Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-04-12


a new, pleasant enjoyment, the children, as they
dispatched with hungry avidity their pie. la
"Mary and havn't any home now We had
once before papa died, great way over the sea, !"
answered the boy. r-.s| sr.-- ..'i-
"And where are you going now? and what
brought you and your little sister over the seal"
still farther queried the now interested woman.
"Why you see, ma'am, just before papa died he
called old Tony to hm-now Tony was black,
and always lived with us-'Tony,' said he, 81 am
going to die, and you know have lost every
thing, and the children will be oil alone in the
world. But, Tony, had a sister once that lov-
ed, and she loved me; and thought haV'nt seen
her for great many years, still know she loves
me. if she's living just well as she did when she
and used to go hand in hand through the apple
orchard to school; and Tony, when m dead and
buried, want you to sell the furniture, and take
the money it brings you and carry the children
back to New England. You'll find the name and
place she used to live in paper-which anybody
will read for you-in the drawer there. And,
Tony, when you find her just take Willy and
Mary to her, and tell her was their father; and
that sent them to her on my death-bed, and ask
ed her to be mother to them for my sake. 1t
will be enough, Tony, to tell her that" and Tony
cried real loud and he said, "Massa, i'll forget one
word of what you have said; may God forget me-"
"Well, papa died, and after he was buried Tony
brought me and little sister over the waters
But, before we got here, Tony was taken sick
with the fever, and he died little while after
the ship reached the land, and they. had carried
him on shore. But, just before he died, he called
me to him, and put piece of paper in my hand
"Don't lose it, Willy" he said, "for poor
Tony's gong, and you II have to find the way tc
your aunt's alone. The moneys all spent, too
and they say it's good hundred miles to the
place where she lived. But keep up good heart
and ask the folks the way, and for something tc
eat when you're hungry; and don't walk too many
miles day, cause little sister amt strong. Per-
haps somebody will help you on with ride, or
let you sleep in their house at night. Now don't
forget, Willy; and shake hands the last time with
poor Tony" .... ... .. ....
"After that, we staid at the inn till next day
when they buried Tony; and, when they asked
us what we were going to do, we told them we
were going to our aunt's for papa had sent us to
her, and then they let us go. When we asked
the folks the way they told US, though they al
ways stared, and sometimes shook their heads
We got two rides, and always good place to
sleep. They said our aunt lived round here; but
we got SO tired walking, we had to stop - "a,
"And what was your fathers name!" asked
Miss Stebbins, and somehow; there was chok-
placed on the fountain as she spoke. ...
'Wilam Stebbins; and our aunt's name was
Sally Stebbns. Please maam do you know
her!" ........-...
OFF at that moment: came the seat, and out
leaped fresh, blessed tide of human affection
and fell down upon the barren heart-soil that
grew fertile in moment.
"William! my brother Willam!" cried Miss
Stebbins, as she sprang towards the children with
outstretched arms and tears raining fast down her
cheeks. "Oh, for your sake, will be mother
to them! ..
A year had passed away, college vacation had
come again, and once more cousin Ned was at
our house. In the summer cleaning we went to
walk, and our way lay past Miss Stebbins, cot
tage. AS we drew near the wicket, the sound of
merry child laughter rppled gleefully to our ears,
and moment after, from behind that very rose
tree so disagreeably associated with its owner in
III ~ nloI polJop ha;<o <od
children.
"Come Willy! Mary! you have made wreaths
of my roses until they are well nigh gone. You
must gather volets after this" "Mirabile dtctu"
gave me such blessing long time ago for
pluckng a half wthercd rose from that very
treen
"The very same, cousin Ned" answered; and
then told him of the change which had come
over that harsh woman, of her love, her gentle
ness, and patience for the orphan children of her
brother; and that, after all, there was fountain
very far down in her heart, as there surely was
in everybody's if we could only find it.
"Well, cousin Nelly" said Ned, II do agree
to become a convert to your theory without fur
ther demurring, if you'll promise to tell me where
to Fl ind hidden fountain that lies very far down
in a dear little somebody's heart, and whose pre-
cious waters are gushing only for me-" as-3. 4.
There was glance, half arch, half loving,
from those dark, handsome eyes, which made me
think cousin Ned knew he would not have to 60
very far to find it. ... a... 1a., d.
S1cKNEss.-In sickness the soul begins to
dress herself for Immortality. First she unties
the string of vanity that made her upper gar
ment cleave to the world and sit uneasy. She
puts off the light and fantastic robe of lust and