The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-06-18


Sabbath hymns and prayers were repeated
by childish voices, which struggled up through
tears-there morning after morning were
reverently laid bright fragrant wreaths,
which kept quite fresh till far the hot sum-
mer day, on that shaded mound-and there
innumerable times was the beloved name
kissed in sofrowful emotion, by those warm
lips, which half shrank as they touched the
cold marble, so like her lips when they had
last kissed them.
Thus passed two years over that bereayed
family-over Judge Allston, grown cheer
ful man, though one still marked by great
reserve of manner--oyer his noble daughter
Isabel, happy in the perfect performance Of
her whole duty-and over the children, the
good and beautiful children, whom an an
gel mother might have smiled upon from
Heaven.
1t happened that this third summer of his
widowhood, Judge Allston spent more time
than ever before at the city of s., the
county seat, and the place where lay most
of his professional duties. But it was ru-
Imored that there was an unusual attraction
in that town-One apart from, and quite in
dependent of the claims of business and the
pursuits ofambition. TWAS said the thought
full and dignifed Judge had sometimes been
seen walking and riding with certain tall
and slender woman in deep mourning, pro-
badly a widow, but still young and beauti-
full.
At length an oficious family friend came
to Isabel, and informed her without much
delcacy or circumlocution, of the prevalent
rumors, thus giving her the first inkling oI
a state Of affairs which must have serious
bearing on your own welfare and happiness
her first intimation that she might soon be
called upon to resign her place as stran-
ger-a step mother!-This had been hel
secret fear; to guard against the necessity o.
this, she had struggled with grief and wea-
riness, and manifold discouragements, had
labored uncomplainingly, and prayed with.
out ceasing for patience and strength.
Pale and still listened Isabel, while hel
jealous friend went on, warming momently
with her subject-commenting severely or
i the heartless Vaccinations of 'Fthe widow, y
who, though only poor music teacher, had
oCC IRlSCllJ NlOll ilCI w Sll+
snare'a man of the wealth, and station, and
gears of Judge Allston. Isabel was silent
but she writhed at the thought of herfather
with all his intellect and knowledge of the
world, becoming the dupe of vain, design.
ing woman.
I When her visitor had left, Isabel flew il
her own room, flung herself into chair, ,ant
covering her face with her hands wept a!
she had not wept since the first dark day!
of her sorrow. Isabel had grown up Will
deep peculiar prejudces against step-moth
ers; probably from knowing that the child
hood and girlhood of herown idolized moth
er had been cruelty darkened and suddenec
by the harshness and injustice of step
mother; and now there were bitterness anC
sharp pain in the thought that those deal
children, for she cared little for herself, must
: be subjected to the iron rule of an unlovins
and silent heart.
But she resolutely calmed down the tu
multi of feeling, as she would fain keep her
J trouble from her children while there still
remained a blessed uncertainty. Yet sht
slept little that night, but folded Eddie, hei
babe, closer and closer to her breast, and
wept over him, till his light curls were hea
Wy with her tears.
The next morning, which was Tuesday
while Isabel sat at breakfast with her chill
dren, letter was brought in, directed t
her, 1t was from her father at S.. Isa
bel trcmbled as she read, and at last grew
very pale, and leaned her head on her hand
As she had feared, that the letter containe,
a brief announcement of the approachin!
marriage of her father. There was no nat
ural embarrassment exhibited; there was nj
apology made for this being the first intma
ton to his family of an event ofso great mo
ment to them; such things were not in hi
J way-notin in character. He wrote: "Celili
l Weston, whom have now known nearl
two years, and of whom you may have hear,
me speak, is a noble woman, the only on
whom | consider fully competent to fill you
: dear mothers place
We are to have strictly private wedding
on Saturday morning next, and will be wit
you in the evening. To you Isabel, my dea
!, child, trust need give no charges to shoH
towards Mrs Alston from the first, if no
the tenderness and affection of a daughter
the respect and consideration due the wifi
? lof your father This at least, [ shall exac
from all my children if it be not, as fer
yently hope it will be, given willingly an,
t gracefully"
When Isabel found strength and voice t
read this letter Of her fathers aloud, the un
expected intelligence which'it contained wa
lreceiyed with blank amazement and trouble
silence, This was first broken by the pas
sionate and impetuous little Emma, who ex
claimed with flashing eye and cleaning
teeth, 81 wont have a new motherl | won
) have any mother but Isabel hate tha
Cecilia Weston, and I'll tell her SO the yer,
: first thing! wont let her kiss me, and
wont kiss papa, if he brings her here. Oh
sister don't ask her to take off rthings whel
she comes, and may be she wont stay al
). night
"Hush, hush, darling!' said Isabel, g
think it probable you win like her very much
hear that she is very beautiful woman.
"No, / wont like her / don't believ
she is pretty at all; hut cross, ugly oil
r thing, that will scold me and beat me, anc
make me wear frights of dresses, and ma,
be cut off my curls p
This last moving picture was quite to-
1much for Beauty" and she burst int
tears, covering her ringleted head all W
with her inversed pinafore.
4 Frank, now tall, noble-hearted boy o
fourteen, was calm and manly under thes'
Trying circumstances, but expressed sten
Iresolve, wi ich he clinched by an impressive