The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-06-26
The Children and the Novel.
BY MRS. CAROLINE A. souIE.


q .Well there mu,tered Mrs Lee, in u
so,ne what petnlant tone, as she laid down
her babe, thank fortune, that the last one Is
abed and asleep. Now for little comfort.
a Carefully drawing the blankets around
he tiny form, che rested one hand for n
ew moments upon the gently heaving
breast, stirred the cradle with the other.
inging the while low lullaby.
Assured from its soft bre atbing, and qui-
u limbs, that it WAS indeed asleep, she
urned from il quickly. drow her low rock
r to the stand, picked up the light, and
ook from underneath miscellaneous pile
b her work. basket, an uncut novel.
'What beautiful title,' said she, all ira
PES Of WEAKNESS vanishing with electric
kapijity from her countennnce. As her
keye glanced over its pages, the dull look
&hcy Ind worn all day disappeared, and the
light of anticipated JOY flashed in its stead
q know that shall be pleased with it.
feel that il vii! be interesting continued
lhe. 'What charming names tho author
ss chosen. None of your Johns and
Iannahs, your Roberts md Margarets-
ph no! here is noble Rodrigo, poetic Clar-
ence, sweet Florilla, sanity Therese-wh
there is not an ordinary name in the book.
Tine writer must be one OF unusual taste!
Having hastily cut the leaves, she sha,
Eded her brow with one hand, grasped the
charming book with the other, as though il
were polished gold and she a miser, and
4 commenced, in the phrase Of enthusiastic
novel readers. TO devour the pages.
Rapidly did her eyes run over the first
chapter. But thcn-she turned her head
with quick, imps,ien, movement Did
she not hear noise in The cradle? Yes.
little hand was lifted from beneath the
cover.
TOO bad, too bad; he'll be awake Ill the
evening now;' and she glided with a noise
less step to the child's side.
BIT the evelids were still closed-,he
measured breath Of slumber stole gently
from the h,lfparted lips. and the offending
hand rested in quiet beauty upon the soft
neck.
1t was n fair, sweet babe, whose little
heart had ihrobbed but one short summer
As il Law there, the spell Of sinless sleer
upon his brow, it seemed the type of all
things pure and blest. Eden with nll ls
lovcliness, never charmed the gaze Of Eve
with such picture The holier feelings
Of the mothers breast were touched, as il
by hand from heaven. The angel began
10 trouble the deep waters Of her soul ms
she stood beside that cradle bed; and when,
htter vigil of several moments, the child
still sleeping, she bent her head and i'm
printed upon its lips the kiss Of love, the
healing wave flowed for an instant, then
ebbed, for the move! was not vet read.
Resuming her seat, Mrs. Lee again took
her book. But the fiction seemed to have
lost some ofits fascination. For some time
her glass vacila,ed between its fnel,
printed pages and her heaped up basket
.She even put on her thmble and threaded
needle. But moonlight scene, where
in honeysuckle bower, the noble love
draws trembling girl to his bosom, ant
pours into her ears the bewitching words
OF wild courtship, acted like magic on the
reader's mind, and she became absorbed il
the glowing picture.
The second and third chapters were soon
perused, and she was entering with inter
est upon the fourth, when a sweet voice
from her trundle bed called out, 'molher
mother, mother.'
Her ear caught the sound, but il made
no impression upon her mind till it hat
been several times repeated; then turning
quickly, in no very gentle voice she eX
claimed, 'what do you want, Lizzie!
thought you were asleep on hour ago.
Il i have been asleep, MOTHER answered
the daughter, in timid tone. i walked u
because'--
Because you were naughty girl ant
wanted TO plague me. Strange that
can't have a minutes comfort and going
hastily to the bed, sho drew the clothes
around the child, and made her shut hel
eyes and 60 to sleep.
Il want drink, mother; can't sleep
am SO thirsty
The mother looked around; there wa
neither pitcher nor glass in the room.
Its always just so. never forget te
bring up water but you are sure to want
some. Why didn't you drink last night
when had whole pitcher full for you?'
i wasn't thirsty last night. Do please
give me drink and I'll 60 right to sleep
Im not going to run down stairs to
night; so just turn ovar and shut your
eyes