the mother knelt be-
side the low couch, and when she rose and
sat down again by the stand, she left the
novel where she had dropped it, but took
from her basket an unfinished doll, and
with rapid fingers Piled her needle.
1t was long ere she la d her head up n
her pillow. When she did, the doll, com
pleted and neatly dressed, lay by the side
of Lizzie: the novel, half read, upon the
Lehigh in the stove, handful Of light
ashes.