The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-11
NO. 345.

ambition had been the idol TO which poor
Eddie had given himself living sacrifice II
was hard u say Thy will be done'
But he did say it, a. he lay in chiId-hke
helplessness, not many DAYS after, waiting pa
tiently for the Angel of Death to unlock the
gate of a new life that has no sickness no dis
appointment, no end
planted a laurel on Eddie's grave. and a
sensitive plant beside it--mute emblems of the
spirit that had struggled in the frAil form be
low. Why was he taken p | asked. with
tears, as turned from it the last time; had
the wicked world no need Of his pure spirit
How many hundreds it might have spared be-
fore him Thus we complain, short-sig. led
gropers along the shore Of eternityp
Aunt Hannah paused for the first time, d
sat posing her needles upon her idle 6ng rs
as though buried in reverio. Mary DIRE, g
deep breath, and asked, softly, at last
And what Of your selfwilled boy aunt
your Waltere Did he ever cross your track
againfn
@My WaIterIy exclaimed the old lady
Frightening up. "Yoa shall hear! was
thinking how many years had passed since
my first journey to the Western country. 1t
seems more than twenty; and yet it can hard
ly be" she said, as if reckoning with her eye
fixed on Mary
well twenty years ago was floating
down the Ohio, on fine steamboat that is
line for those days was alone, and rather
adventurous But had an uncomfortable Gu
riosity 10 see the grand old woods of the
West in their glory. They were all around
me then. | suppose should be forced to sail
many long mile beyond the Ohio now a.
days to find the West | was standing by
81 nc Al,
panorama, when little boy, about four years
old, came running by me. His soft hair
streamed back on the wind, and his cheeks
glowed with the delight of having escaped
from his nurse in the cab n.
Frankly" called a shrill voice, and
wooly head was thrust through the cabin door
way = Come here, Frankly, rogue
"'No, no! don't want to- exclaimed Fran
KY rogue in high gee, backing toward the
railing OF the boat, us she pursued him. All
at once he knocked part OF the guard, close
by the gangway, that had been carelessly fast
ened 1t gave way, and stumbling back, he
was just falling over the boats side, when ]
caught his velvet irock by the skirt, and held
him hanging over the dark blue waters
Nurse and child each gave scream loud
enough to bring Grew aud passengers in u body
to our assistance. Among them was young
woman in white dressing gown, with her
long fair hair half braided half streaming, to
her waist. She looked more like startled
sunbeam than anything else, at that moment
rs she bounded through the crowd with
mothers energy and caught her rescued boy
in her arms oh she breathed, folding
him TO her heart The nurse soon told her the
story, and, turning to me- she caught my hand,
and looking up tearfnlly, The said, His father
will bless you for ths Oh could have met
him with one child wantingp Then seeming
10 recover consciousness of her dishabille, she
glided back into her state-roony carrying her
treasure
About an hour afterward as sat studying
the countennces that moved up and down the
cabin, Muster Franky's head peeped from be-
hind curtain, and soon he made his appear
ance in full fastened by one finger to his mo-
ther, who had regained her oomposure. Now,
in a neat travelling dress, with a face above
the order Of common beauty, she seemed a
ps.'ia sen,hodiment Of graceful dignity. The
nurse followed, bringing yearoId baby, with
peachy cheeks, dark-blue eyes, and dimpled
hands.
81 lured the little boy to my side, and asked
his mothers permission to take him upon deck,
| as he seemed restless from confinement.
Certainly can trusthim with you, if you
| will take the trouble of watching him. she
| replied, gratefully Frankly is a sad rogue =
| The smile that dimpled her face as she said
this, annnlled the shake of the head that ac-
companed it.
80 you are u minister's boy, are you q |
asked of the little fellow, after some remark
from him about bis father, whom he expected
to meet ut l. in few hours.
90 Mop said be, shaking his curls archly.
90 What then, doctors boy7'
No, no!' he shouted gleeiuly. Pm a
professors boy, that's what am | want t0
climb that rope tree don't want to sit still'
81 found my task of guardian no very oasy
one; for the little fellow insisted ON being eS-
corted over the whole boat and getting an
swers to u thousand and one droIl questions.
"The supper bell rang aud raw the young
mother escorted to the head Of the long table
by the gentlemanly captain, who, with knot
OF gentlemen, seemed assiduous in attentions
to her. Frankly was called TO her side, and
lost him for time.
:" next caught sight Of his round, curly pate,
cased in blue cap with gold tassel, us he ran
to my side where was standing on deck, and
shouted Here she is, mammal I've oatehed
herr
His mother came forward in bonnet and
shawl, ready for landing at the wharf of the
city we were nearing. A bright glow broke
over her face as she laid her tiny gloved hand
on my arm, and said
"'My husband must see you, madam, If you
will permit me 10 introduce you He will soon
be on board. What name shall give him g
gave her my name.
g. shall always remember it. she said, wit h
energy. Frankly, dear, don't 20 quite so near
the side of the boat. You have made me
tremulbus all day. There papa is coming
soon. Stand by me, and look out for papa
sour boat struck tho wharf soon, and the
hustle and confusion of ladng aud unladipg
began. Suddenly tall gentleman pushed his
way through the army of Irishmen on the pier,
and sprang upon deck with one bound
Frankly clapped his hands and screamed
with delight the baby crowed an echo of his
glee, though It knew not why. The young
wife was already in the arms Of her husband
Lniep he exclaimed, but she did not
speak word. She had forgotten noe, saw,
and feeling myself quite an intruder, ! was
turning away, when she caught my sleeve,
"'Oh! Miss Willis stay Walter, you must
thank this lady, for cannot She has saved
our boy from drowningp
Miss Willis - exclaimed the gentleman.
quickly, selling my hand and scrutinizipg my
face with pair Of keen dark eyes, the same,
the very same My dear lady, what chance
sent you into this quarter Of tho globe Why,
do you not recognise your plague Of school
days, your thorn in tho spirit your culprt'--
"'Can it be Walter R----f asked, staring
at him in kind Of increduious surprise.
Nobody but himself dear Miss Willis, and
rs great rogue a. ever, rs Lizzie there can
testify. But this il no place for parley Come
you are not going on tonight You shall not
Here, fellow, take Of there trunks y he call
Cd 70 porter. u shall settle the question OF
your destiny for tonight leave or no leave,
hias Willis he exclaimed archly, A. he turned
10 search for my trunk. You see Walter r.
has not forgotten bis disregard Of all powers
thai he 4, ~ I