Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-09-20

but her memory still around my neurt,
Like morning mists has hung.
"Slanitna, Ne,ts has broken salver full OF
coffee cups. I wish she could be punished
for such carelessness, exclaimed Lena Clay
- tichly dressed girl Of sixteen summers, as
she entered the parlor one morning.
"The careless thing p said the beautiful
Mrs. Clay. "I don't know what to do with
her. It's an absolute waste to have her in the
q. h,use."
"Claro," ard the husband, noble looking
man, spoke sternly, "Clara," cannot hear
20 speak thus OF my child. She may be
careless, but she il my child, remember. fGn
should keep another servant girl il YOU wEh
the work done properly. Annetta is young
and unaccustomed TO work."
"Mr. Clay" and the wife's black eyes
'sparked, "Mr. Clay when ! became your
wife supposed that could manage the
household as chose. But find was quite
mistaken. That ugly child Of yours wishes TO
manoee me and Lena both. She is perfectly
disrespeciful. No mother can see her only
child thus treated. But you will not permit
me 10 manage her at all, Mr.. Clay, and !
should be very grateful if you would 10 II
yourself. =,
al never saw o child act as Meta does"
said Lena pettishly" "She acts very strange.
I let her do the ironing last night and she came
s.up about twelve, jus! as came home from
the party, and sat down on the floor ana began
I, cy and make such noise, so JUST rose
and gave her whipping, which sienced her;
Then she began TO read in that old Bibie' and
I never can sleep with light in The ROOM
She will have to sleep in the garret alter THIS.
But uunished her this morning" and the
little iniperious beauty laughed gaily.
During Lena's speech, Mr.. Clays eyes had
flashed more than once, aud he finished hr
breakfast in silence. AS he left the room ht
said to himself, "I can endure this no longer
Clara is my wife, 10 be sure, but Annetia II
also my child.
He paused at The kitchen door and we'll h
might. Upon the cold, hard floor, with he
golden head resting in chair, lay his daugh
Ter Netta. She had been weeping Tor I'M
traces OF tears were on her coiorleSs cheeks
but she was calm now, save the q1lck beat
ina in the veins OF he low, meek brow, AM
tremulous uuivering Of her sweet chill lsh lips
Her small hands redeemed by toi', were care
lessIy clasped together, and small red boo
lay amid the folds Of her plain calico dress.
Meta sprang up afTrighted as she heard In
door pushed open, and her cheeks glove
.rorimson as she hid the book, ia her cket.-
r But ss she saw it was her father, her cheek
nailed sgain and the tears gusbed into her eyes
A tear trembled in the fathers eye as he say
{he worn features OF the fair girish lace, an
abe thinness OF the slender form attired IN
Ilcoarse, ilI-fltiDg costume. "Netla," SAID b
). Aindly as he went up 10 her nd laid his han
on that small head with It's mass Of eolce
'!curls, "Netts, ate'you sick 7" 10" moa
was her only reply. Then he said sgair
"Neita my child, you are pale anu SICK. ie
me what is the matter"
@ Then me fait fragile girl looked up at hi'
q, with those deep blue eyes half yelled .
0lrooping eye-lashes, those deep blue eyes
like those Of her dead molher's which ha
so often uplifted to his. Then she wonndh'
Liihin white arms about his neck, and said IN
low trembling tone, "No, psppa, don t thin
I'm sick but am so weak that can scarce
stand on my feet. Oh, pappa," AMI she sol
bed bitterly. a!4 1 sl
After moments silence Mr.. Clay said &c
up into one OF the .pators and lie down on Il
lounge. Do asI tellsyou, Meta hereafter.
vi. ayes, papa" said Netfa al the same tin
shiverng with terror, "bu: don'i tell me 10
there She will beat me II do.
@f1f".Bea, you, Meta ! Who will beat You do
ding r" asked he teadeFly.
l' Meta hesita;ed a moment and then so
''lsrembliugly---"They said they would beat n
10 death, even if told you Of II. But Dir
Clay, mamma, mean, and Lena whip n
cruelty very day.
"what for Meta :" said he in calm ton
through his eyes flashed fsrcely.
~ Son'l know, pSpa," she fepheu Gnu