The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-06-21

lesson. Christmas is coming, you know;
and you must do your best. Mary, your
eyes are constantly wandering; why will
you not heed what say2 Are you dream
ing9" -
The little one started, cast long
mournful look in the face bent above hers.
and, with deep. oldish sigh. gathered
her brows and resolutely applied herself to
her book.
1 The parlor was beautiful. and well sup.
piled with luxuries. The rich red Of the
coal glow brought out innumerable pic.
lures of rosewood carving, and struck into
vivid light the rare pictures on the walls.
Tiney, a girl with bright black eyes.
set in roguish face, held in her hand a
little silver pencil, with which. though her
mother did not see her, she was making
pictures on the margin OF her books. She
was the child of wealth; any one might
have known that, for the garments folding
over those polished limbs were Of fine and
dainty material. A rich necklace Of coral,
with golden clasps, encircled her neck;
and her little shoes, neatly laced. shone in
a casing Of the brightest kid. The little
girl at her side was not whit the less
beautifully attired; but. from her brow the
innocent joys and loves and sweet sur
prises Of childhood seemed permanently
banished. Even the rose-light of health
looked only dimly through the transparent
cheeks, and her large, sad eyes always
made one think Of something mournful.
A chubby babe, almost ready !or the nur-
sery, laid quietly upon the lounge, drowsi-
ly playing with his blocks, and growing
in an undertone.
"How now"--that voice was all heart
''how long have you been dumb--all OF
you-come; I'm for game-rouse up
look something like life;" and Mr.. East,
man threw his great frame into an easy
chair. holding out his arms for the now
wide. awake baby.
"Tiney. do yov know your lesson?"
"Yes, mamma" answered the child,
hastily concealing the pencil she had
made the plaything.
"And you. Mary?"
mo, mamma. timidly replied the more
conscientious Mary.
''Then you must not expect to play
said Mrs. Eastman, sharper than was her
wont. There, no crying-l'm tired Of it.
/ Don't be harsh to her." exclaimed Mr..
Eastman, softly; "perhaps. she isn't well. y
"Then, if she isn't we'll, she may 60 to
|bed," adedd the lady, impatien,ly; ''but |
know better, she is well-and she will be
well-and she will look like funeral all
the time. Notwithstanding all have done
for her. hate ingratitude."
"Never mind. Molly, you'll try harder
to study youP Butthe
child shrieked convulsively. as his kind
voice touched her heart. aud laying her
he ad low on her hands, sobbed as she had
not for many days.
bitter look crossed Mrs. Eastman's IS
face. Justthen servant came in. Take
Miss Mary to her room-where she can
stay till she feels better she said slernly;
and her husband, who could think Of no
cause for such strange conduct, silently
acquiesced.
i Il shall dislike her by and by, fear. -
said the lady, hall communing with her.
self, 81 don't see what it is-she has eve
|, ry comfort. I'm sure poor Mary. heI
mother, was one Of the most amiable be.
beings that ever lived. How little her child
takes alter her. She is forever weeping
+ Notwithstanding all | can do. I've load
t ed her with toys, and anticipated all bel
wishes, yet she will be sad and miserable
: [ don't understand it. I'm out Of all pa
ri tience."
| An! kind mother and gentle friend, yo,
) know not that little tender heart. Yo,
could no, touch its quivering strings but tt
wake discordant notes. The spirit so sen
4 sitive, shrinking il breath brushed it toe
r iharshly. needed atleast something akin tt
/. a mother's love. 1t yearned for the goot
night kiss; for the arm placed ihvounta
e rily about the slight form; for the gentle
!. pressure sometimes given when least ex
lpected. This, that little sensitive on
d longed form the far dark distance sh
looked back, remembering how il had beel
g with her.
n Tiney and Mary slept in two small, ad
ri Joining chambers. Twice, before bed
i time did Mrs. Eastman send up to know
n If Mary could come to her supper; but th
|. servant returned, saying she was still sir
;. the sulks." she called it-but she did no
O know. So the babe was laid sweetly il
its cradle. Tiney was carefully disrobe'
n before the warm. shining ire-her snow.
l. night-dress put on-and kneeling, with he
e white hands raised, and clasped in thos
Q Iof her mother--her little body swaying I
IS the measure of her goodnight hymn, sh
o happily prepared for slumber.
20! dear, oh! dear. dear" sobbed
1t small, childish voice. twill God please tax
e me home to Heaven?''
]. Mrs. Eastman paused in absolute as
!. tonishment before she entered Mary
|e room. The door was slightly ajar--th
i. full moon laid lovingly over little Mary. j,
le beams Frightening the white objects abor
* the bed. and making her, with her grieyed
upturned face, clasped hands. and stream
d. ing eyes, seem like an angel sorrowin
,e over some mortal's untimely sin.
er "Oh! | am so lonely" sighed the littl
Is thing. still talking to her fatherin Heaven
''this mother don't love mel know sh
is don't-she loves her own little girl, for sh
y; kisses her great deal. and she looks /.
I'd her happy; but, oh! dear God, she, don
It, love me like her-please take me right
to Heaven" $50
!" Mrs. Eastman swallowedh her emotion