The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-10-14


morning wholly, she commenced a letter.
Bridget came TO her door before she had writ
ten half page.
"What shall we have for dinner ma'sm
There sint no marketing come. aud you Ii
NOT tell me what TO get"
'tIave some steaks"
1--WE haiu'l got any,"
"WeiI, will send out for some."
Now, there was no one TO send hot Amy, an,
Ms James knew il. With sigh she pu
away her letter and went into the nnrsery.
Amy, Mr.. James has forgotten the mar
keiing. Iwsh YOU would run over TO the pro
vision store end order some beefs,eak; I will
stay with the baby"
Amy was none too well pleased TO be sen
on this erranG. Sho remarked ..that she mus
first change her dress"
BE as quick as possible, then." said Mrs
James, "for am particularly engaged thi
mo, ming"
Amy neither oJeyed nor disobeyed; bu
managed TO take her own line la reality, ihougl
without any direct determination to do So
Mrs. James thinking she might get along
sentence or two in the nursery, took her German
| book in; but 10 this rangemenr Charley would
by no means consent; Mamma must show him
| the kitties in the hook whether there or not II
was all one to him-but amused he must be.
Halt her second days time IF trial was gone,
when Amy came in; and with sigh Mrs
James returned 10 her room. Before one o
clock she had been called down into the kitchen
twice on some important business relating TO
the dinner. and for this day not one en,i'e page
Of a letter had been written.
On the third morning she rose early, made
every provision for dinner and for the cunfort
Of the f,mily which she deemed necessary. and
elevated by success, in good spirit and with
good courage she entered her study precisely
at eleven O'Clock. Now she was to have fine
time oft. Her books were opened and a
hard lesson summoned to the conflict
Scarcely had she read line when she heard
the door-beIl ring.
"Somebody wants 10 see you 10 the par'or,
Mrs. James Z"
"Tell them am engaged. Bridget"
IL told them you were 10 home. ma'an, and
they gave me their names, but did not exact.
y understand"
Mrs. James was obliged 10 go-to smile
when she fell sober. 10 be social when her
thoughts were elsewhere. Her friends, how
ever, serred TO End her agreeable. for they
made a long call; and when they rose to 60,
others came. So in The most unsatisfactory
chit chat all This morning went. ,.
On the next day Mr.. James invited compa-
up the morning TO preparing for il. and did moi
enter her study. On the day following she
was obliged 10 keen her bed with sick head
ache; and on Saturday. Amy having extra work
to do. the charge Of the baby devulsed upon
her. Thus passed the first week.
Truly to her promise. Mrs. James patiently
persevered for month in her efforts 10 secure
to herself this fragment Of her broken time.
WIN success C., soss. see closed The noiT December
Being particularly occupied on the last day Of
the old year in getting ready for the morrow's
festival. il was near the last hour Of the day
when she made her good nights call 10 the
nursery. She went 10 rhe crib 10 look at the
baby: there he lay fast asleep in his innocence
and beauty. She kissed his rosy cheek gently,
end stacked gentally his golden hair, and press
ing his lille dimpled hands within hers, she
drew the warm cove ering more closely around
him, carefully fuckine il in, then stealing ore
more kiss. she left him 10 his sumbers. and
sat dow on her daughters bed. She was al
40 sveeily asleep, with her dolly hugged close
10 her. Her moher smiled, bnt soon il seem
cd as f graver and sadder thoughts filled her
mind as indeed they did. She was thinking
Of her disappointed plans. To see. not only
the pas, month. but The past wear, seemed 10
have been one Of fruiiless effort; il seemed TO
religious meditation had been encrosched up-
on and distracted. She had accomplished
nothing that she could see. butt keep her house
and family: and 10 her saddened thoughts even
this seemed 10 have been but indifferenrly done.
Yearnings for something better Than this she
was conscious OF; unsatisfied loneiogs often
cloudea an other wise bright day for her, and
yet all this seemed 10 lie in a region dim and
misty, which she could not penetrate.
What did she need then? TO see some Of
the results of her life wcrkl To be concious
of some unity Of purpose, some weaving TO
celher Of these ife.threads. now so broken
and single!
She felt, she was quite sure. no desire to
shrink fiom duty. however humble; bnt she
sighed ior some comforting assurance Of what
icds duty. Her pursuits conflicting "a .hey did
what her tastes seemed 10 her frivolous. She
felt there was some better way of living.
which she. from want Of energy Of character
or energy Of principle. had failed of discover
ing. As she leaned over her child, her tears
now fell fast upon that young brow.
How earnestly wished that mother that she
could shield her child from the disappoint-
ments, and self-reproachos, and mistakes, from
which she was then suffering-that the little
might take mp life where she could give IL to
her. mended by all her own experience. 1t
would have been great comfort, could she
have felt tha, she had fought the battle for
both. YET she knew that Il could not be So
that we must all learn For ourselves what those
things arc that make for our peace. With tears
still in her eyes. she gave the good night to the
child, and with soft step entered the adjoining
room. and there fairly kissed out the old year
on annother chubby check which nestled
among the pillows-then she sought her own
resi-
Soon she found herself in a singular place.
She was traversine q vast plain. No tears
were vissble. save those which skirted the dis
tant horrizon--on their tops rested wreath
Of golden clouds. Before her travelling towards
thai distant light, was female. Little chill
dren wero about her sometimes Ia her arms ant
sometimes at her sido. As she journeyed on
she busted herself caring for them. Nov she
soothed them when weary-iow she taught
| them hov Ia travel--apd apina she warned