The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-12
The Lost and the Living.
~ FANNY FERN.

/ BY FANNY FERN.
"The husbands g,ef may be short and brief
| He may WOO and win anoherj ,....,,.r
But the daughter cIogs VITA unchangips Hsi
| To the imsge OF her mother
Bat fleeing twelve months has passed since The heart
Chat for years had beat against has OWN was forever
sulleI, when Walter Lee brought again laif young
creature 10 share his widowed home NO lsihef nor
mother brother sister. claimed any part OF Tue or
phan heart that he coveted ana won. NO e., expense o.
pains had he spared decorate the mansion for her re-
cepion Old familiar objects, ffaught with tendeIesl as
sociatons had been removed 10 make way Tor The up
holsters choicest fancies There was no picture left
upon the WALL with sweet, sad, mournu eyes, 10 follow
him with silent reproach. Everything fresh and de-
lghtiu as the new born Joy that filled his heart.
"Ny dear Edith" SAID he fondly pushing back the hair
from her forehead, "lhee should be shadow in her
pathway, but have red in vain TO induce Nelly 10 give
you the welcome you deserve however. she shall moi
annoy you shall compel her 10 stay In the nursery I'LL
she yields to my wishes"
"oh, no don't do that" said the young s,ep-mothe
anxlously; g. think understand her. Let 20 10 her
dear waller and she ulpped lightly out OF the room and
left him TO himself.
Walter Lee looked after her rereating figure with
lover.hke fondness. The room TO him seemed TO grow
suddenly dark when the door closed after her. Reach
ing out his hand he almost unconsciousy took up book
that lay near him slip OF paper lutered out from be-
tween the leaves, Like white winged messenger. The
Joyous expression of his lace faded into OF deep
row he read it. The handwriting was his chid's
mothers. IL ran thus:
"Oh, to die and be forgotten This warm heart cold
these active limbs slilllhese lips dust. Suns 10 rise
trees around my dear home the merry laugh, the
pleasant circle, and not here The weeds choking the
flowers at my headstone The severed tresses OF sunny
hair forgotten in its envelope, the of happiness 80
soon absorbing the dew drop of sorrow! The cypress
changed The orange reah! On, no; don't quite forget
Close your eyes and bring before you The face
that made sunshine in your home feel again the
twning clasp OF loving arms-the lips that told you (not
in words) how dear you were. Oh, Walter don't quite
iorgei From Nelly's clear eyes let her mothers soul
still speak 10 you. MARY LEE"
Warm tears fell upon the paper as Walter Lee folded
back. He gave himself lime raly and then gded
gently up TO the nursery door II was partially open A
little fairy OF five summers stood in the
middle OF the floor Her tiny face was half hidden in
sunny cus Her little pnatore was full of toys, which
she grasped tightly in either hand.
" No, you not my mamma" said the child. :"
my dead mamma. and am sorry papa brought
you here"
:. Oh. don't say that" said the young step mother;
don't call me mamma if it gives you pain, dear. am
quite willing that you should love your own mamma
better than you do me-
Nelly looked up with pleasant surprise
:" had dear mamma and papa once" she continued
I" and brothers and sisters so many and merry, but
they all dead, and sometimes my heart is very sad
baye no one now TO love me but your papa and YOU.
Neliys eyes began to moisten, and taking out one
after another OF the Little souvenirs and toys from her
and lhis-and this-,hat my dead mamma gave me!
No, indeed, dear Nelly"
And you will let me climb in my papa's lap as used
and put my cheek 10 his and kiss him, and love him
much as ever can, won't you"
s'Yes, my darling"
Walter Lee could bear M more ; his heart was full
What, Marys child pleading with stranger for room
in her fathers heart In the sudden gush of this new
fount OF tenderness bad he forgotten overlooked the
claims OF their helpless little one God forbid "From
Nellys clear eyes let her mothers soul still speak 10
you." Aye and it did. When next Walter Lee met his
bride, il with chasened ENTHUSIASTICALLY loving
little heart pressed closely against his He was
again her papa y nor he did no" quite forget"