Columbia gazette., 1854-05-20

smile plays around her rosy lips. Wha
has caused this: One word. .@Mama
mama! come out and sec me and Rover
play" o ,eea
"Mama! why cont you come, OLE
Bogie has gorn," cried the little voice, ,
and its tiny owner stood in the door
with her long hair flying all over. her
1 face, as if cnyious, it would hide thu
peachy bloom on her cheeks. q
And the little elf climbed up on the
lady's lap and vainly stroye to circle her
neck with tiny, fat arm, and tried te
draw her face down to the ruddy little
lips pouting ready for the expected kiss.
Hardly had the mother raised her face
from the child's caress when the old dog
bouI ded into the room, closely chased
by a boy and girl some two years older
than the little one she held to her bos-
om.a o- s
And with this vison'in his eyes, and
unavailing regrets in his heart, Will
Winkle woke. The sun was shining
brightly on him, the trees waved their
lcafy branches in the spring breeze, the
air was filed with the sweet breath of a
thousand flowers; out even Natures
prodigal display Of beauty brought no
pleasing sensation to his heart. It was
full of sad thoughts Of the loved ones at
home, and of his remissness in the per-
formance of the duties he owed to them.
He turned toward the hotel whose land
lord had furnished the last nights feast,
and left word that his bill should be
made out at once. Then shouldering
his pick and shovel, he marched silently
down to his claim and went to work
i+if@} ''7--
with energy.
When Wills partner came back, he
was astonished to find him at work; but
asked no explanation, and Will was in
no humor to give one. His report a.
bout the lump was bad one. There
was more quartz and less gold in it than
they had supposed; in fact, itwas not
worth more than three hundred dollars.
This was severe blow to Win, as his
expenses Of the night before would more
than swallow up his share.
The next day the mail arrived, bring
ing the following letter for Will. If
his determination had been fixed before,
it was doubly strengthened by its peru
sal.
VIOLET VALLEY, MARCH 90, 1853.
My DEAR HusBAND:-Two steam
ers have arrived since we have heard
from you. 1 will not think you have
not written. I know the letters must
have miscarried. We arc all we'll; lit
tie Emma says: "Tell pa if he don't
come home SOON, III come out after
him. And old Rover is pining away,
looking vainly day after day for your
return. My dear husband, know your
efforts are all for us, and I would not
for the world say word to discourage
you in your toilsome duties; but if your
labor should be unrewarded the home
that will welcome you then will be no
less happy than the one you Quilted
Sometimes I wish that were with you,
but I dread the journey on account Of
the children. The trees you planted
before you left are all growing finely.
Little Emma has named one "Papa's
tree" and says she can tell by it when
you are happy and when you are thinking
of home. From her report, your con-
tentment and domestic thoughts must be
perpetual. Mr.. Usance was here to-day
He will not attempt to collect the inter-
est on the mortgage for three months
yet. The mail closes day sooner than
l had expected, SO I am obliged to cut
my letter short.
All the children send their love, and
if their affection leave a corner of your
heart unoccupied, fill it with that Of your
wife, KATE WINcLE.
twill Winkle worked hard enough
for one man for three months before nc
found his nugget, his labor would have