The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-05
For the National Era.
A / GAL ME AS u RE
BY LIZZIE LINN.
lcONCLrnEn.1

lcoNcLUDED.l
On another occasion she felt sure that some
legal transaction took place; but, presumine
that it related to Mr.. Carroll's estate, delicacy
forbade her to inquire, and caused her also tc
. absent herself till it was accomplished For
tunate for her, that she could not look into the
heart of the General that evening, as he left
her house. 1t cannot be denied that he felt sad
at the prospect of the immediate dissolution OF
his brother; but he gowed with enthusiasm
IN the contemplation of the object he had cev.
eted. Yes, she is mine she is mine!" be
said to himself; "and will cherish her as life's
greatest blessing. l might have adopted some
other child, but Annie is of my own kin. What
care l for the ragamufins in poorhouses and
asylums? The blood of Carroll warns he,
cheek and fires her eye"
The sick man continued but short time
after this event. In few hours he took leave
of his family, folded his arms meekly upon his
breast, and slept the sleep that knows no wa
king. When husband and father is taken
away, who can measure the void that is left I?
He is dead !" constantly repeated the wife to
HERSELF and with that thought darkness encom-
passed her round, and the path she knew she
must tread was hidden in gloom. For her the
earth then lost it's beauty, and her song of
gladness became as forgotten thing.
1t was decided that Annie should not see her
father after his decease-Mrs. Carroll wished
| her to remember him as when alive-conse-
quently, she was taken home with her uncle.
The General was sincere mourner at the
grave of the departed, and manifested fraternal
interest in the bereaved family. To him alone
did the disconsolate widow look for counsel :;
she deemed him her best earthly friend. Alas
that the faith she cherished, should crush her
by its fall!
| The noble
| But ,rih his last attempt he wipd it out"
| Before he left, after the sad obsequies, Mrs.
Carroll expressed the wish that Annie should
be sent home that evening.
"'Twill be an ugly thing to manage" thought
he, on his way homeward ~ declare don't
know how to do it. The woman will be very
unreasonable, / fear"
The mother sat in her solitary apartment,
supporting the reclining form of Nell, and anx-
iously waiting the return of Annie till the even
ing closed around her; and as the shadows of
the outer world grew deeper, so dsepened o.
shadows upon her stricken heart. She felt
that she could not sleep, without folding to her
bosom her only hope-for that sweet child was
the single ray that broke through the night of
| her desolation.
While the mother was thus bemoaning the
child, she, in turn, was sorrowing for the parent
4
home that evening, and servant was ordered
| by his wife to undress the child, and put her to
bed. This was new experience to Annie
to be handled rather roughly by a strange wo-
man; to hear no kind and familiar voice; to 90
to bed alone, and in a strange place, was too
much The dear little lamb uttered one pite-
Gus plaint and broke into uncomfortable grief
| The servant, in her coarse and bungling way,
attempted to comfort the child, and ended by
telling her that her father was dead, and buried
| IN the ground; and if she didn't keep still, an
old black man would come and get her; and
other frightful stories, that wrought the mind of
the child into violent agitation.
| The hireling soon betook herself to the
kitchen, and Annie was left alone She trembled
with grief and fear; and as the horrible spectre
the servant had injured rose before her, she
screamed with terror. Creeping lower into the
| bed, and drawing the clothes over her for pro-
lection, she thus muffied the cries and sobs that
would otherwise have filled the house. Utter
exhaustion was followed by repose, which was
| broken by signs, and apparently frightful Wis
| ions. And this was Armies first night in the
| care of her Aunt Sarah, who had consented to
her adoption. The servant duly reported the
trouble she had with her, TO which Mrs Carroll
impatiently replied, She'll get over it, guess :;
let her cry it OUT" and then resumed the
thrilling narrative Of some other orphaned
child, which brought with it the luxury of tears.
The mother was grieved and perplexed at
the continued absence of Annie, and during
the following day sent note, inquiring if she
was i'll and, if not, demanding her immediate
| return. But she came not and another night
was passed in suspense and uneasiness. On
| the morning of the third day, though scarcely
| able to leave her home, the mother went in
person to inquire the cause, and to see her dar-
ling.
The General had just finished his coffee as
she arrived, and with his usual urbanity made
her welcome, and invited her into the library
"Where is Annie ~ asked the mother; I" is
she sick?"
"No she is not sick"
A strong presentiment of evil brooded over
the mother, and she looked at him inauiringly,
| and very earnestly. Presently he added, ~
think it not best for you to see her."
Not best for me to see my child What
do you mean? Explain YOURSELF" urged the
excited woman.
II would rather you would learn from the
lips of another what measures have been taken
to secure the welfare of Annie; but the time
for explanation seems to have come" The
General hesitated. He could command an
army; or quell riot, or distrain the goods of a
debtor, with as much calmness and unconcern
as most OF men Out 10 rod q mOLner OF her
child, needed more nerve than these. But
I" new occasions teach new duties" thought he,
as he summoned all the strength within him, to
proceed.
"Previons to the decesse of my lamented
brother, his mind was much troubled In regard
to the future prospects of his family; and /
agreed with him to adopt Annie, as my own
child. Hear me through" continued he, as
the bewildered mother attempted to speak. IL
know what you will say, and you will pardon
me for anticipating. You were not consulted,
| for we feared you might make it matter of
feeling rather than Judgment, and your consent
was wholly unnecessary to the validity OF the
contract. Thinking you might have illjudging
| counsellors, who should urge the adoption of
measures for the recovery of the child, we exc
| cuted articles of agreement, and took also
deposition from his attending physician; conse-
quently, the legality of the proceeding no ad-
| WISER will dare to question. Now, my dear
madam, this has been done with no desire to
distress or to injure you, but for your good, and
her good also. know that my brother left a
competence for you all but have wealth, /
| have-well, let that pass--I can give Annie
advantages that you cannot"
| Interrupting this last sentence was a stihed
moan, SO full of bitterness, that it startled the
strong man from the position in which he had