The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-05-13
THE LOST AND THE LIVING.
BY FANNY FERN.

The husbands tears may be few and brief,
He may Woo and win another;
But the daughter cIings with unchanging griei
To the image ol her mother!
But fleeting twevemonth had passed
since the heart (that for years had beat a
ganst his OWN was. forever stillcd, when
Walter Lee brought again fair young crea-
ture to share his widowed home. Nor father,
nor mother, nor brother nor sister claimed the
orphan heart that he coveted and won. No
expense or pains had he spared to decorate
the mansion for her reception. Old familiar
objects, fraught with tenderest associations,
had been removed to make way for the up
holsters choicest fancies. There was no
picture left upon the wall, with sweet, sad,
mournful eyes, to follow him with silent re-
proach. Everything was fresh and delight
full as the new born joy that filled his heart
"My dear Edith" said he fondly pushing
back the hair from her forehead; "there sho'd
be no shadow in your pathway, but have
tried in vain to induce Nelly to give you the
welcome you deserve; however she shall not
annoy you. shall compel her to stay in the
nursery till she yields to my wishes
ooh, no! don't do that" said the young
step-mother unxiously: 81 think | understand
her. Let me 90 to her, dear Walter" and
she tript lightly out Of the room and left him
to himself ...... ... ..... ....
| Walter Lee looked after her retreating fig
ure with lover like fondness. The room
seemed to him to grow suddenly darker,
when the door closed after her. Reaching
out his hand, he almost unconsciously took
up book that lay near him. A slip Of paper
6uttered out from between the leaves, like q
white-winged messenger. The joyous ex-
preston of his face faded into one of deeE
sorrow, as he read it. Itran thus:
"Oh to die and be forgotten. This warn,
heart cold-these active limbs still-these
lips dust. Suns to rise and set, flowers to
bloom, the moon to silver leafthe trees 'rount
nv own dear home; the merry laugh, the
pleasant circle, and mot here. The weeds
choking the flowers at my headstone; the sev
cred trees of sunny hair forgotten in lis en-
velope; the sun of happiness so soon absorb
ing the dew-drop of sorrow! The cypress
chanqed for the orange icreaM! Oh no, 10
uOH l VuttC iOiSCts SiOoS gSu' ~ 'O"'S''"'S"
and bring before you the face that once made
sunshine in your home feel again the twin
ing clasp of loving arms; the lips that tolt
you Quot in words) how dear you were. oh
Walter, don't quite forget From Nellie
clear ewes, let her mothers soul still spcal
to you.
"MARY LEE"
Warm tears fell upon the paper as Waite
i Lee folded it back. He gave himself time t.
rally, and then gded gently up to the nurse
nv door. 1t was partially open. A little fair
(, creature, of some five summers, stood in TIN
middle of the floor. Her tiny face was hal
hidden in sunny curls. Her little pinafor
. was full of toys, which she grasped tightl
D in either hand. ,.
"No you are not my mamma" said tn
: child. 81 want my own dead mamma, and
J am sorry papa brought you here"
3 "Oh. don't say that" said the young steT
e mother, "don't call me mamma, if it gives yo
It pain, dear. am quite willing that you shoul
d love your own mamma better than me-"
d Nelly looked up with a pleasant surprls
d 81 had dear mamma and papa once" al
r continued; sand brothers and sisters, so mar
u and SO merry! but they are all dead, and som
N times my heart is very sad; have no one
e love me now but your papa and you" ....
Ii Nellie's eyes began to moisten; and takiI
e, one after another of the little souvenirs al
. toys from her pinafore, she said, sand y
ne won't take away this--and this-and this
IN that my dead mvmma gave mcl' ....
l2l mo indeed, dear Nelie!" ."