The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-09-15

of one so well qualified for the task.
Mrs. billings spirits had been depressed
all day, and though she was glad Of the
information contained in the letter, it had
little power to cheer her. She had taken
sudden and severe cold, and although
she did not apprchend any danger of
being too i'll to perform her daily tasks,
yet there seemed to be vague fore
shadowing Of evil darkened around her.
This was by no means strange, for,
added to the discomfort of what she con-
sidered her slight indisposition, her hus-
baud, for number OF days, had been
unusually moody and morosc.
The day wore sadly away, and when
at its close she had huShcd the little
Alfred to sleep, and placed him in the
cradle, few bright tcar-drops glistcncd
among the folds oil linen which cucirclcd
his rosy face.
81 wish you would give little more
care to your own boy" said Mr. Dilllng,
who entered the room while she was still
bending over Afred-~
am sure," said she, " he is sleep
ing as sweet and quiet as baby can
What more can you want for him ?"
IF he is sleeping sweet and quiet, it
isn't from any care of yours "
1t is unkind for you to say SO. Any
one may see by his looks that he isn't
neglected"
In the morning, Mrs. Dilling was un-
able to rise. Mr.. Dillipg uttered many
complaints, and said soulething about
where there was will there was Il way
He, however, soon found that there is
no rule without some exception. His
wife was evidently in high fever, and
it was necessary that medical aid, and
some one competent to take care Of the
children, should he procured, with as
little delay as possible.
For many days, there was little hope
of her recovery, during which time life
was blank to her. When at last she
was restored to consciousness, she asked
to see the children. The nurse appear
ed much embarrassed by the request,
and succeeded in putting her off, allegingI
that she was so weak that the least ex-
element might prove ipjurious-pcrhaps
fatal to her. Several more days passed,
and still the nurse appeared 10th as ever
that she should see them. At last Mrs
Dilling appealed to her physician, DR.
Holton. He also seemed disturbed, and
said she had better wait little longer.
" Something must be the matter,"'
said Mrs. Dilling. "One or 10th of
them is sick--perhaps dead. Tell me
the truth. Anything can be more easily
borne than this suspense"
L" Your fears 90 beyond the reality,"I
said DR.. Hilton. "The children are
now both well, though one of them, Mr.
Templeton's little nephew, has sustained
a severe injury. The girl who was TAX
ing care Of him let him fall into the fire,
and his left hand was so severely burned,
that there is reason to apprehend that
it must always remain nearly useless.
His left cheek, too, has an ugly scar"
"And Mr.. Templeton put such con-
fidence in me. | am sorry-very sorry"
Your own child is the picture Of
health, so there is some comfort in that"
said the nurse"
"The dear child let me see him.
But must look on the poor Scared one.
first"
The nurse left the room, and soon re-
turned with one of the children, a girl
,welve years old bringing the other.
They had scarcely crossed the threshold,
before MIR. Dlling entered the room, and
past them, approached the bed.
ide of his wife. He bent down, and c
aid in whisper - c
Remember, it is Templeton's boy :"
hat is burnt. If you forget what L tell .
ou, and drop a word to the contrary, !.
'ou will eat the bitter bread of repent
nee as long as your life lasts"
The invalid raised her eyes to his
With a frightened and bewildered q
ook. n
"Don't you understand ?" said he. S,
DR.. Holton, the nurse, and everybody, b
hink it was the little Templeton that a