Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-04-16
nlistellaneous 8 .
The Lost and the Living.
BY FANNY FERN.

He may WOO and win another;
Bat the daughter cliSgs with unchaHging grief
10 the image of her mother
But feeting twelvemonth had passed since
the heart (that for years had beat against his
own) was forever stilled, when Waltev Lee
brought again fair young creature to share
his widowed home Nor father, nor mother,
brother nor sister, claimed any part of the Or
phan 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 pic
ture left upon the wall, with sweet sad, mourn
ful eyes, to follow him with silent reproaCh.
Everything was fresh and delightful as the
new born Joy that filed 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"
"Oh, no! don't do that" said the young
step-mother apxiously: II think understand
her. Let me go to her, dear Walter" and
she tript lightly out of the room and left him
to himself.
Walter Lee looked after her retreatinr ir-
ure with a lover like fondness The room
seemed to him grow suddenly darker,
when the door closed after her. Reaching
out his hand, he almost unconcously took up
3 book that lay near him. A slip of paper
! iluttered out from between the leaves, like a
a white-winged messenger. The Joyous ex
preston of his face faded into one of deep
sorrow, as he read it. 1t ran thus:
'FOh to die, and be forgotten This warm
heart cod-these active limbs still-these
lips dust. Suns to rise and set, flowers to
bloom, the moon to silver leaf the trees round
my own dear home; the merry laugh, the
pleasant circle, and 1 not here The weeds
choking the flowers at my headstone; the sev-
cred tress of sunny hair forgotten in its en-.
velope; the sun Of happiness so soon absorb
ing the dew-drop of sorrow! The cypress
changed for The grange wreah! Oh no, no
don't quits forget! close your eyes sometimes
and bring before you the face that once made
sunshine in your home feel again the twinng
clasp of loving arms; the lips that told yor
(not in words) how dear you were. Oh, Wal
ter don't quite forget! From Nelles clear
eyes, let her mothers soul still speak to you
"MARY LEE"
Warm tears fell upon the paper as Walter
Lee folded it back He gave himself time tC
rally, and then glided gently up to the nurse
ry door. 1t was partially open. A lttl,
fairy creature, Of some five summers, stood il
ba Of ha
half hidden in sunny curls Her little pima
fore was full OF toys which she grasped tight
ly in either hand
mo you are not my mamma" said tht
child. 81 want my own dead mamma,and
am sorry papa brought you here"
ooh, don t say that" said the young step
mother, "don't call me mamma, if il gives yor
pain, dear. am quite willing that you shoult
love your own mamma better than me-"
Nelly looked up with pleasant surprise.
81 had dear mamma and papa once,
she continued; "and brothers and sisters, 81
many and so merry but they are all dead
and sometimes my heart is very sad; hav,
no one to love me now but your papa anc
you"
Nellie's eyes began to moisten; and taking
one after another OF the little souvenirs anC
toys from her pinafore, she said, "And vol
won't take away this--and this-and this
that my dead mama gave me ?"
mo indeed, dear NelleP'
Sand you will let me climb into my papa''
lap, as l used; and put my cheek to his and
kiss him, and love him, as much as ever l can
won't youl"
"Yes yes, my darling"
Walter Lee could hear no more. bis hear
was full.
What! Mary's child pleading with
stranger, for room in fathers heart In thu
sudden gush of this new fountain of tender
ness, had he forgotten or overlooked the claims
of that helpless little one? God forbid !
From Nellie's clear eyes let her mothers SOU
speak to you. Ayel and it did,
When next Walter Lee met his young
bride it was with a chaste tenderness. Mel
lies loving little heart was pressed close
y against his own. He was again her owr
mana No ha did NOT aouita foroas 10